Kevin Marshall's America
“The Other Guys” ***1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Directed by: Adam McKay
Starring: Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Eva Mendes, Rob Riggle, Damon Wayans, Jr., Dwayne Johnson, Samuel L. Jackson, Michael Keaton
Mark Wahlberg reacts badly on the set when Will Ferrell mentions "The Happening"
For all the hoopla surrounding the minute-long cameo Albany made in the (unintentionally) goofy Angelina Jolie vehicle “Salt,” there was comparably little surrounding the (intentionally) goofy buddy cop spoof “The Other Guys,” which once again paired Will Ferrell with director Adam McKay.
Which is a shame, because Albany is better utilized in this film, which is McKay’s funniest since “Anchorman.”
The film explores the rest of the police force in a buddy cop action flick: the guys who sit in awe of the police force’s demigods (Samuel L. Jackson and Dwayne Johnson) and the guys who have to fill out all the paperwork and deal with the wreckage left behind by the excessive force and property damage.
It’s the latter group that our protagonists fall into. Will Ferrell is a boring accountant obsessed with the bureaucracy of the job, while his partner (Mark Wahlberg) is a frustrated detective assigned to ride the desk after an unfortunate (and hilarious) mishap on the job.
What makes the film work is the constant acknowledgement of how completely illogical it and most action films are; the prime example coming when Jackson and Johnson’s characters make their exit.
McKay also perfectly casts this film, which is full of familiar faces. Ferrell naturally delivers in his role, but Mark Wahlberg deserves props for being so completely earnest when delivering ridiculous assertions of attacks from Colombian drug lords and expressing a desire to be an action movie star in a world that clearly won’t allow – and doesn’t want – him to be one. Him and Ferrell are the typical diametrically opposed forces you see in buddy cop action films but to an extreme. What makes it work so well is that the two have fantastic on-screen chemistry and despite being almost distractingly huge stars, they completely fall into their roles.
McKay also deserves credit for assembling a great supporting cast. Dwayne Johnson shows again what professional wrestling fans knew in the late 90s: he has a very real (and underutilized) gift for comedic timing. Former “The Daily Show” correspondent Rob Riggle makes an appearance as one of Ferrell’s two primary tormentors in the station, and is one of the highlights of the film. Michael Keaton, who I always felt was criminally underrated and isn’t in nearly enough films, shows incredible range as the police Captain who moonlights at Bed, Bath & Beyond to put his bisexual son through NYU.
All of the running gags work, and some segments are memorable and made me laugh so hard I nearly cried. In particular there’s a great sequence involving Ferrell and his character’s wife (played by Eva Mendes) relaying messages to each other through her elderly mother. The scene also illustrates perhaps the film’s greatest strength: having these ridiculous characters operating in a world that goes beyond reacting to their shenanigans to openly question their sanity and existence.
As for Albany? It makes a prominent appearance in the film’s opening and in a later chase sequence, and is utilized far better than it was in “Salt.” In that film it was used as a means to an end; in this film, the city is recognizable only if you look incredibly hard for it, and serves as the perfect replacement for Manhattan. More attention was given to its appearance in “Salt,” but this is the film that will launch more sojourns for Hollywood into the Capital District.
Share it!
10 Responses to Albany Shines in “The Other Guys”
Leave a Reply to Donna H Cancel reply
STALK ME
can’t wait to see it! the cashier & bag boy were discussing this movie as I checked out, so it seems like its a big splash! I love Will Ferrell & am still bitter they won’t make an anchorman II
I got an invite to see this flick at the Malta Drive in as a MINI motoring event and am now even more excited!! Thanks for this blog Kevin!! I get to have a blast with other MINI folk getting a taste of Albany in our movie as well!! Last year’s added excitement at the drive in event (G-Force) was my Guinea Pigs, now it will be the Taste of Albany! Life is grand! Thanks Kevin! Keep up with the great blogs!!
Saw the movie this past weekend. It was hilarious. Excellent movie.
Is Will Ferrell Will Ferrell in this movie? Because, I’ve never really ever been able to enjoy him (other than, perhaps, in the one (blanking on the name) where he is a character someone is writing and making come (literally) alive, and perhaps Anchorman). Also he disturbs me because i think he has too great a penchant for trying to get naked or in his skivvies in his movies (does he do that in this one?).
It’s Rob Riggle, not Roy.
Bird – It’s not a sequel per se, but there is a collection of deleted and alternate scenes compiled to make up another film called “Wake Up, Ron Burgundy.” It’s on DVD (IMDB entry here). I agree though in the sense that there’s a lost opportunity for Burgundy’s journey as a national news anchor in the 1980s covering Reagan, the hostage crises and military juntas.
Pat – You’re welcome; hope you enjoy the movie!
BL – FWIW, I like Ferrell when he’s Ferrell and when he’s not (the film you’re thinking of is “Stranger Than Fiction”). I think this is definitely an example of him stretching out a bit; he can’t help but have some of the Ferrell mannerisms, but he’s not over-the-top weird Ferrell like he is in “Step-Brothers,” et al.
Em – I just spent two minutes going “am I losing my mind? Because it totally says “Rob” and not “Roy.” Then I saw the very top of the post. *smacks forehead* Thanks! Corrected.
So, Albany only made a limited appearance in “The Other Guys.” Good, I saved admission–whatever that amount was (last movie I saw in-theater was “Arthur.”) Also, outside, I was able to view all I wanted of Albany–in 3D and living color. Didn’t miss any humor, either. For a mere $1.50, I rode the bus, where more than one hilarious conversation couldn’t help but be overheard.
How was Derek Jeter’s performance?
If they could give an Oscar for Best Cameo as Him/Herself, he’d be up for it. ;)
Thank you. Don’t know if it’s my cup of tea or not (looks like it’s either really funny or really stupid) but I too was wondering why no hype about it when it actually tied up more of Albany than Salt. And downtown instead of a freaking highway.
Maybe when it gets on TV or something… but only because it’s Albany and Ferrell. (I liked “Elf” though how could he miss costarring with two greats like Bob Newhart and Ed Asner?)
I confess to being a little put off by working in the building manager’s office of a downtown building that shall remain nameless but was rather inconvenienced by the shooting. Major work planned for months had to be rescheduled. I’ll take a pass on Albany doing future gigs as Hollywood.