Director: Todd Phillips
Starring: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn
Year: 2004
As ridiculous as this movie is, this crew is a good time waiting to happen. Phillips, Stiller, Wilson, Vaughn, Will Ferrell, Jason Bateman; comedy is in good hand with these guys. It’s a certain style of humor, to be certain, over-the-top and in-your-face, but with a simplicity that’s sure to entertain. It isn’t quite as insanely funny as Zoolander, or as good, but Starsky & Hutch is fun for a specific group; those who watched the show & those who loved the characters, and those we watch they guys & love their quirky characters as well.
On the Bay City police squad, no two cops are feared less than David Starsky and Ken Hutchinson. Starsky is too overzealous, shooting up the streets to apprehend pickpockets, losing sight of the true mission by following the rules too closely. Hutch is the opposite but is equally terrible, following no guidelines but his own, rubbing elbows with crooks and ignoring the ethics of his job. But they will both have to get it in gear, when they become partners and a case falls into their laps that could bust the city’s drug scene wide open, if only they can keep their eyes on the prize.
Stiller & Wilson are a pair of lovable knuckleheads, and if you like that style of comedy you are going to love this movie, which has aged pretty well and is still a ball. Add in Vaughn & Ferrell and you’ve got something classic in the making. It’s silly, it’s wacky, it’s not so well structured, but hey, neither was the show, and if you dug that in the 70s you can did this now, with its throwback references and its eye to the style. Obviously a goofy 90 minutes that won’t impress beyond simple fun, this film is nevertheless cool as ice.
My rating: ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆