 "Photo: Courtesy of Fox Searchlight Pictures")
"Street Kings" follows the life of Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves), a Los Angeles detective assigned to a special vice squad led by Jack Wander (Forest Whitaker).
They follow an any-means-necessary set of rules when going about their day-to-day routine, which includes hiding evidence, kidnapping and murder.
Their intention is often to deal with criminals more effectively. Director David Ayer ("Training Day" and "Harsh Times") attempts to create a "Dirty Harry" persona for Reeves by showing his softer side and giving him a partner (Chris Evans) whom he, of course, doesn't like but eventually accepts. When his former partner, Terrence Washington (Terry Crews), is murdered after it is discovered he may have been informing on the unit, Ludlow embarks on a mission to find out who is responsible.
As with most of Ayer films, "Kings" borrows heavily from things done in the past. From the good cop-bad cop routine to the alcoholic cop on the edge, "Kings" just feels like it has all been done before.
The movie offers little in the way of originality. Not to say it's poorly done. Reeves, Whitaker and Laurie all offer performances on par with their ridiculously large paychecks.
The movie boasts an all-star cast (including Common and The Game), but it follows an old formula far too closely.
Although he has done some great work before, David Ayer is becoming very predictable in his narratives.
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