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Bang, Bang Buddy Cop films 12/08/05

So what IS the buddy cop film form? Where did it come from and why should people care? All legitimate questions, and ones that were raised in this week's analysis by the MI team (Mike, Stephanie, Adrienne and Peter). The answer lies in your local multiplex, where a great majority of films involve mismatched cops who are forcibly teamed together to solve a crime. The formula of the buddy cop film form has been regurgiated a great many ways in with no so great results.

Peter had the opportunity to see Shane Black's directorial debut "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang" and loved its knowing sense of humour -- which mocked the buddy cop film as much as it played into it. Most critics argue that the form originated in 1982 with the release of "48 Hours". That film starred Nick Nolte as a hard-nosed cop who is forced to work with a fast-talking convict, played by Eddie Murphy, in order to bring down a murderous fugitive. The film thrived on the chemistry between the two actors, and the simplicity of the plot. Murphy capitalized on this success by releasing "Beverly Hills Cop" in 1984. Here he played Axel Foley, a low-rent police detective from Detroit, who is forced to work with high-ranking Beverly Hills detectives in order to solve the homicide of a friend. And then came "Lethal Weapon" in 1987. Written by Shane Black and directed by Richard Donner, this film paired Mel Gibson as a renegade, suicidal cop with Danny Glover, a family man ready for retirement. Their mission? Solve a homicide/murder. I could go on, but it may seem a little tedious and redundant. The film form has issued several turkeys, such as Walter Hill's "Red Heat" starring Jim Belushi and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Cop and a Half starring Burt Reynolds and some kid. Still when the chemistry between the actors works, these films can be exciting entertainment.

"Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang", written and directed by Shane Black, brings the buddy cop film form full circle. The film features Robert Downey Jr. and Val Kilmer as a thief/turned actor and gay private detective, respectively, who team up to solve a murder. Only, in this film, the thief offers humorous voice-over narrative that echoes the hard-boiled detective films of Hollywood past. It was determined that buddy cop films are violent and homophobic. "Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang" works because it fits within the form, but doesn't necessarily abide by these rules.