Though stereotypical for its genre, Street Kings provides an entertaining ride through the corrupt world of the LAPD. Combining an action packed script, some nasty twists and a handful of amazing acting performances, the film does justice in providing audiences with a true R-rated crime drama.
Tom Ludlow has never felt restricted by the law. Wearing his LAPD badge with pride, Ludlow shoots when needed, always saving the day and keeping the innocent out of harm's way. But when his former partner, Detective Terrance Washington, is killed in an apparent random convenient store robbery, Ludlow refuses to listen to Captain Wander, wanting nothing but justice for the killers. Teaming up with a Robbery Homicide Detective, Ludlow tracks the killers through the streets of Los Angeles, finally finding them in a heated confrontational that could prove to be Ludlow's last stretch outside the bounds of the law.
Leading an all-star cast, Keanu Reeves gives the performance of his career as the law-bending cop Tom Ludlow. Showing a strong lack of physical emotion and a conscience for what is right, Ludlow seems to be the perfect fit in the police system; however, he just can't seem to get things right. Doing the dirty work for his boss, Captain Wander, Ludlow has all the pressure on his shoulders as he is forced to lie and cheat the system to make sure that his unit gets the best treatment by the state. However, what truly makes Reeves' performance so amazing is the transformation that he makes within the film. Unlike the normal film, where the lead makes a realization and drastically changes his ways, Reeves was forced to be more subtle, digging into his character and playing with his deep emotions and uncanny personality. His portrayal was dead-on and ultimately saved the film from being a déjà -vu experience for the viewers.
Then we have Academy Award winner Forest Whitaker as the back-stabbing Captain Wander. Known for his dramatic, powerful roles, Whitaker rises to the occasion as he steals every scene he is in, demanding your attention as he forces you to fixate your eyes on his every move. In fact, the role itself is actually quite mediocre; however, as soon as Whitaker takes the realm you get a sense of authority and fear, one that helps convey the feelings and emotions that are shared on screen. The man has a secret and through body language and hidden dialogue, the viewer is forced to piece together the clues to discover the true Captain that lies beneath the surface.
But that isn't it. The film also stars Chris Evans of Fantastic Four fame as a Robbery Homicide Detective that assists Ludlow in confronting the manic killers. And though his role is quite small, it is absolutely crucial in the big picture. In fact, if it had not been played perfectly, the entire film would have suffered. But luckily, Evans delivers as his performance is raw and climatic, giving the audience an innocent person to watch as he gets wrapped-up in the world of corruption.
Then there is Hugh Laurie from TV's 'House' as Biggs, the agent from Internal Affairs. Tabbed as the bad guy from the very beginning Laurie absorbs his character, bringing a serious and stern side to the big screen. And lastly there is Cedric the Entertainer, who is somewhat of a surprise in this heavily weighed down cast. Playing as a connection between the cops and the killers, Cedric provides a much needed comical break in the film, creating smiles during the most serious of situations. His timing is perfect, and though his character gets a little goofy towards the end, it is nice to experience a little comedy within the confines of such a dramatic film.
Lastly I want to commend director David Ayer. Taking what could have easily been conceived as a generic script about corruption within the LAPD, Ayer created a style and perspective that gave the film an edge. In addition, his ability to get the most out of his cast was simply amazing, as each shared the screen perfectly and came together to make a well rounded, entertaining film"¦one that should not be missed!
