The Heat
Director: Paul Feig
Cast: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Marlon Wayans, Michael McDonald, Michael Rapaport.
Rated R for pervasive language, strong crude content and some violence.
Lethal Weapon, Bad Boys, Rush Hour, Stakeout. The buddy cop movie has had its fair share of classic duos. There's not much that a cop movie can give audiences that is fresh and new, but Paul Feig (director of Bridesmaids) has delivered something pretty great: an uptight Sandra Bullock and a foul-mouthed loose cannon in Melissa McCarthy. The formula may be old, but with these two great comedic actresses, it feels like a breath of fresh air.
The plot is very generic. There's a big time drug dealer operating in the city of Boston. This unknown criminal has come to the attention of FBI Special Agent Sarah Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) who has an impeccable record of throwing bad guys behind bars. Boston, however, is Detective Shannon Mullens's (Melissa McCarthy) territory. Nothing goes down in her neighborhood without her knowing about it and so the two of them must work together if they are to bring down this drug lord.
What is great about this movie is simply the pairing of Bullock and McCarthy. Both have their respective gifts for comedy and they use these strengths extremely well much to the movie's benefit. Not every joke sticks, but Bullock and McCarthy are both quick to rebound with the next zinger. Both stars are able to turn on the drama (when the scene calls for it) just as quickly as they can produce the laughs. McCarthy again shines in a role that would not have worked with a lesser comedian. She owns her screen time. Watching her reactions to Bullock's uptight ways is absolutely hilarious. I was worried that this film would be a disaster, but it turns out to be one of the better surprises of the summer.
RATING: B+
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