Review of The Heat (2006) by Johnny T — 01 Mar 2014

The script's simpleminded shenanigans notwithstanding, the two stars sync up better than their characters do, especially with some rough-and-tumble physical slapstick, resulting in a crude, low-brow audience-pleaser that will hit the funny bones of both performers' fan bases. McCarthy is a force of comic nature. And she and Bullock mix it up like pros. Part of the point here is to stake a claim on a genre that's traditionally been a boys' club, and in that regard, The Heat delivers: In a bonding moment, this odd couple goes on a bender as epic as anything in "The Hangover." Their enthusiasm with weapons should alarm viewers across all demographics and species. Every foul-mouthed joke McCarthy cracks, every unexpected physical gag she underplays, is so funny you forget how often we've seen this setup. Or, when it comes to women, how rarely. Scenes go on too long. Jokes outwear their welcome. The plot, though perfunctory (it's no more complex or intriguing than the average hourlong television crime procedural), gets muddled. Even though McCarthy keeps the laughs coming, The Heat doesn't really pack enough. It's not really such a great achievement to have women cops in the movies acting as boorish and rowdy as their male counterparts, especially since the movie seems designed for a sequel. But then again, what movie these days - or at least this summer - isn't?

VERDICT: "In The Zone" - [Mixed Reaction] These kinds of movies are usually movies that had some good things, but some bad things kept it from being amazing. This rating says buy an ex-rental or a cheap price of the DVD to own. If you consider cinema, ask for people's opinion on the film. (Films that are rated 2.5 or 3 stars).