Showtime Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Lights. Camera. Aggravation.
LAPD Detective Sergeant Mitch Preston cares only about doing his job and nailing crooks. LAPD Patrol Officer Trey Sellars joined the force as a day job until his acting career took off. During an undercover drug buy Mitch was working that Trey botched by calling in for backup and drawing media attention, Mitch's partner is shot with a very exotic 12-gauge automatic weapon; Mitch then shoots the video camera out of the hands of a reporter filming the action when the cameraman refused to shut it down. Faced with a $10 million lawsuit, the department agrees to let producer Chase Renzi film Mitch's investigation for a new reality TV show, and constantly tries to make everything more "viewer friendly" by changing everything about Mitch's life to fit the stereotypical view of police officers—and partners him with Trey.
| Robert De Niro | Det. Mitch Preston |
| Eddie Murphy | Officer Trey Sellars |
| Rachael Harris | Teacher |
| Zaid Farid | Police Captain Ben |
| Alex Borstein | Casting Director |
| Holly Mandel | Producer |
| Marshall Manesh | Convenience Store Owner |
| Nestor Serrano | Ray |
| T.J. Cross | ReRun |
| James Roday | 'Showtime' Cameraman |
| Joel Hurt Jones | Reporter #1 |
| Chris Harrison | Reporter #2 |
| Perri Peltz | Reporter #3 |
| Amy Powell | Reporter #4 |
| Mos Def | Lazy Boy |
| Tom Dey |
5.30 out of 10 (12122 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Another waste of Eddie's talent
posted on 27 Jul 2009Showtime is another film that wastes Eddie Murphy's talent. Today when I watched the film I don't think I laughed once. I found the jokes to be weak and in my opinion there was no chemistry between Bobby Deniro and Eddie. I didn't even find Rene sexy in the movie. Skip this one.
"You okay there, T.J?"
posted on 21 Jul 2009If you've seen the trailer for this movie, you pretty much know what to expect, because what you see here is what you get. And even if you haven't seen the previews, it won't take you long to pick up on what you're in for-- specifically, a good time and plenty of laughs-- from this clever satire of `Reality TV' shows and `Buddy Cop' movies, `Showtime,' directed by Tom Dey, starring Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy. Mitch Preston (De Niro) is a detective with the L.A.P.D., and he's good at what he does; but working a case one night, things suddenly go south when another cop, Trey Sellars (Murphy), inadvertently intervenes, a television news crew shows up and Mitch loses his cool, which results in a lawsuit by the television station that's going to cost the department some big bucks.
Except that they may be able to get around it, thanks to Chase Renzi (Rene Russo), who works for the station and likes what she sees in Mitch-- enough to pitch an idea to her boss for a `Reality' cop show, that would feature none other than Mitch Preston, whom Chase sees as a real life `Dirty Harry.' Her boss likes the idea and gives Chase the green light. Now all she has to do is convince Mitch to participate, which shouldn't be too hard, since the station has agreed to drop the lawsuit if he will do the show. But Mitch is a cop, not an actor, and he wants nothing to do with any of it-- that is until he has a heart-to-heart with his boss, Captain Winship (Frankie Faison), who puts Mitch's future into succinct perspective for him.
And just like that, the show is on. Oh, yes, there's one more thing; for the show, Mitch is going to need a partner. And who do you suppose they're going to come up with for that? Let's put it this way: Trey Sellars is more than one of the usual suspects. This is Dey's second film as a director, his first being `Shanghai Noon,'-- also a comedy-- and he's definitely showing a penchant for the genre. From the opening frames he establishes a pace that keeps the story moving right along, and he allows his stars to make the most of their respective talents and personal strengths, including their impeccable timing. With stars like De Niro and Murphy, Dey, of course, had a leg up on this project to begin with, but he's the one who keeps it on track, demonstrating that he knows what works, achieving just the right blend of physical comedy and action, and employing the subtleties of the dialogue to great effect. There isn't a more natural actor in the business than De Niro, and he steps into Mitch's skin like he was born to it. And after years of doing hard-edge, cutting drama (in which he turned in one remarkable performance after another), with such films as `Analyze This,' `Meet the Parents' and now this one, he has firmly established his proficiency for doing comedy, as well. Mitch is not an especially complex character; he is, in fact, something of an `ordinary' guy, but therein lies the challenge for the actor-- to make him believable, to make him seem like the guy who could be your neighbor and just another member of the community. And on all counts, De Niro succeeds. He's Mitch, the guy you run into at the grocery store or the bank, or say `good morning' to on your way to work; who likes to watch the game on TV and has a life, just like you and me, who happens to make his living by being a cop. It's the character Mitch has to be to make this film work, because it makes the `ordinary guy in extraordinary circumstances' angle credible. It's one of those role-- and work-- that is often wrongly dismissed out-of-hand, because it looks so easy; and, of course, this is what makes De Niro so exceptional-- he does make it look easy, and he does it with facility. As Trey Sellars, Eddie Murphy turns in a winning performance, as well, and it's a role that fits him like the proverbial glove. Trey is a cop, but also an aspiring actor-- and a bad one-- and it gives Murphy the opportunity to play on the over-exuberant side of his personality (reigned in enough by Dey, however, to keep him from soaring over-the-top into Jim Carrey territory), which works perfectly for this character and this film. From his melodramatic take on a part during an audition, to his throwing out of one-liners-- delivered by looking directly into the camera (which as far as he's concerned isn't even there) while filming the `reality' show-- Murphy's a riot. And he has a chemistry with De Niro that really clicks (which is not unexpected, as this is another of De Niro's many talents; his ability to connect with and bring out the best in his co-stars, all of whom-- evidence will support-- are better at their craft after having worked with him, including the likes of Meryl Streep, Christopher Walken and Ed Harris, just to name a few). Most importantly, this is a part that allows Murphy to excel at what he does best, and he certainly makes the most of it. Russo makes the most of her role as Chase, too, a character who isn't much of a stretch artistically, but whom she presents delightfully, with a strong, believable performance. And William Shatner (playing himself) absolutely steals a couple of scenes as the director of the show. The supporting cast includes Drena De Niro (Annie), Pedro Damian (Vargas) and James Roday (Camera Man). Well crafted and delivered, `Showtime' is a comedy that's exactly what it is meant to be: Pure entertainment that provides plenty of laughs and a pleasant couple of hours that will have you chuckling for some time after. It's the magic of the movies. 8/10.
This must have been a good screenplay
posted on 05 Jul 2009This movie never really decides what kind of film it wants to be. It attempts to be a bit of a clever cop-movie spoof, but stumbles early on and never regains it's footing.Clearly, there must have been good material here at one time to attract the talent. Russo, Murphy and DeNiro play well enough together, and they get a lot of help from the supporting cast. They do a decent enough job with what is basically an "unlikely-cop-duo-versus-the-euro-trash-bad-guy" film (or a clever play on one, we are never sure). Lots of things go *boom* and bad guys are assumed to be bad, justifying further explosions.The real crime here is that it could have been better. The ham-handed directing and haphazard editing destroyed what small amount of clever pacing and ironic humour that _may_ have been intended by the author.The screenplay must have been better and, judging from the "outtakes", made a lot more sense than the finished product.Don't blame the actors on this one. This film may be an example of what happens when a writer gets a chance to produce his own picture, and hooks up with a bad director.Pretty bad film. The pacing is awful and the editing is criminal. Rent it to have a laugh and eat some snacks.
Ordinary
posted on 23 Jun 2009This is a totally ordinary buddy cop action comedy, with one redeeming twist. William Shatner, as himself, has a terrific scene where he tries to teach Eddie Murphy and Robert DeNiro about how to be a TV cop. It's the one memorable moment in an otherwise forgettable movie.
Actually great fun, I really enjoyed it, even though it wasn't original at all,Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy were great together!
posted on 13 Jun 2009This is actually great fun. I really enjoyed it, even though it wasn't that original at all, Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy were great together!. All the characters are cool, and the story is pretty good, plus Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy are simply amazing in this!. Rene Russo is excellent in her role, and there are plenty of laughs to be had throughout (especially when Deniro spoofs Clint Eastwood and Danny Glover's lines), plus the finale is just great. Yes it's just another run of the mil "Buddy Buddy" cop film, but it works due to the fantastic chemistry between De Niro and Murphy!, plus it had some great car chase scenes as well!. It's nothing that great really, however I found it to be great fun, and a perfect way to pass the time!,however the main villain was very weak and wasn't very good at all. This is far from being the best "Buddy "Buddy" cop film, however it's still a very entertaining one, and I thought it was pretty well made and written as well!, plus the ending was quite funny!. This is actually great fun, I really enjoyed it, even though it wasn't that original at all, Robrt De Niro and Eddie Murphy were great together, I highly recommend this one!. The Direction is very good!. Tom Dey does a very good job here with great camera work, cool angles and keeping the film at a fast pace. The acting is a lot of fun!. Robert Deniro is amazing as always and is amazing here, he is hilarious, very likable, had fantastic chemistry with Eddie Murhpy did his usual awesome stuff, pulled some really funny faces, seemed to be enjoying himself,had some funny lines, and had a really cool character! (De Niro Rules!!!!!!!). Eddie Murphy is also amazing here, he is hilarious, like De Niro did his usual funny stuff, obviously loved being in front of the camera, and while he can do this stuff in his sleep he was still a lot of fun to watch! (Murphy Rules!!!!). Rene Russo is fantastic here!, she had a cool character, and while she didn't have much to do, she added a lot of screen presence, and made her character interesting always, she was just great! (Russo Rules!!!!). William Shatner is funny here surprisingly and didn't overdo it, and brought some good laughs into the film. The main villain is OK, but kind of weak and rather bland, still he did what he had to do adequately. Rest of the cast do fine. Overall I highly recommend this one!. ***1/2 out of 5
It looks like a gay porn star lives here!
posted on 09 Jun 2009Well, Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy made enough to buy their Christmas presents with this film.Never breaking into a sweat, De Niro phones in his performance as detective Mitch Preston, while Murphy is Trey Sellars, a street cop who wants to be an actor. So, lets have a film crew do a reality show about cops.What follows is a Saturday Night Live skit on TV cop shows with no apparent point. It would probably last one week before cancellation.Cameos by Johnnie L. Cochran Jr., and William Shatner as T.J. Hooker.Showtime is best avoided altogether.
Showtime, or How to Tell Jokes Poorly
posted on 28 May 2009I don't understand jokes. I do believe this is my problem with modern cinema, or those films that are made with millions of dollars in hopes that it will become the next greatest sensation. Isn't it odd – people just don't laugh as much anymore, and I do believe one of the diseases to that problem is the film "Showtime". There was absolutely nothing, from the beginning to the end of the credits, with all of the bantering between Murphy and De Niro, with Russo as eye candy, with even standard clichés which make the general population swoon with pre-programmed laughter, there was nothing in this film that made me laugh. There weren't the overbearing physical jokes or the calculated mental vocal jokes at all throughout this debacle of a film. From the beginning, I didn't buy the match-up of De Niro and Murphy as anything more than Hollywood excitement, throughout the commentary the director vividly talks about the hijinks and laughter going on during the shoot – where was it in the film? This falls to either two problems – the director really doesn't have a sense of comedy or the editor didn't understand the value of the film. Either way, they both doomed the entire hour and a half spent on the Hollywood nightmare "Showtime".Outside of finding no reason to laugh, there was no reason to follow these characters through any moment of the film. There was a glimpse of humor with De Niro's desire to pick up pottery as a hobby (but the director had to write KILN on the machine so audiences would understand – WHO DOES THAT?), but that was dropped and never developed. There was the idea that Murphy was an actor, but outside of that one opening monologue, nobody would have understood that. He rents a room in a producer's house in which he can afford on a police officer's salary? This just didn't compute even for Hollywood standards. There was a bad guy who wanted a big gun, but the gun was never developed, nor was there any true test of the weapons capability … even at the end. It became a bigger joke to laugh at an accent than remember the guns. Where was the television show in this? Russo had to get permission from this random guy at the beginning, but there were no consequences. There was nothing in the middle of this film outside of further questions and meaningless dribble. Random characters were introduced, forgotten, re-introduced, and forgotten all over again. The director and producer laughed at this, while we, the meager viewer, must suffer through inside jokes and cliché stereotypes.Was there a love interest in this film? Was there a truly sinister bad guy that went apart from the comic duo to bring true evil to the screen? Were there any pop culture references that didn't come back to Robert De Niro? Was there random chaos throughout this film? If you need the answers to these, obviously, you won't find them in "Showtime". The fact that I am riddling this review with question upon question, only means that this sub-par (actually, well below sub-sub-sub par) filled no quota or resembled anything of value to the cinematic world. Sure, it had big names and one really neat explosion, but there was nothing of substance to this at all. It was almost as if the director said prior to the shoot that he wanted clichés, but not regular clichés – go with the bad ones. The plot had no linear structure. The jokes were boring. The characters were drab and underdeveloped. This ranks below even the best of "buddy-cop" films. I like to give films the benefit of the doubt, but nothing worked in this film. Not even Shatner could save this film, and he even tried hard.Overall, I cannot, nor will I, suggest this film to anyone with a pulse. The commentary only confirms the pathetic nature of the film with obvious flaws, horrid jokes, and creators questioning the validity of their work. If creators can't stand behind "Showtime", why should we? I didn't want a "Lethal Weapon" when I watched this, but I did want something like that. I understand there was some form of criticism of "reality television" and the corrupt nature of the media, but that message didn't make it off the page. In fact, I believe I saw "media" leave the theater first when I watched this. Shame carries its heavy hand with this film and I cannot blame it. Murphy used to be a big star, comedy was his middle name (see "Coming to America"), but lately he seems to have lost his edge. De Niro obviously wants to get away from an image that haunts him, but making these sort of films is only going to set him back further. One of these films is equal to one Scorsese picture.Skip this one. I promise, it will make your final cinematic days worthwhile. Oh, and if you laughed at any of the jokes in this film – I am truly sorry! Grade: * out of *****
Showtime is a must see.
posted on 26 May 2009When I went to see this movie, I did not expect all that action. It was great everyone should go and see this movie. There is no regret at all, I am going to see it again for sure. And when It comes out on DVD, I will own it for sure. I know the DVD will be great, I think they have alot of extra stuff to put on the DVD, and that will make it extra funny.
PHewwwww! Stinks!
posted on 12 May 2009With such a good cast one would think that something better could have been done. This film is SO lame it will only work for someone under the age of 17 and/or an IQ considerably less than 100.I agree with those in this forum who have suggested that this would have worked much better as a five minute Saturday Night Live script - the rest of the 90 minutes was a waste of time.
Standard fare, seen time & time before
posted on 26 Apr 2009If you are looking for a good story, atmosphere, good acting, & tension, then you are watching the wrong film. Instead you get the usual plot of good cop, bad cop, who both dislike each other, cover the racial divide, & finally realise eventually how much they really need each other. The only difference this time they are put together to promote a reality television programme, which in itself was done better by James Woods & Michael J Fox in The Hard Way many years before.That is not to say the film was bad, as it is funny in spasms throughout, helped along by the two leads Murphy & De Niro who are always good value. The rest of the cast were not much though, in particular Rene Russo, & the villians lacked any threat, with the lead thug reminiscent of a poor mans Alan Rickman. It did though have a cameo of Captain Kirk (Shatner), which can't be bad, who seems to get fatter in each role he is in.5/10
2 cops have a media team tag along. One wants to be a movie star, the other doesn't. Not a spoof, not a cop movie. Not a good movie. One Fly Out Of Five
posted on 08 Apr 2009Showtime (Robert De Niro, Eddie Murphy, Rene Russo) is meant to be a spoof of cop movies but contains enough `action' in the form of big guns and car chases to make that debatable. What of De Niro and Murphy, both archetypes within the genre, spoofing themselves? Well it becomes boring, particularly in the case of Robert De Niro. Robert De Niro has been playing these types of roles for decades now and is old enough you'd think to have moved off the streets into a police desk job. But that's beside the point. De Niro doesn't look like he's even trying in Showtime. De Niro's character Mitch has seen it all, doesn't like the upstart Trey (Eddie Murphy) but has fallen foul of the boss and the media for destroying a television camera that got in his way while a crime was being committed.Mitch and Trey are ordered to cooperate with a television producer called Chase (Rene Russo) in the hope that the PR will be profitable for the police force.Big nasty guns have hit the streets and the boys are chasing them down. This is done fairly seriously even though the film is I think supposed to be a spoof. It might have worked better if it had gone all out Police Academy style. Then all of the actors in Showtime, even the stars, wouldn't have all seemed to have been doing cameo roles. One Lazy Fly Out Of Five
Lukewarm
posted on 07 Mar 2009Such a promising concept (as unoriginal as it may be) like this cannot be fully exercised in a 95 minute long movie. Had this movie been made a few years ago then it may have been a bit more original and 'in time' to be a part of the whole 'reality TV' boom. As it stands 'Showtime' is neither ironic nor exciting and you will forget it completely 5 minutes after watching it. If the movie were extended to a little over 2 hours, with tighter editing and a better script it may have worked. Nothing is fully explored or exploited in this film and the villain is so weak and pointless his role could easily have been played by a ghost.'Showtime' really ought to have been a mini-series. This would have offered a greater sense of self-referential, ironic humor and given more time to devote to plot, character, action and intelligence. But in this hour and a half movie, director Tom Dey cannot make anything work.Murphy isn't funny, DeNiro is sleepwalking and Russo is wasted. The only person contributing anything of worth is Shatner. And the references to his TJ Hooker show are ironic by accident in regards to Hooker being better than 'Showtime' and 'Showtime' within the movie. This movie is only an example of money thrown away and the totally wrong approach given to a promising concept. I would rent it. But make sure it is the widescreen version as the fullscreen (actually pan and scan, or 'CROPPED') has about %50 of the picture missing.The commentary is uninteresting and I must seriously point out that the advertised 'Uproarious additional scenes, including hilarious improvised Eddie Murphy' are anything but. Even if I had watched my own autopsy they probably still would be the most uncomfortable and unfunny things I have ever witnessed in my life. The HBO documentary is light promotional fluff hosted by William Shatner and the extended scenes offer nothing new.
An Interesting Question
posted on 05 Mar 2009*** SPOILER WITHIN ****** SPOILER WITHIN ****** SPOILER WITHIN ***As I watched this movie, I asked myself a question: is Eddie Murphy a good actor? I ask myself because in this he plays a cop who dreams of being an actor, but he's very bad at it. He overdoes almost every scene he's in, actually making me cringe when he's on the screen. But that question lingered in my mind.I am of the opinion that in order to play something bad in the movies, you actually have to be very good at it. You know how it works and therefore how it doesn't work, so you just use what doesn't work in order to effectively play it badly. Given this theory, does that mean that Eddie Murphy is actually a good actor?Personally, I think he is highly overrated. I have yet to see him do well in a lead. He always seems to overdo it, trying too hard to be funny, and it just backfires. I've actually found him better when he's in a supporting role, like in "Mulan" and "Shrek". With the pressure of being a lead taken off his shoulders, he actually has much more freedom, and it works well for him.Maybe he should take another supporting role. Or maybe try a dramatic role.
I think guys who generally ham it up in movies, like Robin Williams and Jim Carrey, are actually very good dramatic actors. All I can say is, try something different Eddie.
De Niro's Stinkers continue.
posted on 18 Jan 2009Let me put you in a position.If you was a well respected actor who,s career includes some of the best movies ever made but the last few films you made were complete tripe and your reputation was plumiting like a stone would you decide to make a lame comedy along side Eddie Murphy and the appalling Rene Russo?.No. So why does the once great man Robert De Niro keep making rubbish like this and believe me this IS rubbish.Is he making a film in the future about an actor who keeps making awfull films and this is the method acting experiance? Who knows? What i do know is is that Showtime is complete trash that is about as funny as hemeroids and less interesting. Dont go anywhere near this film . 2 out of 10.
I'm not a cop, but I play one on TV...
posted on 08 Jan 2009Looking for another Beverly Hills Cop comedy or Lethal Weapon action picture? Don't see this.I've seen reviews of this film calling it "over-acted," "seemingly unscripted," "unoriginal," and "bland sitcom fare." Reviews here have called DeNiro unfunny. If you count any of those words towards this film in a negative connotation, you've obviously missed the point (or you're under 25). Yes, it is all those words, and that's what makes it funny. Not fresh, just funny.This film is the answer to all those unoriginal buddy cop tv shows & films of the 70's, 80's and the seemingly unscripted reality show drivel of today. It is over-acted from the first scenes as it's meant to. The characters are all exaggerations. Exaggerations of those with no sense of humor or fun (probably those writing film reviews for newspapers). Exaggerations of virtually every young Hollywood hotshot with power and "hot new" ideas. Exaggerations of how people with instant fame behave -- be it fame from a talent show or reality series or one-hit wonder in the recording studio, you know you've seen the types.DeNiro is an exceptional straightman to Murphy's jabbing at his own super-cop films. Russo, as the slimy Hollywood yes-woman is brilliant in her attempt to rise to the top at any cost. Add to that Bill Shatner giving acting tips (an uproar in itself) as his own TJ Hooker self; Pedro Damian as, what else, a bad guy; and cameos from familiar faces like Johnny Cochran, Ken Campbell, and Kadeem Hardison (who really should have had more scenes) and you have the ultimate in parody.Of course, the contradictory approach also adds to the hilarity: DeNiro telling school children that it's not like you see on TV with big gun scenes and explosions and the very next scene an über-weapon destroys a warehouse of TVs. Renee Russo (blacklisted for setting baby items on fire as part of an expose and calling it "good television") hopes to catch DeNiro going psycho AFTER he shoots a camera.It's not filled with intelligent humor or fantastic action and it's not destined to be a classic, but it certainly pokes fun at American media culture. Anyone that says DeNiro isn't funny should go back and look at the expression on his face when he gasps like it's his last breath and says, "It's Showtime!"The only disappointment was finding out that the final action scene cameos were cut from the released version.
So-So Comedy. Not bad, not good. Video Material.
posted on 06 Jan 2009Who could've dreamt pairing Eddie Murphy with Robert De Niro would be so blah?It wasn't a bad movie but wasn't great either. Murphy was good with what material he was given. De Niro has been better. There is so much better coming out this summer.This reminds me of Beverly Hills Cop in only that Sly Stallone was supposed to play Murphy's character (Axel Foley - I know hard to believe but true).
Only than Murphy was able to save a script which probably had to be a drama originally. The script here was pretty bad and Murphy did what he could to save it but I get the feeling from watching it that both Murphy and De Niro followed the script exactly as it was. It also kind of reminded me of Bowfinger - Could've been better.De Niro was De Niro but not good DeNiro. After seeing De Niro in this movie I thought about movies like Analyze This, Meet the Parents, Even Casino/Good Fellas, and Mad Dog and Glory. I will even draw a comparison to Rocky and Bullwinkle in that he appeared to have fun in those movies. Here he seemed to go thru the motions.Wait until it's on video.
Passably good self-indulgent Hollywood spoof.
posted on 23 Dec 2008I thought this film worked for the most part. The idea reminded me a lot of the similar - and IMHO more superior - LAST ACTION HERO; in that we have an action film that pokes fun at the conventions of action films.I really love Robert de Niro in this. For a long time I was a bit sceptical of the gushing hype around him as a brilliant actor - "best in the world, ever" type thing. To me, the top actors can do everything from light escapist entertainment, to deep serious profound life- delving drama. It isn't the ones who just play artsy-fashionable grunge character roles that please the academics and serious film buffs, and hardly anyone else. But Bob in this role has finally proved to me he's truly an all-rounder. His prestigious critical reputation may be tarnishing a bit by doing more broadly entertaining type roles; but to me he's finally shown that he can do pretty much everything you throw at him - any faults are now usually the production or the script. He's got the range and experience to pull virtually any character off down pat.And Eddie Murphy does cement himself as a top professional comic actor. His role in this however. does seem to be a shade lighter riff of his role(s) in BOWFINGER. And I have to complain that the lighting and make-up in this film doesn't really compliment him that well. His extended African-style brow ridge comes up very prominently in a lot of scenes, which is a bit of a distraction. But, as stated on the DVD commentary, he does prove that he is the type of star who is funny, but when he holds a gun - it's serious.Storywise, the show is pure escapist fun. It does feel a little bit like a lot of standard Hollywood action scenarios and shots are just cobbled together, going through the same old formulaic motions. But in this particular case, that actually what makes it work. The story relies on the setups and climaxes being familiar - almost clichéd. The viewer needs to be orientated very quickly as to what is happening and WHY it is happening. Not much room for anything TOO fancy or unusual. Don't get me wrong - staying with the old scene clichés can get stale REAL fast. The industry constantly needs fresh blood and ideas all the time. But it needs to be in moderation, and for a tangible reason - not just show off the glitzy new concepts for the heck of it. A bit of old and a bit of new actually works best.I have to say the villain of the piece actually is very good, with the right balance of humor and menace. And the henchman played by T J Cross is very cool and fun - especially the prison interview scene, which really cooks.And finally, kudos to William Shatner for really providing the comic highlights of the story. The guy is a pure comic gem, and deserves all the applause he can get. I think he's earned it!
Dumb Rush Hour rip off
posted on 13 Dec 2008The worst movie I've seem in a while. DeNiro and Mos Def are cool, and some of the scenes fun, but that's about it. It shamelessly rips off of Rush Hour, which is already starting to get bad (see Rush Hour 2). The stupid buddy cop action comedy movie genre has to end. Sadly, after this movie, duds like Men In Black 2 and The Tuxedo and (ugh) I Spy didn't learn the lesson. Don't see it. C-, 5/10
Disappointing
posted on 26 Aug 2009Bubbling just beneath the surface of Showtime is a good idea. Actually, it's more like two or three ideas that constantly fight for screentime.
This film doesn't just have its cake and eat it too; it has the whole bakery.Detective Mitch Preston (Robert De Niro) has a drug bust interrupted by the media and a brash, cop-slash-actor named Trey Sellars (Eddie Murphy). When Preston's partner is shot, he angrily shoots the camera out of the hands of a pestering newsman, and the tiff lands him in a new reality cop show produced by Chase Renzi (Rene Russo). In the first of many errors and oddities in the movie, that injured partner is never heard from again or alluded to for the remainder of the film.De Niro's best gag is his speech to a classroom of small children to open the picture about how TV cops don't act like real cops. Funny thing is, as the movie progresses, his character and Murphy's begin to act more and more like the clichés they supposedly clash so strongly with. In a smarter movie, De Niro's diatribe could have played as ironic comment; here, it only shows to point out how truly lame the movie is. While a spoof of a reality based cop show could be funny, the team of writers and director Tom Dey (Who made the far superior Shanghai Noon a few years ago; see that movie instead) seem to be on unsure footing, and instead of slamming the TV industry, they really let them off light (The harshest thing they seem to be able to say about network execs is they like to play ping pong at work). Russo's character has a glint of fiendish delight in her eye, but her dialogue and actions rarely match the actress' enthusiasm. With little on screen to keep my attention, my mind began to wander, and that's dangerous in a movie with this many plot holes. For instance; if Showtime (the name given to the cop show) is such a popular smash, why doesn't anyone seem to recognize De Niro and Murphy when they are on the job? For that matter, if their investigation of smuggler and all around mean guy Vargas is being televised, why the heck hasn't someone mentioned to him that they are on his trail? Then again, given this villain's actions maybe I shouldn't be surprised; this is the same joker who is very angry at an associate for using his new supergun without approval, jeopardizing a deal, and then dispatches him how? By using about ten of the superguns to level his entire house, of course! That's like putting out a fire with a bigger fire. Occasionally, Showtime gets laughs, but there simply aren't enough for the film's nearly two hour running time. Even worse, the really smart gags suggest that this movie really could have been on to something, if only they had put in a few more drafts of the script. Murphy mugs and talks as fast as he can with minimal results, and De Niro looks flat out bored through most of this. After a completely unnecessary fistfight between cops and gangsters (That remarkably results in no injuries and no arrests) Russo's character shouts `That's great television!' Perhaps it's great television, but it's far from a great movie.