Dark Blue
Directed by:
Ron SheltonScreenplay:
David AyerCinematography:
Barry PetersonComposer:
Terence BlanchardCast:
Kurt Russell, Scott Speedman, Michael Michele, Ving Rhames, Brendan Gleeson, Kurupt, Dash Mihok, Jonathan Banks, Lolita Davidovich, Khandi Alexander (more)VOD (1)
Plots(1)
In America, the police are sworn to uphold the law and protect the innocent. But on the streets, it's everyone for themselves--and the streets are where policeman Eldon Perry honed his craft. Perry is a veteran cop in Los Angeles, one of the toughest cities in the world. A member of the LAPD's elite Special Investigations Squad, Perry is known for his tough street tactics, fiery temper, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to bring someone to justice. Perry plays fast and loose with the rules and goes over the line--until another cop vows to bring him down. When the SIS is assigned a high-profile quadruple homicide, Perry is put on the case along with SIS rookie Bobby Keough. Investigating the murders alongside Perry, Keough soon learns the grim realities of police intimidation and corruption. Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Holland is the only man in the department willing to stand up to the SIS. The SIS is a tight brotherhood, and no one has ever dared to take them on--until now. While Perry and Keough are trying to solve the murder, Holland is trying to end Perry's brand of single-handed "justice."Over the course of four days, the brutal murder and a racially charged trial trigger an explosive chain of events that resonate throughout Los Angeles. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (3)
Great. An Ellroy and Ayer screenplay = top-notch police thriller. Everybody sees Training Day in this and rightly so, Dark Blue complements it fairly well (the screenplay took eight years to write, so I think we can’t talk of stealing ideas). A beautiful build-up of tension at the ending, great lines and Kurt Russell on his best form. Shelton’s just average direction was disappointing, this could have been a real hit. The story and the actors had it in them.
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An awfully average crime film that doesn't stand out in any way and instead drowns in tons of clichés and predictable plot twists. Not even the excellent supporting roles and the likeable Scott Speedman, whom I still have pegged as the medic from Underworld, can help. The showdown between good cops and bad guys couldn’t be more generic and less gripping. What’s surprising is that the screenplay was written by none other than Brian Helgeland. However, Kurt Russell fits the role decently and the biggest issue is the excessively slow pace. The action in this action film is truly minimal and the there aren’t that many skillfully filmed scenes, either. But there is a strong one that stands out and it is thanks to the doctor from ER.
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I've probably always wanted to see Kurt Russell as a corrupt policeman alcoholic, because from the beginning of this film it was clear to me that this role was really for him and that he would be great at it until the end. And he was. Dark Blue is a surprisingly good crime story, a little longer than I'd like, but with an interesting story and an emphasis on human conscience. In addition to Russell, Brendan Gleeson also performed brilliantly.
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