★ 6 / 10
Well there's certainly nothing original here, but it's
CinemaSerf
Well there's certainly nothing original here, but it's still not a badly executed crime drama that sees spunky young journalist "Pollack" (Justin Timberlake)…
Well there's certainly nothing original here, but it's still not a badly executed crime drama that sees spunky young journalist "Pollack" (Justin Timberlake) fall out with his boss "Ashford" (Morgan Freeman) over some sloppy article he wrote about a man convicted that he doubts is guilty. Indeed, he is convinced that there are some crooked goings-on here and determines to investigate. This is a dangerous path to follow, though, as swiftly he and his girlfriend are on the end of a nasty beating and are only saved by the timely intervention of "Deed" (LL Cool J) whom by now we know is part of the specialist police FRAT squad, and they are the folks that seem to make the rules up as they go along. Soon "Ashford" starts to believe his young reporter and things get even more deadly for just about everyone. For some inexplicable reason, auteur David J. Burke lets the audience in on pretty much all of the secrets right from the get go, so there is precious little jeopardy as this set piece narrative unfolds. Timberlake looks good, Kevin Spacey features competently as the investigator of the investigators and Freeman sinks some Scotch meaningfully, perhaps to alleviate the predictability of the whole thing. It's well put together and to be fair, the writing isn't the worst - but it just comes across as a market research exercise to see how the public react to JT (keeping his clothes on). Instantly forgettable, sorry.
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★ 7 / 10
Another View of Police Corruption
gradyharp
Though this movie has a first rate roster of fine actors, special effects that are excellent, and a story line that is full of surprises, it wasn't picked up…
Though this movie has a first rate roster of fine actors, special effects that are excellent, and a story line that is full of surprises, it wasn't picked up for studio distribution and went directly to DVD. Perhaps it contains too much 'anti-police force' information, or perhaps it is juts one too many action flicks released during a glut, but whatever the reason the big screens missed the opportunity, fortunately the new concept of releasing direct to DVD allows us to enjoy it.
The theme is old: rookie reporter uncovers an inner circle of cops that are corrupt - in this case the F.R.A.T. (First Response Assault and Tactical) team, a group of well trained policeman created to clean up the mythical city of Edison from its low point of crime, drugs, prostitution etc. Working undercover the temptation of pocketing the confiscated goods and money proves too much of an opportunity and now, 15 years after its formation, FRAT is responsible for murder, drug trafficking, terrorizing innocent people etc. The lead dog is Lazerov (Dylan McDermott, who makes a terrifyingly real gangster!) and his partner Rafe Deed (LL Cool J, even more buff than usual and proving he can be a sensitive actor). Reporter Pollack (Justin Timberlake) catches wind of a 'bad mistake' and reports his theory of fraud and corruption to his paper's boss Ashford (the always reliably fine Morgan Freeman). Gradually Polack convinces Ashford and subsequently Wallace (Kevin Spacey, also a consistently fine character actor) and they aid Pollack in this investigative reporting. The closer Pollack gets to the truth the more surprises and bad incidents happen and the story runs pall mall toward a series of unexpected results.
Timberlake lacks the charisma to carry the lead, especially in the company of such seasoned actors. But LL Cool J, Freeman, Spacey, and McDermott keep the well-oiled machine of a movie rolling to the very end. No, it is not a great movie, but it is one that makes for an edge of the seat action flick with a message. Grady Harp
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11%
TOMATOMETER
· 9 reviews
36%
AUDIENCE
· 5K ratings
5.3/10
17.1K
