Let's Be Cops
Damon Wayans, Jr. and Jake Johnson as two wannabe officers in "Let's Be Cops"
Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans, Jr. are roommates who have just turned 30 yet haven’t accomplished any of their life goals. Both guys made a pact that if they hadn’t found success by the time they reached their 30th birthdays, they’d move out of the city. Wayans, Jr. is a video game designer struggling to make a name for himself at his company, while Johnson’s only post-collegiate accomplishment was starring in a commercial for a herpes medication. Basically, it’s time to start packing their bags.
There is no explanation for “why” this duo hasn’t done anything with their lives other than an obvious lack of motivation (something that would have been properly explained if they were stoners). In "Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle," the duo’s mediocrity is explained by the fact that they smoke weed, heavily. The same is true of Seth Rogen and James Franco in "Pineapple Express." If "Let's Be Cops" would have added that element, it would have explained a lot.
Many of the jokes fall flat because it's baffling as to just how two 30-year olds could be so mediocre without being stoners. Johnson’s character — a former college quarterback — relives his glory days on the turf by dominating prepubescent kids in pickup football games at the park. Wayans, Jr. (much like Harold) has a crush on a girl but doesn’t know how to approach her. Really? You’re 30 years old and don’t know how to say “hi” to a girl? That’s #20YearOldProblems. Come on, bro.
"Let's Be Cops" presents flat characters reminiscent of a "Saturday Night Live" skit where the characters have no back story and you must simply accept what’s on the screen so the actors can deliver their jokes. There is plenty of physical comedy and a few laugh-out-loud moments in the film, but overall there are too many missed opportunities that come from lackluster screenwriting.
The gist of the film is that the duo shows up to their college reunion dressed as police officers (this misinterpret "masquerade party" for "costume party"). They soon realize that everyone believes their costumes are real uniforms and that living life as cops is actually way more fulfilling than their present lifestyle.
If "Let's Be Cops" would have given a little more realism to these characters, this could have been a solid film. Alas, it's a stoner comedy that just isn't.
2/5 Yaps
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UKIAZjs__Xc