2 Guns (11/18/2013)

Rated R for violence throughout, language and brief nudity.

Starring Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton and Edward James Olmos

Directed by Baltasar Kormakur (Contraband)

TODD’S WORD: I’ll take 2 Guns…and a whole lot more!

JONATHAN’S WORD: Seriously?

The film had potential, but sadly, the film makers opted to grasp at some of the typical low hanging fruit that sells tickets today.

The premise wasn’t the most original. DEA agent Bobby Trench (Washington) and U.S. naval intelligence officer Marcus Stigman (Wahlberg) worked side by side for 12 months as members of a narcotics syndicate. Each man distrusted his partner as much as the criminals they had both been tasked to take down. When their attempt to infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel and recover millions went haywire, Trench and Stigman were suddenly disavowed by their superiors. Once everyone wanted them in jail or in the ground, the only person they could count on was the other. Unfortunately for their pursuers, when good guys spend years pretending to be bad, they pick up a few tricks along the way.

TODD’S WORD: This movie has the perfect balance between chemistry and action. In my opinion, one without the other is a film that scores in the “Coaster” or “Skip It” range. On the other hand, when you have both…it’s an entertaining film that is worthy of some of your money.

JONATHAN’S WORD: As much as I didn’t like this film, I have to admit, I did like the chemistry between the characters. It didn’t hurt that they were good actors.

TODD’S WORD: I agree. The chemistry between Denzel and Mark is PERFECT. Every conversation is entertaining and left me wanting more. They play their roles with precision and commitment that is refreshing to see. The rest of the cast including Bill Paxton and Edward James Olmos are fantastic.

JONATHAN’S WORD: I have no qualms about the acting. The cast was top notch… the film had other glaring issues.

TODD’S WORD: The action was thrilling and intense. From beginning to end there are car chases, fistfights and gunplay…plus a few explosions. They are fun and exciting and add to the story.

JONATHAN’S WORD: And here’s where we will part ways. The action was okay, but frankly, it was forced at times. I could almost picture the film makers saying, “Hmmm… the script is a little dull here… I know! Let’s blow something up!” Or, “Let’s get the sexy DEA agent to take off her clothes again!”

TODD’S WORD: Sure, there were some gratuitous elements in this film, but I thought the story was strong. Part of the fun was figuring out who’s who and who’s working with whom. DEA, FBI, CIA, the Navy… oh, and the bad guys.

JONATHAN’S WORD: We’re not even on the same planet. I thought the writing was adolescent… to be nice!

My wife and I saw it on a date night. We had seen the preview and thought the premise looked creative. Plus, we like the two leads. So we sat down and actually enjoyed the beginning of the film. But after the robbery (no spoiler there—if you’ve seen the preview), the film started to digress. Let me give you some examples:

• The female DEA agent, aka “eye candy.” Are we supposed to believe all DEA agents look like this? How convenient that she was naked in the next scene.


• The CIA as the bad guys. Really? How original is that? The CIA are corrupt? I’ve never seen that before. (Seriously… I’d rather see Steven Seagal’s Above the Law than this. A Steven Seagal film! That’s a new low!)


• The predictability. My wife started laughing at me because I would lean over and say, “She’s in on it.” Or “He’s gonna show up.” And I nailed it every time. I hate it when I’m smarter than the film makers!

I just don’t have the heart to score it A COASTER, because there were actually some fun moments between Wahlberg and Washington. So I’ll have to say, “SKIP IT.”

TODD’S WORD: I can’t agree. I was entertained for the entire 109 minutes. If you enjoy smart action films, check this one out. It’s “Theater Worthy.” In fact the only reason it’s not “Worth Buying” to me was because the language and nudity were just gratuitous.

JONATHAN’S WORD: We agree on something- the gratuitous elements. It’s sad when you see Hollywood sell out to gimmicks like that, especially when they don’t even fit into the plot.

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
Sometimes R-rated films can be more appropriate than PG-13 films, but this one is not one of those cases—it’s pretty graphic. https://thesource4ym.com/moviereviews/moviediscretion.aspx

We see Paula Patton topless in one scene and in a bra and panties in another scene. There is quite a bit of profanity including over 30 F-words.

Furthermore, and probably more importantly, the film is almost void of any consequences for risky (or just plain stupid) behaviors. Both guys shoot each other in this film and walk away—a laughing matter. Please don’t label us prude, but the imitatable behavior potential for this film is huge.

CONVERSATION STARTER—If by chance your kids see this film anyway (which we don’t recommend), here’s a few items of discussion:

1. Bobby and Marcus have lengthy conversations about being each other’s “people.” Why do we need people?


2. Who are your people?


3. READ Proverbs 18:24
   
   There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
   
   How did Marcus and Bobby stick closer than a brother?


4. What are some ways you and your friends stick closer than a brother?