poster by Gravillis Inc
2 Guns (2013)
Starring: Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton
Writers: Blake Masters (Screenplay), Steven Grant (Graphic Novel)
Director: Baltasar Kormákur
Synopsis (Universal):
When an attempt to bring down a drug
cartel blows up in their faces, two undercover operatives are forced
to go on the run together, though neither knows that the other is a
federal agent. Suddenly, everyone on both sides of the law wants them
dead, and their only hope is to trust each other.
Review:
2 Guns wasn't really a movie I was
seeking out. Don't get me wrong; I love action films. I REALLY love
buddy action films. And hell, I even dig Denzel Washington and Mark
Wahlberg. So I have no excuse. At the end of the day, it just
looked like a film already made a hundred times over, but with
different actors. But I
was ultimately entertained.
Apparently, 2 Guns is based on a
graphic novel from Steven Grant and Boom! Studios. Me having absolutely zero knowledge
of this should show you just how behind I am on my comic reading. I
mainly keep up with The Walking Dead, and find out about
other comics way later down the road. Kinda sad. Anyway, I can't talk
about whether this movie adaptation is faithful or if it does its own
thing. What I can say is if it has any similarities to the comic,
then said comic is probably a pretty fun read. As a movie, 2 Guns moves along
at a pretty exciting pace, slowing down here and there to build a
dynamic between the two leads (Washington & Wahlberg) and to show
us how big of a baddie our antagonist is. It's your basic story,
nothing too terribly original. Good guys take money from bad guys.
Bad guys get pissed and come looking for it. There are some twists in
the plot, though, they aren't really hard to figure out. But hey,
credit for trying.
The action here is really top notch.
Dudes fighting, shooting at each other, car chasing, crashing through
windows, exploding shit... it has all the tropes of a good buddy
flick. So if you're a person who never tires of these ingredients,
then you'll probably at least be cheering on. The vehicle pursuit
around the mid mark of the film is a high point, featuring trucks.
Additionally, the finale is bonkers and it doesn't really let up at
all, for at least a good fifteen minutes.
2 Guns definitely has a lot of familiar
faces fitting into their characters. Robert John Burke (Dust Devil,
Robocop 3), Edward James Olmos, James Marsden, Fred Ward, Paula
Patton... but Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, and Bill Paxton are
the three who really got their A-game on. I hear and see a lot of
hate when it comes to Wahlberg and I just can't jump on that boat.
Been a fan since Boogie Nights –since the Funky Bunch, if we're
being honest here. Sure, he does some movies that are pretty
ridiculous, and some that I just totally have no interest in. But
when he's in something I enjoy, a lot of that joy is due to him.
Nothing much can really be said about Denzel Washinton; the guy has a
gift and can pretty much play any type of role with ease. The whole
buddy aspect between Washington and Wahlberg is really fun and the
actors gel together well. It's nothing you haven't seen before. Topsy-turvy relationship. One is the more straight runner, while the other
is a bit unorthodox. But hey, it's a good time, and that's what matters. And Bill Paxton- even when this guy overacts, it's a serious gift of
awesome to the viewer. The less said about his role in 2 Guns, the
better, but he's very good.
Clinton Shorter's music for the film is
about what you'd expect in this type of story. It seems like a lot of
buddy action movies live with those heavy and raw blues type jams,
and 2 Guns is no different. It fits for the atmosphere. Nothing
groundbreaking, but it works. It would have been nice to get some
Lethal Weapon borderline softcore-type horns, but I can't say I'm
dissatisfied with the score.
Final Thoughts:
If you've seen the trailer for 2 Guns,
you probably know whether or not that it's a film you want to check
out. You're not going to be moved by some heavy originality, but it's
a good popcorn action flick.
Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD
Exclusive Blu-ray Combo Pack Features
The Good, The Bad and The Sexy- Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, Edward James Olmos and James Marsden talk about what it was like to play their characters.
Finding the Vibe- Bringing the world of 2 Guns to life.
Living Dangerously- Stuntwork feature.
Blu-ray and DVD Bonus Features
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Undercover and Into Action- Graphic novelist Steven Grand and screenwriter Blake Masters on creating the script.
Commentary- With director Baltasar Kormákur and producer Adam Siegel.
Available Tuesday, November 19th, 2013 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
Order the Combo Pack HERE
Order the DVD HERE
- Eric (Brobocop)
