Directed by Jon Avnet. Starring Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, Carla Gugino, Brian Dennehy, Donnie Wahlberg, John Leguziamo, Curtis Jackson, Trilby Glover. Drama Synopsis: Two veteran cops work on an investigation into a serial killer who targets known criminals. During the course of their investigation, it becomes evident that the killer might be a police officer.
Any flick with both DeNiro and Pacino has about a 99.9% chance of making into my faves list, no matter what. When you consider these two iconic actors are so close in age, its incredible that they haven't really done much together, and nothing to the extent they act together in Righteous Kill. So, that alone gets you pumped up, but there is more...this is a very good film.
I will tell you right out that there is a major twist at the end, which may surprise you because the story is told in retrospect, with the opening scene coming at the end of the story's timeline and the bulk of the movie showing us the events that lead up to it. I would like to be a little more detailed, but I'm very afraid of spoiling it for any unfortunate who has not seen the flick...frankly, I feel I have just by telling you there is a twist.
Our two protagonists are Turk (Robert DeNiro Godsend) and Rooster (Al Pacino Scarface) two experienced NYC detectives who are long on experience on the street but short on patience with criminals, the beauracracy, and the system in general. They're assigned to investigate a potential serial killer who preys on known criminals. Most of the story is told in flashback style with regard to the murders, and we never see the killer though the film tells who he is in the beginning of the flick.
What is very interesting is the way the film quickly but convincingly presents a world through the eyes a cop that will help you empathize with how quickly and deeply bitter feelings can develop for those who are charged with arresting the guilty and protecting the innocent. How far is too far to go in stopping a murderer or a rapist or a drug dealer?
And, who would know best just how bad these people are than the police who investigate their crimes up close and personal? I never said the story of the bitter cop(s) is anything new if film-far from it-but I don't think you will see it done much better than here, which you would expect when you have two of the best-if not the two best-living actors carrying a script that would be just fine with lesser protagonists.
Deniro is at his intense best, think of him as "Jimmy" in Good Fellas only on the right side of the law. Pacino recalls a very similar character from the movie Insomnia, only Rooster is much less tormented and, well, I'll just say it: funnier. As always, DeNiro and Pacino make their characters empathetic and good for a laugh no matter how heavy the material.
But, there is more. The supporting cast is comprised of actors who are often the lead role and are accomplished actors in their own right. Brian Dennehy (Assault on Precint 13) plays the stereotypical humorless police lieutenant, and frankly its like a role he is born to play. Carla Gugino (Sin City) plays a detective who is a frequent bedfellow of Turk and has a definite taste for the rough stuff. But, don't think her character is mere titillation or eye candy-though Ms.Gugino certainly more than fits that bill-but her relationship-I did not say 'romance'-with Turk gives some depth and insight to the character of Turk and their rough lovemaking is a key element in the twist at the end.
John Leguziamo (Carlito's Way) and Donnie Wahlberg Annapolis) are a team of detectives who are also on the case and clashboth generationally and philosophically at times with Turk and Rooster. And, if that is enough, I have to tell you that Curtis Jackson (a/k/a "50 Cent") does very well in his role as Spider, a a high level drug dealer turned police informant.NO disrespect to Mr. Jackson, but when you look at this cast of main lead and supporting actors, you will likely ask yourself "O.k., what name doesn't fit wit the rest of this top shelf actors?" But, I'm telliing you, he does well and holds his own on screen with the legends. I do realize a lot of that might be that he doesn't have to "act" all that much in this particular role, but I assure you he is not the weak link...actually, there isn't a weak link in Righteous Kill which is why I'm telling you I think its a great film.
Any flick with both DeNiro and Pacino has about a 99.9% chance of making into my faves list, no matter what. When you consider these two iconic actors are so close in age, its incredible that they haven't really done much together, and nothing to the extent they act together in Righteous Kill. So, that alone gets you pumped up, but there is more...this is a very good film.
I will tell you right out that there is a major twist at the end, which may surprise you because the story is told in retrospect, with the opening scene coming at the end of the story's timeline and the bulk of the movie showing us the events that lead up to it. I would like to be a little more detailed, but I'm very afraid of spoiling it for any unfortunate who has not seen the flick...frankly, I feel I have just by telling you there is a twist.
Our two protagonists are Turk (Robert DeNiro Godsend) and Rooster (Al Pacino Scarface) two experienced NYC detectives who are long on experience on the street but short on patience with criminals, the beauracracy, and the system in general. They're assigned to investigate a potential serial killer who preys on known criminals. Most of the story is told in flashback style with regard to the murders, and we never see the killer though the film tells who he is in the beginning of the flick.
What is very interesting is the way the film quickly but convincingly presents a world through the eyes a cop that will help you empathize with how quickly and deeply bitter feelings can develop for those who are charged with arresting the guilty and protecting the innocent. How far is too far to go in stopping a murderer or a rapist or a drug dealer?
And, who would know best just how bad these people are than the police who investigate their crimes up close and personal? I never said the story of the bitter cop(s) is anything new if film-far from it-but I don't think you will see it done much better than here, which you would expect when you have two of the best-if not the two best-living actors carrying a script that would be just fine with lesser protagonists.
Deniro is at his intense best, think of him as "Jimmy" in Good Fellas only on the right side of the law. Pacino recalls a very similar character from the movie Insomnia, only Rooster is much less tormented and, well, I'll just say it: funnier. As always, DeNiro and Pacino make their characters empathetic and good for a laugh no matter how heavy the material.
But, there is more. The supporting cast is comprised of actors who are often the lead role and are accomplished actors in their own right. Brian Dennehy (Assault on Precint 13) plays the stereotypical humorless police lieutenant, and frankly its like a role he is born to play. Carla Gugino (Sin City) plays a detective who is a frequent bedfellow of Turk and has a definite taste for the rough stuff. But, don't think her character is mere titillation or eye candy-though Ms.Gugino certainly more than fits that bill-but her relationship-I did not say 'romance'-with Turk gives some depth and insight to the character of Turk and their rough lovemaking is a key element in the twist at the end.
John Leguziamo (Carlito's Way) and Donnie Wahlberg Annapolis) are a team of detectives who are also on the case and clashboth generationally and philosophically at times with Turk and Rooster. And, if that is enough, I have to tell you that Curtis Jackson (a/k/a "50 Cent") does very well in his role as Spider, a a high level drug dealer turned police informant.NO disrespect to Mr. Jackson, but when you look at this cast of main lead and supporting actors, you will likely ask yourself "O.k., what name doesn't fit wit the rest of this top shelf actors?" But, I'm telliing you, he does well and holds his own on screen with the legends. I do realize a lot of that might be that he doesn't have to "act" all that much in this particular role, but I assure you he is not the weak link...actually, there isn't a weak link in Righteous Kill which is why I'm telling you I think its a great film.
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