August 16, 2013
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Review: 2 Guns
Hey everyone, new review. It’s a movie now in theaters, and it’s a live-action, R-rated action film that I particularly enjoyed. First live film review too! And the film is:
2 Guns! Starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg! Now here is a brief plot:
DEA Agent Bobby Trench (Washington) and NCIS Agent Michael Stigman (Wahlberg) are paired up together (undercover) to steal and turn over $3 million in drug money in a bank safe box belonging to drug lord Papi Greco (Edward James Olmos), to their agencies. The two form an amicable partnership with each other in the course of their plan, but neither of them know of their undercover status.
When they move through with the plan, they discover the bank contains over $43 million, way more money than they had anticipated. They decide to take all of is and sort through it later. Later, out in the desert, the two try to turn on each other, which ends in Trench getting shot and left in the desert by Stigman (but not before Stigman sees Trench’s DEA badge).
As it turns out, the money actually belongs to the CIA and a shady agent, only known as “Earl” (Bill Paxton) is set on recovering that money by any means necessary, including torturing witnesses and the duos accomplices, killing Trench’s boss (Robert John Burke) at his home and framing Trench for it.
At the same time, Stigman delivers the money to his commanding officer, Harold Quince (James Marsden), but lets slip that he only wounded Trench. upon discovering this true, Quince reveals himself to be corrupt and tries to kill Stigman, who escapes.
After re-meeting, and escaping several hit squads, the two cops discover the setup and together with DEA Agent Debbie Rees (Paula Patton), Trench’s on-off lover who has her own connection to the case, they must find the money, and clear their names.
The plot is a bit over used: Two cops from different agencies are partnered up, form a friendship and take down a common enemy. But they make up for it with the impressive script/dialogue, the cutdown action scenes, and of course, the star power of Washington and Wahlberg (who make an incredible pair in this film, which I hope gets a sequel).
Washington and Wahlberg fill Trench and Stigman’s roles excellently. Washington plays the older, seasoned type of the two. His witty lines in the film and old-fashioned style really bring the Yang to Wahlberg’s Yin. Wahlberg plays the younger, somewhat brasher of the two. Not as impulsive as most younger partners, but still, his loudmouthed, fast talking lines in the film bring out its comedic side and the Yin to Washington’s Yang. In all, the two have great on-screen chemistry together and I certainly hope to see them work together again in the future.
For Paula Patton, her character reminded me a little of her role in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. She does good on-screen with providing the duo with info in her supporting role. I also loved her in here romance scenes with Washington’s character. Those two really clicked together while filming this movie. But like I said, little does everyone know is Patton has a connection to this case. But I’m not saying, find out yourself.
Now for the villains: Earl is one of those go-over-the-limit agents of the CIA willing to torture and kill to get back the stolen money. Paxton really brings out the ruthlessness in his character, and tops it all off with an smooth Southern accent.
As Quince, Marsden plays a convincing false hero. Marsden makes it so convincing, I never even thought his character was corrupt, until he turned on Walberg’s character. It really reminds me of his role as Milton Fine/ Brainiac.
And Olmos’s role is just a typical drug lord: determined guy, big mansion, fast cars, several lovers and children. Nothing special, though Olmos does have some of Washington’s wit.
Overall: This film was pretty good. The outer plot was rather typical and kinda, but overall the movie was impressive and entertaining. I give it an 8.5/10 and for those of you who love R-rated actions with Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, SEE IT!
