Hollywood Homicide Reviews

I have always been a fan of Harrison Ford but, honestly, like some older actors like Robert de Niro and Al Pacino his career has become pretty pathetic lately. At least, de Niro is pretty honest about it and it is understandable that an actor when he has reached 70 years old doesn’t feel the need anymore to play some amazingly demanding parts but is it really necessary to spoil a whole legacy of great movies in the process? Anyway, this movie managed to get his weakest reviews so far (even ‘Paranoia’, arguably the biggest flop released in 2013, has a better rating in Imdb) so I wasn’t expecting much. Eventually, I have seen worse and it is not an awful flick but it was still a terribly weak and misguided action-comedy. It actually had some potential but satire is one of the most difficult genres and it works only if the makers are willing to go all the way. In this case, since it remains a mainstream feature, it was reduced to a couple of jokes and some funny oneliners but that was about it, I’m afraid. To conclude, I’m afraid it deserves its poor reputation and I don’t think it is really worth a look.

K.C.: "Well, what do you think?"
Joe Gavilan: "Write this down... Cheeseburger, well done. Raw onion, pickle, ketchup. Nothing else."

What is there to expect from an aging Harrison Ford featuring in a buddy cop action/comedy film? Following the surge of bad reviews Hollywood Homicide was shamefully forced to bear, I certainly didn't expect much even considering talent involved. The trailer did look extremely funny; however the aforementioned negative reviews resulted in my decision to skip the theatrical run and perhaps eventually hire it when it is cheap to do so. It really pains me to say this, but the film is a lot more fun than some critics gave it credit to be. Hollywood Homicide is far from being even considered a great movie, maybe not even a good movie. Be that as it may, there is no denying that the film at least stocks a good supply of laughs and some of the action is lively and energetic.

Hollywood Homicide is equipped with an appallingly stereotypical plotline that we have literally seen hundreds of times before. Its structure and series of events in particular is clichéd beyond all comprehension. It pretty much goes without saying that the plot is the film's biggest downfall.

The incredibly convoluted story concerns a murder investigation. Said investigation is instigated following the murder of an up-and-coming rap group who were performing in a nightclub when violently blasted by masked gunmen. Assigned to take the case is aging LAPD detective Joe Gavilan (Ford) with his young rookie partner K.C. Calden (Hartnett). The two detectives moonlight dual careers: Joe is also a real estate broker who struggles to sell houses when not scrutinising a murder (currently attempting to sell an expensive heavy elephant), while K.C. has tremendous aspirations as an actor (currently working on staging a performance of A Streetcar Named Desire) as well as a yoga teacher to a bevy of young women who are searching for their inner spiritual being. The two cops then delve into the recording industry, thus beginning a tale of modern LA detectives on the Hollywood beat; attempting to juggle two careers that spontaneously take precedence.

So what else happens in amidst this convoluted plot I hear you think? Joe is desperately trying to sort out another real estate deal, K.C. is a busy stud, Joe is under investigation by Internal Affairs and Joe begins dating a radio psychic named Ruby (Olin).

Like I previously stated, the central plot of Hollywood Homicide is barely present. It seems all the sub-plots that endlessly emerge are dreadfully clichéd and only included to stretch out the film's lengthy running time. The pacing is an issue because the film plods - by the one hour mark nothing has really happened that advances the story at all. It takes a while for some of the action to kick in. Thankfully, the two chases present in the film are some of the genre's finest and funniest. I'm happy to report that some of this action does represent a redeeming feature.

Harrison Ford doesn't look very enthusiastic to be present in the cast. Occasionally he does do some embarrassing things that are worth a giggle or two, and some of his lines are very funny; however he does the same role over and over again. Josh Hartnett doesn't get beyond two-dimensional as the rookie detective-come-actor-come-yoga-teacher. Once again there are a few clever lines but nothing else to find here. It's a regrettable fact that most of the funny dialogue moments are spoiled in the trailer. It certainly does have its fair share of laughs. It's just unfortunate that these laughs are few and far between.

Hollywood Homicide is forgettable, and confusingly stuck between comedy, action and crime. The clash of the genres doesn't produce excellent results by any stretch of the imagination. On occasion the film is incredibly silly and stupid while also being funny and entertaining. Writer and director Shelton should have focused on the one genre, and should have made the film taut. Aside from its flaws it's an occasionally entertaining film that I would watch again. Look out for cameos by Eric Idle, Lou Diamond Phillips and many others.

6.0/10

I think I caught about 15 minutes of this. I say caught because I saw 15 minutes in the last half of the movie when I was searching channels on TV for something to watch. I'm actually amazed I lasted that long (take out the ads though and it's less then 15).

It was really a pathetic attempt. For starters, yes it's an action film and yes it had action but it seemed to try to be a comedy as well which didn't work. Basically when a movie that shouldn't be funny tries to be funny, it doesn't end up funny. It ends up being pathetic and embarrassing.

And that's only after watching it for 15 minutes. Imagine all the things I could have said about it if I had of watched the whole thing! That wouldn't of happened though because I have a feeling I would've lost the plot.

After attempting to see this movie (I had to shut it off within half hour, to save my brain cells), I wondered wether Ford had to make this movie as a favor to someone, or payback for something, or maybe extortion. I cannot comprehend how else Harrison Ford could've chosen this role. I think he realized just how bad it is too, since he just walks around and reads off his line monotonely, with about as much enthusiam for acting this role as my teen brother has in doing yard work at my parent's cottage. I mean, Hartnett, I expect him to have such roles in these idiotic movies. He's a talentless hack that only gets roles because of his looks. But I did not expect Ford to willingly choose such a bad movie to be in.