Directed by:
David AyerCinematography:
Gabriel BeristainComposer:
Graeme RevellCast:
Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, Cedric the Entertainer, Jay Mohr, Terry Crews, Naomie Harris, Common, The Game, Martha Higareda (more)VOD (2)
Plots(1)
Reeves stars as Tom Ludlow, a hard-nosed detective with a talent for delivering brutal street justice. When evidence implicates him in the murder of a fellow officer, the violence around Ludlow explodes as he realizes his own life is in danger and he can trust no one. (official distributor synopsis)
Reviews (9)
Initially a hopefully gritty crime drama, which unfortunately slides towards the end into a boring story on a theme we've seen too many times before. And done better. The ending was strangely clamorous, but without emotion, although it probably should have been there, originally. The action scenes were good though, the best being the second shootout in the apartment. Hugh Laurie unfortunately got very little space.
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David Ayer understood that as a screenwriter he had already exhausted himself with Training Day, so it was providence that advised him to shake hands with the neo-noir classic James Ellroy. The result is not particularly stunning, the traditional plot about the improved cop/asshole doesn't provide anything new and the director also doesn't do anything special in terms of the formal aspects. Yet the atmosphere of L.A.'s suburbs is literally dripping and the vivacity with which Keanu Reeves runs through the film is incredible. The clenched, pissed-off expression of the stubborn bulldog fits him perfectly and the viewer makes uncompromising cuts into the arm with him, of which there are many. This is Ayer's best film, but I’m not buying the negros, corrupt cops, and dark tough guys for the fourth time.
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David Ayer and the corrupt police (again?) in the suburbs of Los Angeles (yes, yes, again). This guy has proven himself both as a director and as a screenwriter. The second essential person for Street Kings is James Ellroy. He is certainly more than just good — that's an indisputable fact. Street Kings is like a cup of Turkish coffee. Although steeped for the third time in the same dirty mug where the grounds remained after Training Day and Harsh Times, only now it is the right kind of coffee: strong, dark, dense, bitter and, above all, shamefully delicious. But not everyone likes their coffee like that. To sweeten it up, they threw in sugar cubes in the form of perfect acting performances. Reeves, in particular, makes one forget about his recent dull performances, and Whitaker seems to be saying "sorry for the most ridiculous performance of my career in Vantage Point“ (but he's still pushing a bit too hard - he didn’t use to do that). Street Kings is on its way to being the Crime Movie of the Year, although judging by the feedback here, it seems I'm the only one who thinks so. It's enough to make me happy anyway. Five stars in the context of the genre, otherwise a strong four. I admit that there are a few hiccups here, but nothing that would matter very seriously in a crime movie. Next time, however, Ayer could try a different cup of tea. He’s far too talent to be tucked away in a one-genre box.
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Relentless action, positive tough guys, and negative friends with a facade, that's always been my thing and will continue to be. Whether Keanu Reeves reminisces about past trauma with a suffering expression, furrows his brow while pondering the increasing number of corpses, or simply puts on a face that says "touch me and you won't have a hand", pulls out a gun, and goes after everyone he doesn't like, I can't help but be amazed and humbled by the fact that this fast-paced and yet highly convoluted bloody corrupt affair can't be stopped.
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A story of necessary evil. Following Harsh Times, David Ayer has succeeded with another probe into the underworld of Los Angeles. Ludlow is a great dirty hero who reels out one off the cuff wisecrack after another, and Keanu Reeves is right at home in this strange cowboy’s boots. Forest Whitaker is clearly enjoying his character, and Hugh Laurie has easily shaken off his House image. In terms of the overall plot, it can jump from predictable situations to unexpected and downright surprising endings (e.g. shovel in the head). I admit to a little hesitation in my rating because it wasn't clear-cut. At first I considered giving it 4.5 stars, but this kind of movie is just my cup of tea, and in this genre, Street Kings is the best thing I’ve recently beheld.
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And exhausted and stale story about a tough guy who eventually mans up and takes everything bravely into his own hands because he finally realizes he's doing the right thing. It's definitely cheesy, but the director knows it and we know that the director knows it. The action is quite tough – at least that. Keanu Reeves is surprisingly solid as a “punk” with a black car and Forest Whitaker is amazing. The buried bodies and the shots to the face are pleasant bonuses as well. The ending is clear after thirty minutes.
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I have a terrible weakness for films of this type. Watching a tough cop who cuts everyone down on sight and only needs to utter a few dry lines is always a treat, especially when that cop is the likeable Keanu Reeves, who doesn't take any shit or time off in his quest for the truth. David Ayer quickly won me over with his style, I liked both the well shot action sequences and, in particular, the portrayal of a corrupt police world where no one can be safe and the best solution is usually a bullet in the head. It may be a fairytale that has been rehashed over and over, but in tandem with an excellent cast and a straightforward story, no new retelling can ever offend.
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David Ayer is good. I've been putting Street Kings off for a long time, but I finally got around to it and I have to say it was a pleasant surprise. Keanu Reeves plays a troubled cop who kind of interprets the law to suit himself and the whole story is in his direction, but then unexpectedly bigger problems start happening that overwhelm him and the ride begins. Police corruption, action, suspense, and most importantly an A-list cast (Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Chris Evans) in a solid action flick that kind of rides its wave. In the last half hour everything takes an amazing surprising turn and the film throws one solid twist after another until the finale. I knew it’d be a good film all along, but the ending makes me throw in that extra fourth star due to its unpredictability and clever build-up. Satisfaction, and the result is a lot of fine, unpretentious "retro" fun with everyone's favourite Keanu, who is good to watch in just about any role.
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I actually don't have any major problem with this film. Attentively respected genre conventions, a more than solid Keanu Reeves, and occasionally some hint of that unpredictability. Yet the whole thing really works well, the craftsmanship is of high quality, and how I wasn’t overly irritated by how politically correct it is with regard to the American’s own police. It's just an above average genre film that has no ambition to become a cult, which is what makes it so noble. A chill-out film with a decent level of quality. :)
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