Review of End of Watch (2012) by Steven (Mogi) . — 28 Jul 2013

A great character study surrounded by a slightly generic story.

Gyllenhaal and Pena are great here, with some of the best chemistry I've seen in years. One of the strongest aspects of the film is it's realism, everything felt so genuine, especially within the relationships of the characters. And this is where the film thrives, in it's characters, and how they develop throughout time.

But there are problems. The story, although interesting, is slightly generic in some respects- as the villains are as cliche as they come. As with all the other characters you get such realism and interesting back stories etc. With the gang, there is no depth, but just aggressive people who like to shoot people... because they're aggressive.

You would think that this would lower the score more, but actually their particular story doesn't develop until that much later in the film, and it doesn't affect the film that much. They are just something that affects their relationship, to see an effect on the two cops- and to be honest I think the film would have been just as entertaining, without the threat and the different gangs, but just to see the day to day life of these characters.

An interesting watch and insight into how the L.A.P.D. works, but is let down slightly by some cliche characters.