Bon Cop Bad Cop (2013)

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Simply Perfect

Best movie ever!

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

Canada is a funny country, and when I say that I don't just mean that we have all the best comedians, because we do, but we're funny in a lot of different ways. We tend to keep a low profile on the world stage and then gripe that we don't get enough attention. We like when our citizens become successful in Hollywood or other places in the world but don't like it that they can't get famous here in Canada. Most of all we make tend to make region specific movies and then take issue with the fact that no one outside our region wants to watch them. It's an interesting contradiction we live with and if you really think about it, it's pretty funny.We are getting better at it though, in recent years I have seen a number of Canadian films that are smarter, more relatable and better generally for a wider audience than just Canadians. In some cases we're a little ways off, in other ways we are way off. One of the films that tried to move us in the right direction is Bon Cop/Bad Cop. A film that's set and focused on Canadian culture, but with a distinctly more Hollywood feel. Buddy cop movies have been something of a lost art lately. There are all kinds of cop movies and TV shows out nowadays but buddy cops had their heyday in the 70s and 80s and haven't really recovered.In some ways Bon Cop/Bad Cop is a throwback to those types of films but with more modern technology and special effects. Where I think that the film has issues is that it relies too heavily on Canadian stereotypes. The ones we have about ourselves like the French/English divide, with some truth to it but a lot of fiction. As well as more international stereotypes like an obsession with hockey and kindness. I have never been a big fan of playing to stereotypes, I prefer commentaries to out and out parody or exploiting stereotypes, at least as a general rule. Things like Bob and Doug and Austin Powers are good in small doses but they can go too far if money gets involved.Bon Cop/Bad Cop keeps things from going too far, but it also doesn't go far enough for a one shot movie like this. Austin Powers worked because it pushed the envelope in the comedy department but had enough held back for an extra couple of rounds. This movie doesn't go far enough for a single one much less several, not that they were planning on more but then not going far enough doesn't really make sense. It has a lot of good elements that make it fun to watch but it ultimately falls short of any serious message except that Canadian filmmakers don't have to act like Canadian filmmakers.Bon Cop/Bad Cop: What makes a good Canadian movie? I haven't quite figured that out yet but I don't think this movie has it.To check out my other reviews, go here:http://andrew-heard.blogspot.ca/

This Canadian movie was probably shown very little in the USA but I read that it was very popular in Canada. My public library never bought it but I found the DVD on Netflix.The movie is dark because we see the results of several grizzly murders. But there is an overall comedic approach as two cops must become unlikely partners to try and solve the murders and capture the murderer.Why do they have to cooperate? Because the murder that starts things off has the body draped over the large sign that separates Canadian regions, so in fact the body is half in each district.The movie has a hockey theme, a disillusioned Canadian fan is upset because Canadian teams are being sold and moved outside Canada. One specifically was rumored to being moved to Houston, Texas. {big Grin}Anyway a few scenes are a bit too absurd to really enjoy, but overall the writing and acting are good and whether they ever solve the crimes is an afterthought. But they do, eventually.

This is a French Canadian production which certainly can't match the best Hollywood ones. The photography of this movie is horrible along with the colors. Everything is sort of green. Some situations are brought to the extreme where the actors overact. Despite these premises the movie works fine! Entertaining! We have a French cop and an English one. Each one speaks his own language giving the movie a colorful tone. The dualism works fine along with the charisma the actors have. The action is good, the suspense also. Everything is very ironic. When the action stops the excellent chemistry between the actors kicks in and the movie is really fun. We are ready for a sequel.

Great, funny, buddy movie!Excellent action, funny jokes, off-beat, fresh morbid humor (hang around after the first shocker - it gets funnier but no grosser).The 2 leads are perfectly matched, & their characters develop to show the depth of the values they share. That sounds rather high falutin' for such a tough, fast, violent flick, but these guys are really knights in disguise. And the twist in this film is that the superficial differences that keep the dialogue tense and quick underscore that they both just want the same thing - their kids, a job & someone to smile at.I loved the hockey angle, and while I'm sure many of the Canadian jokes sailed right over my American head, the twisted, subtle and clever patter smoothed that right over. Lots of jokes, visual, verbal, situational and character-driven. The French-speaking police chief is a priceless buffoon, and there are many excellent bit parts.A lot of women may not like this one for its intense violence & sweat-soaked action. Not me - I say, get a 6-pack of your favorite beer & get ready to have a great time.Director & actors: Sequel PLEASE!