Review of Cop Land (1997) by Paul G — 21 Jul 2008

Having wasted most of his career in stupid action films, it's finally a relief to see Stallone actually do some serious acting for a change. In fact, this is the best he's been since the first Rocky film over twenty years before.

What helps him this time is that he's surrounded by some bloody good actors - DeNiro, Keitel, Liotta - and a first-rate script that treats the audience like adults. And Stallone is brilliant! He more than holds his own against somebody like DeNiro - their scenes together are ace (it's like watching Jake LaMotta having a chat with Rocky Balboa), but its in the quiet way he carries himself throughout the film that impresses the most.

Throughout, his half-deaf, downcast sheriff is either ignored, sidelined or just plain humiliated, and yet come the climax when he finally gets the gumption to do something about all that naughty police corruption it's totally believable because Stallone is so believable; a far cry from Rambo and the countless other superhuman meatheads he's played.

As for the climax, I don't think i've ever seen a shootout as unique and...yes...bloody quiet as this one, but it works brilliantly, and gives one a change from loud explosions. In fact, the whole film is a breath of fresh air.

There are no superhuman cops in this film; the action is sparse but brutal, and the characters are all flesh and blood. And, as I've already stated, Stallone is awesome; it's easily the best thing he's done since he first put on those boxing gloves decades ago! Copland is sheer class, and Stallone finally proves that no amount of shit can ever account for an untapped talent.

Let's hope he does more films like this and less like Rambo bloody 4!