Review: 2 Guns

Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg have just robbed a New Mexico bank, but are a little worried when the $3 million they were informed was in the vault, turns out to be a shitload more. Also, they are each unaware that the other one is a Federal agent of some sort, Wahlberg an NCIS man, Denzel is DEA. Apparently the idea was to use the robbery to nab Mexican drug lord Edward James Olmos, with each man assuming the other is a crook they could also bring to justice. Needless to say, when they find out who each other works for, they feel stupid. But it gets worse than that. The money actually belongs to corrupt CIA operative Bill Paxton, and when he finds out that someone has stolen his money, fingers are set to be broken. Paula Patton is Denzel’s DEA handler, whom he is sleeping with (lucky bastard!), and James Marsden is Wahlberg’s superior, whilst Fred Ward appears briefly as a Navy Admiral, to remind everyone that the veteran character actor isn’t dead. Robert John Burke appears early as Denzel’s boss.

 

Although I hate the title for more than one reason (It doesn’t fit the film, for instance), and although it’s never quite as substantial as you feel the cast warrants, this 2013 action/comedy from director Baltasar Kormakur (the previous “Contraband”, with Wahlberg) and writer Blake Masters (TV’s “Law & Order: Los Angeles”, and the critically acclaimed “Brotherhood”) is pretty easy action movie entertainment. I was surprised that TV writer Masters was credited as screenwriter here, you’d swear this classic action/buddy movie set-up was the handiwork of either Shane Black (“Lethal Weapon”) or Steven E. de Souza (“Commando”, “Die Hard”, “48HRS”, “The Running Man”), perhaps something the late Tony Scott (the underrated “Enemy of the State”, Denzel’s “Unstoppable”) might’ve tackled, even, as director. The notion of two feds who don’t know the other one is a fed, is clever stuff and the film is pretty damn cynical in its depiction of intelligence agencies and the like.

 

The top-notch cast really does give this one a boost. We all know what Denzel is capable of, but Mark Wahlberg it has to be said, plays cocky but dumb really, really well. The banter between the two is really enjoyable and natural. Paula Patton, however, is just sensational. And naked. That second point is pretty important, believe me. Robin Thicke, you are so very well-named. What an idiot. Yes, that’s a bit of a personal attack, but c’mon, it really, really, really needs to be said.

 

Even the smaller roles provide fun here, though Fred Ward probably deserved another scene or two. Where the hell has he been these last ten years or so anyway? Edward James Olmos as essentially the film’s main villain, hasn’t had a better role than this in decades, perhaps cast somewhat against type (At least to someone who best recalls him from “Stand and Deliver” and “Blade Runner”). James Marsden proves the biggest surprise of all, never better than here playing Wahlberg’s arsehole boss. I’ve never thought much of him, but he’s terrific here. Also somewhat surprising is the one and only Bill Paxton. There’s some characteristic Paxton douchiness to his character, but Paxton plays things straighter and meaner than you might expect, and does rather well with it. I prefer the ‘Wild Bill’ Paxton of “Weird Science”, “Aliens”, “Near Dark”, and “True Lies”, personally, but he’s still good.

 

The only problem with the whole film is that it’s wildly and incredibly ricockulous when you think about it. I’d advise against much thought, though, and ultimately it’s not a major flaw. This may not reinvent the action movie wheel in the slightest, but with this collection of stars and a fun concept, it really doesn’t matter. It’s lots of fun, and sometimes fun is enough.

 

Rating: B-