It's been awhile since I have gotten to review an action movie. I seem
to be pretty kind towards them (check out my positive review for that
bullshit CHILL FACTOR). A new year, a new attitude.
The only thing that really interested me in seeing this movie was that
it had Eddie Griffin in it. I have recently had the opportunity to work
with Griffin on another movie. The man is one of the funniest black
personalities out there right now (off camera). I have also worked with
Jones in his one scene in the film OFFICE SPACE. "Crackhead Steve" is one
of the funniest things in that film. DOUBLE TAKE pairs up these two talents
for a buddy action film. Formula, formula, formula.
Jones plays Darrel Chase, a wealthy black banker. He is involved with
transferring money from a Mexican company into an American bank. Basically
money-laundering for a drug cartel. He starts getting suspicious and his
questions lead to trouble. Sound familiar. Griffin starts as a street
hustler, Freddie Tiffany, who always seems to appear in the same place as
the snobby Darrel, always at the right time. This doesn't make sense until
we find out that Freddie is working for the FBI to bust the drug ring down
in Mexico. They never really explain why the drug cartel would want to kill
a seemingly innocent banker, but this is an action movie not an art house
flick. Throw in a cute dog to add a little more fun.
Darrel and Freddie take off down to Mexico with the cops, the CIA and
the drug traffickers right behind. That's about all the plot I can give away
without wasting your seven dollars. This is not rocket science here; you have
to put your doubt on the backshelf and go along for the ride.
Griffin basically plays the same character he did in DEUCE BIGALOW, a
wise-talkin' crazy mutha. Unfortunatly a lot of his routine was the same as
what I saw him do in the movie (THE NEW GUY) I just worked with him on. Jones
starts off the straight man, but gets more funny as the film
progresses and he tries to be more "street." Working with both of these cats
probably ruined the movie for me.
The sound track kicked ass. That's usually a given in a film starring
black actors. Lots of guns and explosions, but very little blood. No real
love story. That's a plus. No skin whatsoever. That didn't help. I
would say this movie gets two stars, and that's being nice. Eddie I think
you're great, but you're no action hero. Peace.
—Matt Black
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