Blu-Ray Review: Funny ‘The Other Guys’ With Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg

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CHICAGO – What does a smart man like Will Ferrell do after a total disaster like “Land of the Lost”? Return to the man who has proven that he knows how to use him best, regular collaborator Adam McKay (“Anchorman,” “Talladega Nights,” “Step Brothers”), delivering the laughs that his fans have come to expect and even a few that they won’t see coming. Recently released on DVD and Blu-ray, “The Other Guys” is a funny movie with a few too many jokes that hit the floor to be considered great but an entertaining diversion nonetheless.

HollywoodChicago.com Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0
Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

Officers Allen Gamble (Will Ferrell) and Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) have been reduced to desk duty, often doing the paperwork of superstar cops Danson (Dwayne Johnson) and Highsmith (Samuel L. Jackson) after they steal the headlines and get all the attention. Allen doesn’t seem to mind being one of the other guys but Terry, demoted to this position after an accidental shooting involving Derek Jeter, longs for something more. It doesn’t help that he hates Allen.

Allen stumbles on to the case of the year when he tries to arrest a powerful investment manager (Steve Coogan) for some faulty paperwork. It turns out that the investor is in the middle of a complex Ponzi Scheme and our two bumbling cops are about to be caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Allen has a gorgeous wife named Sheila (Eva Mendes) while Terry has an underwritten ex-girlfriend named Francine (Lindsay Sloane). Michael Keaton, Bobby Cannavale, Rob Riggle, Damon Wayans Jr., and Anne Heche all co-star.

The Other Guys was released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 14th, 2010
The Other Guys was released on Blu-ray and DVD on December 14th, 2010
Photo credit: Sony

“The Other Guys” works best when the surreal aspects of the McKay/Ferrell brand are allowed time in the spotlight. It’s the out-of-nowhere jokes like the fate of Danson and Highsmith, a running joke about TLC songs, or a line like “I’m going to do you grandpa style” that make “The Other Guys” refreshingly entertaining in a genre where lack of originality is often the biggest problem. Ferrell and Wahlberg are clearly having a blast and they’re more perfectly matched than you might expect. It’s great to see them brilliantly-invert expectations as in when Wahlberg proves he can do a pirouette and Ferrell gets his pimp hand on.


The 107-minute theatrical version really starts to spin its wheels and there’s no way the film needs to be ten minutes longer in its extended form. The film never falls into a completely ineffective groove but it keeps threatening to do so. It moves in fits and starts with some totally dead scenes followed by a few great ones. Ultimately, the laughs out-weigh the duds, and that’s really all you ask for in a comedy rental. If he keeps this up, we may even forgive “Land of the Lost.”

The collection of special features on “The Other Guys” notably comes from the same off-kilter viewpoint as the film with some great “Line-O-Rama” improvised bits and even a commentary by some of the key players’ mothers. It’s a great Blu-ray for a nearly-great comedy.

Special Features:
o Both Theatrical & Unrated Film Versions
o Deleted and Extended Scenes
o “Bed, Bath, & Way Beyond” — Watch Captain Mauch In Action!
o “Crash and Burn!” — Stunt Featurette
o Gag Reel
o Line-O-Rama
o “Pimps Don’t Cry” Music Video
o The “Mom-mentary” featuring Will Ferrell, Chris Henchy, and Adam McKay’s moms
o movieIQ+sync

“The Other Guys” stars Will Ferrell, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Keaton, Rob Riggle, Damon Wayans Jr., Eva Mendes, Lindsay Sloane, Steve Coogan, Anne Heche, Samuel L. Jackson, and Dwayne Johnson. It was written by Adam McKay & Chris Henchy and directed by McKay. The Blu-ray and DVD were released on December 14th, 2010 by Sony.

HollywoodChicago.com content director Brian Tallerico

By BRIAN TALLERICO
Content Director
HollywoodChicago.com
brian@hollywoodchicago.com

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