Product: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans [Blu-ray] (2009)
Rating: 4.0
Very entertaining despite its various flaws
I liked this more than I expected. I generally think Cage is one of the most overrated actors out there, but he kept me interested here, and has moments of near genius. Herzog likewise; he slips a few times but all in all this feels like a good Hollywood crime flick that goes off the rails time and again into a weird zone all its own.There is a massive amount of overt coke use here without the usual celluloid sanitization, and it's a pretty accurate depiction of what a dick that crap usually turns people into. The worst parts are the overlong lizard hallucinations, but then again the best are nearby, when Cage smokes crack and freaks out. He is verrry convincing in those, well able to really let go into briefly psychotic mania, making one wonder how much rock ol' Nick incinerated during the years of his excesses. Those scenes are completely gripping in their intense weirdness, and the black gang members are all very solid and convincing. Whatever plot holes are here, and there are a few, get steamrolled by the intensity of the best scenes.In fact most of the acting here is above average, and except for a few moments of lame dialogue this movie has a raw, real feel that truly does smell like Nawlins, in all its tragic beauty and grime.While no masterpiece, Bad Looey has enough positives and unique vibe to make it well worth watching for fans of Cage, Herzog, The Big Not-So-Easy, bizarre edginess, or cop flicks in general.