The LAPD scene by night is a hellhole. Or so, director David Ayer will have you believe.
What's it about: The LAPD scene by night is a hellhole. Or so, director David Ayer will have you believe. Our story begins with Detective Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves), a cop who's still aching from the death of his adulterous wife. 
We see himu00a0 downing airport bottles of vodka before a set-up. Once done and on rescuing a couple of kidnap victims, he plants evidence and makes it look like he saved the day at risk to his life. Of course, this guy is only the brawns.
The brains behind the operation is his ambitious slimebag of a boss, Jack Wander (Forest Whitaker). The Vice City quad has its own bunch of rotten apples, just that our hero doesn't seem to know who they are.
After an ex-partner riles him over racist comments, he just happens to be at the scene of a crime where his one-time friend is gunned down in cold blood. Guilty over having not done a thing to help, he seeks redemption by seeking out the killers. Does he find the bad guys? Should he?u00a0u00a0
What's hot: The cars in this film have a character of their own and ably reflect the personalities of their owners. A few big music industry names make an appearance here (The Game, Common). The film, by and large, is entertaining.
The film is shot quite well. The background score is catchy and blends right in with the narrative. Of the cast, Forest Whitaker drives up the dry script up a few notches with a superb performance. He completely overshadows Keanu Reeves, whom I will reserve comment for, in the next paragraph.u00a0
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What's not: Keanu Reeves gives 'wooden acting' a new meaning. You haven't seen it if you haven't seen this guy sleepwalk his way (with that same expressionless face) all through Speed all the way to this film and The Day The Earth Stood Still.
We're tired of Keanu being the same character over and over again. What saved Neo wasn't the blue pill or the knowledge that he was The One, it was the Wachowski brothers. Sadly, here Keanu has neither James Ellroy (this film's writer) or Training Day screenwriter (and this film's director) David Ayer covering for him.
What to do: If shoot-em-up thrillers is your style, and brainless cop capers don't get you riled, Street Kings might just end up being something you like. Otherwise, just move on, yo!
Street Kings
A; ACTION/CRIME
Dir: David Ayer
Cast: Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, Jay Mohr
**u00bd
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