Funny in places, but mostly silly throughout! 5/10

Rating: 5/10 (3 October 2016)

Review: I'm really in two minds about this film, because the acting from Russell Crowe (Jackson Healy) and Ryan Gosling (Holland March), was brilliant and the chemistry between the two A-List actors was superb but the movie seemed really far fetched and the storyline wasn't that great. The witty script also seemed more silly than funny but there was some scenes that made me chuckle. With that aside, you do end up sticking with the film, because you really don't know which way the plot is going to turn but they did seem like the dumbest detectives on earth. March did have a couple of "light bulb" moments, which were completely out of character but most of the time, he was all over the place, and I haven't got a clue why he kept on taking his little girl to dangerous situations. I did like the cinematography, which had a 70's backdrop, and the clothes and outrageous parties were great but I personally was expecting more from the film. The, somewhat, overweight Crowe, was great in the action scenes and he did show some emotion in the movie, so it's a watchable film but the director missed the chance to make something really special. He could have easily made a "Bad Boys" type movie, without the silly jokes and outrageous scenes, which is why it didn't smash the box office. If they decide to release a sequel, they really need to make the storyline more believable, because Healy & March did make a fool out of themselves through most of this movie. Watchable!
Round-Up: Although I found this film to be like a long Laurel & Hardy sketch, it's definitely unique in a lot of ways but there was some similarities to director, Shane Black's first movie, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which also had the same type of buddy storyline, with Robert Downey Jr. & Val Kilmer in the lead. The 54 year old director also brought you Iron Man 3 in 2013 and he is due to direct the Predator, which will be released in 2018, so he hasn't had a lot of experience behind the camera. He did write the Lethal Weapon movies, along with Last Action Hero and The Long Kiss Goodnight, so he has a reputation of writing comedic, action movies, which usually have a great cast. Judging by his previous movies, I personally don't think that he would have been my first choice to bring Predator back to the big screen but he has been pretty impressive when it comes to the action department, so I just hope that he doesn't make a mockery out of the all time classic.
Budget: $50million Worldwide Gross: $57.3million
I recommend this movie to people who are into their action/crime/comedies, starring Russell Crowe, Ryan Gosling, Angourie Rice, Matt Bomer, Keith David, Kim Basinger, Margaret Qualley and Lois Smith. 5/10