Review: 'Bad Company' In Good Company With Actors
Action Buddy Comedy Rocks
UPDATED: 1:17 a.m. EDT June 7, 2002
'Bad Company' (PG-13)
(out of four)
Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock are certainly the oddest couple I could imagine. One is experienced, thoughtful, sophisticated and one of the most talented actors in movies today.
The other is a streetwise comedian who uses vulgarities and his sharp observation of the human condition to reach his audience and make them realize that we are all more alike than different.
The pairing in the new movie "Bad Company" shouldn't work. With Hopkins you might feel like you are getting an intelligent spy thriller without much fun. With Rock you expect a wisecracking guy from the hood who is a fish-out-of-water and all the hilarity that might entail.
Guess what? It works, and it works on all levels. Hopkins and Rock get each other, and play each other like melodic violins. Hopkins' experience and reputation as an actor gives Rock's performance even more weight and Rock lightens Hopkins up - adding a layer of humor to his character.
Oakes (Hopkins) leads a CIA operation that is secretly dealing with a Russian mobster for a nuclear bomb the size of a briefcase. But there are many factions who want the same devastating device. The key to the deal is Michael Turner - the code name for Agent Kevin Poe, played by Chris Rock. Turner is the only person the mobsters will trust to broker the trade.
When Poe is assassinated by a rival group which also wants the bomb, Oakes and his crew have nine days to find his twin brother and train him to be a spy. No mean feat, since neither brother knew that he had a twin and while Poe grew up with privilege, David Hayes (also played by Rock) was raised in a string of foster homes and became an ace ticket scalper and chess hustler.
Director Joel Schumacher knew what he was doing when he cast Hopkins and Rock. In a way, Oakes represents the audience's point of view regarding Hayes. At first dubious, then slowly understanding that while Hayes may at first seem like a goof, he actually has an incredible intelligence and aptitude for adaptation.
It is so much fun to see Hopkins duke it out in the fight scenes like he had been doing it his whole life. On the flipside, Rock can play Hayes as the foulmouthed hustler and the sharp and savvy recruit without ever challenging the reality of the situation or character.
Much of the film is set in Prague and it looks great: just the right place for games of cloak and dagger. The first-rate production values help you get lost in the story.
Schumacher could have lost the scenes with Turner's sexy CNN correspondent girlfriend. They really didn't add to the story, although they did add some significant eye candy for the guys.
However, the director did not skimp on the action. A chase into the woods and through a pasture was so exciting and fun that it could almost give "Raiders of the Lost Ark" a run for its money.
Forget the title, you are in good company with "Bad Company."
(out of four)
Anthony Hopkins and Chris Rock are certainly the oddest couple I could imagine. One is experienced, thoughtful, sophisticated and one of the most talented actors in movies today.
The other is a streetwise comedian who uses vulgarities and his sharp observation of the human condition to reach his audience and make them realize that we are all more alike than different.
The pairing in the new movie "Bad Company" shouldn't work. With Hopkins you might feel like you are getting an intelligent spy thriller without much fun. With Rock you expect a wisecracking guy from the hood who is a fish-out-of-water and all the hilarity that might entail.
Guess what? It works, and it works on all levels. Hopkins and Rock get each other, and play each other like melodic violins. Hopkins' experience and reputation as an actor gives Rock's performance even more weight and Rock lightens Hopkins up - adding a layer of humor to his character.
Oakes (Hopkins) leads a CIA operation that is secretly dealing with a Russian mobster for a nuclear bomb the size of a briefcase. But there are many factions who want the same devastating device. The key to the deal is Michael Turner - the code name for Agent Kevin Poe, played by Chris Rock. Turner is the only person the mobsters will trust to broker the trade.
When Poe is assassinated by a rival group which also wants the bomb, Oakes and his crew have nine days to find his twin brother and train him to be a spy. No mean feat, since neither brother knew that he had a twin and while Poe grew up with privilege, David Hayes (also played by Rock) was raised in a string of foster homes and became an ace ticket scalper and chess hustler.
Director Joel Schumacher knew what he was doing when he cast Hopkins and Rock. In a way, Oakes represents the audience's point of view regarding Hayes. At first dubious, then slowly understanding that while Hayes may at first seem like a goof, he actually has an incredible intelligence and aptitude for adaptation.
It is so much fun to see Hopkins duke it out in the fight scenes like he had been doing it his whole life. On the flipside, Rock can play Hayes as the foulmouthed hustler and the sharp and savvy recruit without ever challenging the reality of the situation or character.
Much of the film is set in Prague and it looks great: just the right place for games of cloak and dagger. The first-rate production values help you get lost in the story.
Schumacher could have lost the scenes with Turner's sexy CNN correspondent girlfriend. They really didn't add to the story, although they did add some significant eye candy for the guys.
However, the director did not skimp on the action. A chase into the woods and through a pasture was so exciting and fun that it could almost give "Raiders of the Lost Ark" a run for its money.
Forget the title, you are in good company with "Bad Company." Copyright 2002 by Lifewhile.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
