A cop drama that doesn't rely on car chases?!?!

Rating: 8/10 (25 November 2003)

Yep, it's true. LAC is a good old fashioned cop drama/whodunnit with excellent performances from all the cast. It's difficult to imagine how such a great cast was assembled, but I'm glad they managed it. Though Crowe and Pearce were hardly superstars then, this film certainly did their respective careers no end of good.
Things which make this a great cop film:
1/ Eddie Murphy isn't in it.
2/ There's no stupid ass wisecracks.
3/ The acting is first rate from ALL the cast.
4/ The plot is engaging.
5/ It HAS a plot!
To say much about the movie would tend to give away too much of the plot, so suffice to say its worth watching if you want your brain cells stimulated a little. One or two plot elements are a bit obvious, but as with any good film, this becomes something you wait for eagerly to confirm your suspicions, not something you just shake your head at sadly.
Although there are no car chases, there is a first rate shootout towards the end of the movie which alone is worth watching the movie for. Add in the plot and great cast and you have a fantastic movie, well deserving of its place in the IMDb top 50.