Street Kings 2: Motor City (2011)

Wonderful character development!

Highly Overrated But Still Good

best movie i've ever seen.

It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning Following the killing of his partner outside a nightclub and a spate of recent cop killings, Detective Marty Kingston (Ray Liotta) takes it upon himself to find and bring down who is responsible. But he is taken aback at being saddled with cocky rookie cop Detective Jimmy Rogan (Kevin Chapman) whose dedication and commitment to tracking down the guilty party matches his...and sets in chain a motion of events that will expose a terrifying case of police corruption.So we have Ray Liotta in a straight to DVD sequel to a film originally starring Keanu Reeves that went to theatres??? Something's not quite right when an actor of Liotta's quality accepts roles in straight to DVD films that were originally occupied by an actor the, well, quality of Reeves in films that went to theatres. Anyway, so we have Liotta in the lead role, showing his age a little now, with more than the odd grey hair, a significant weight gain and a performance that just doesn't have the manic intensity that's always been his speciality (which may explain why he's appearing in straight to DVD sequels these days.) Being a sequel to a film that only managed to be of average quality in itself, it's unfair to expect too much of this lesser profile offering, which, to be fair, has a fairly engaging detective story to it. If only it didn't feel quite so by the numbers and hazy, not quite as intelligent as it thinks it is and gradually more formulaic as it goes on. Oh well, at least it's short. **

'STREET KINGS 2: MOTOR CITY': Three Stars (Out of Five) Sequel to the 2008 dirty cop film 'STREET KINGS', which was directed by David Ayer (who wrote the similar themed films 'TRAINING DAY', 'DARK BLUE' and 'HARSH TIMES'). This one is directed by Chris Fisher (who also directed the crooked cop film 'DIRTY' and another direct to video loose sequel 'S. DARKO') and it's written by Ed Gonzalez and Jeremy Haft. It stars Ray Liotta and Shawn Hatosy and the only returning cast member from the original is Clifton Powell as Sergeant Greene. The film once again deals with police corruption and an investigation into multiple police murders. It's set in Detroit rather than L.A. and is really just a sequel in name only. As far as direct to video sequels go of this nature it's surprisingly entertaining and at least somewhat well made.Ray Liotta plays veteran police detective Marty Kingston and Shawn Hatosy plays rookie detective Dan Sullivan. When Marty's partner is murdered he's put on assignment to head up the investigation with Sullivan. A series of clues lead to the possibility that the murder was an inside job and a police detective is the culprit. Dan is expecting a child with his young wife and he soon finds his family in danger as well as his faith in the job.The movie is pretty routine and predictable and there's definitely no big surprises. There's of course nothing groundbreaking or too memorable about the film but it is well made none the less. Hatosy and Liotta are good like always and their characters are relatable and mostly believable. The action scenes are decent and somewhat thrilling and if you like the genre you'll definitely be interested and involved in how it all works out. Nothing great or outstanding but it is an enjoyable and well made cop thriller all the same.Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU_O9yN8W_E

How far should you dig on an investigation. After a series of police murders, Detectives Marty (Liotta) and Dan (Hatosy) and picked to head the investigation. After following some clues, Dan finds a trail of corruption that shakes him and his faith in the system. It's been awhile since I've seen the first "Street Kings" but I remember it being a little slow and not liking it that much. This one I thought was much faster paced, had more action, and to me was a better movie. Not much in the way of originality here, but a very enjoyable movie and much, much better then I was expecting. Going into too much depth will give away the movie, (it is a little predictable, but still...) but I will say this movie will not disappoint you. Weather you like the original or not, this is a good time. I think this one of the few sequels that is better then the original. I give it a B+.Would I watch again? - I think I would

This movie is like a poor mans Training Day. But, without even a single twist. The script leaves an awful lot to be desired.It has absolutely zero resemblance to the gritty Street Kings crime drama that came before it. The only reason I watched it was because Ray Liotta was in it. I would say save your money, but I'm not sure it even made it into theaters. If you don't have anything better to do, it's certainly not the worst movie. But don't expect anything like Street Kings of 2008.