The Other Guys

****
Release Date: September 17th 2010

Two mismatched New York City detectives seize an opportunity to step up like the city's top cops whom they idolize -- only things don't quite go as planned.

Director: Adam McKay (Step Brothers, Talladega Nights, Anchorman)

Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Steve Coogan, Eva Mendes, Samuel L. Jackson, Dwayne Johnson

One of Will Ferrell's better films, The Other Guys works mainly because the two out-of-place heroes Allen (Ferrell) and Terry (Wahlberg) have little in common, but has effective results.

This is the fourth time Adam McKay and Will Ferrell have collaborated together (the other three being Anchorman, Talladega Nights and Step Brothers) and it is by far their most lucid and entertaining. Allen Gamble is your stereotypical desk-jockey working for New York police who enjoys his rather feeble, monotonous life. Terry on the other hand, was forced in to desk work after accidentally shooting real-life baseball played Derek Jeter. Terry's anger is set off by the little things. He's held back because there are others that do their job successfully, or with more flare. 'I'm like a peacock, you gotta let me fly' he says on occasions.

Allen and Terry have their chance to shine when Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) and Danson (Dwayne Johnson) make an unforeseeable exit. It's up to the other guys to bite the bullet and (somehow) carry on their legacy.

The plot is what let's The Other Guys down slightly. All we ever know is David Ershon (Steve Coogan), a big money businessman, is involved in an investment scam who owes a lot of people extortionate amounts of money. This is no major fault, as fantastic one-liners and witty scenes fill that broken void. Big credit goes to Mark Wahlberg on his comedy acting debut, who has all greatest quotes that stick in the mind for years to come. Terry once describes Allen's farts sounding 'like a baby blowing out birthday candles.'

The Other Guys has plenty of action, thrills and bold courage that the other three Ferrell/McKay films lack. If they were to remove the comedy, TOG would still make a great action film.

Overview: Will Ferrell holds that Marmite factor very close to heart. If you don't like most of his films, this would be the one to you think differently.