Street Kings

Relentless action, positive tough guys, and negative friends with a facade, that's always been my thing and will continue to be. Whether Keanu Reeves reminisces about past trauma with a suffering expression, furrows his brow while pondering the increasing number of corpses, or simply puts on a face that says "touch me and you won't have a hand", pulls out a gun, and goes after everyone he doesn't like, I can't help but be amazed and humbled by the fact that this fast-paced and yet highly convoluted bloody corrupt affair can't be stopped. (20/07/2008)

Throughout this whole time, I had an incredibly good feeling about this movie. The actors played great and Keanu Reeves in the main role of a policeman and a madman with a gun, really nailed it. However, Keanu cut through maybe half of the film crew, so at times it was quite challenging to believe that he is actually such a tough guy, who can scare everyone he meets to earn respect. He did make it in the movie, but not really for me. On the other hand, the movie itself was not boring at all and it worked perfectly. Until the end, where he also chose the best of the whole movie. (25/06/2012)

I actually don't have any major problem with this film. Attentively respected genre conventions, a more than solid Keanu Reeves, and occasionally some hint of that unpredictability. Yet the whole thing really works well, the craftsmanship is of high quality, and how I wasn’t overly irritated by how politically correct it is with regard to the American’s own police. It's just an above average genre film that has no ambition to become a cult, which is what makes it so noble. A chill-out film with a decent level of quality. :) (21/08/2012)

A story of necessary evil. Following Harsh Times, David Ayer has succeeded with another probe into the underworld of Los Angeles. Ludlow is a great dirty hero who reels out one off the cuff wisecrack after another, and Keanu Reeves is right at home in this strange cowboy’s boots. Forest Whitaker is clearly enjoying his character, and Hugh Laurie has easily shaken off his House image. In terms of the overall plot, it can jump from predictable situations to unexpected and downright surprising endings (e.g. shovel in the head). I admit to a little hesitation in my rating because it wasn't clear-cut. At first I considered giving it 4.5 stars, but this kind of movie is just my cup of tea, and in this genre, Street Kings is the best thing I’ve recently beheld. (10/06/2008)

David Ayer is good. I've been putting Street Kings off for a long time, but I finally got around to it and I have to say it was a pleasant surprise. Keanu Reeves plays a troubled cop who kind of interprets the law to suit himself and the whole story is in his direction, but then unexpectedly bigger problems start happening that overwhelm him and the ride begins. Police corruption, action, suspense, and most importantly an A-list cast (Reeves, Forest Whitaker, Chris Evans) in a solid action flick that kind of rides its wave. In the last half hour everything takes an amazing surprising turn and the film throws one solid twist after another until the finale. I knew it’d be a good film all along, but the ending makes me throw in that extra fourth star due to its unpredictability and clever build-up. Satisfaction, and the result is a lot of fine, unpretentious "retro" fun with everyone's favourite Keanu, who is good to watch in just about any role. (06/12/2023)