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Written by: Peter A. Dowling
Directed by: Deon Taylor
Starring: Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson, Frank Grillo, Mike Colter, Reid Scott
Rated: R
Watch the trailer
Plot
A rookie New Orleans police officer is forced to flee the scene after she witnesses two corrupt cops committing murder.
Verdict
It's not groundbreaking, but it keeps the tension high throughout the movie as we follow a cop on the run. It's a script that's by the numbers and often relies on convenience. You'll feel like you've seen this movie before because it's not doing much new. It's filler, but it's mostly entertaining. If I wasn't a fan of the cop genre, I'd probably like this even less.
Skip it.
Review
Taylor's previous film Traffik and subsequent film Fatale were not enjoyable, but since I like cop movies and this doesn't share a writer I wanted to give it a try. It's not terrible.
This starts with Alicia West (Naomie Harris) detained by cops during her morning run. Once they find out she is a cop, she's no longer the black woman for which they're looking. She then stops at a cemetery to establish the city as New Orleans.
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| Naomie Harris plays Alicia West |
This is a city that does not like cops and a police force that apparently doesn't like rookie cops. No one is letting her forget she's a rookie. Even she should know that telling an officer she's not new at three weeks in is dumb. How did that line pass writer, director, and actor?
All of this sets up the plot. West is rookie trying to follow the rules. Residents see her as another corrupt cop. Other cops see her as a rookie that may not cut it. There's the added aspect of body cameras. West uploads her footage diligently, but it seems like that's optional for others. When she sees cops commit a crime and manages to capture it on camera, she's on the run. She wants to upload her footage as proof, but there is no one in this town to help her. She's being hunted by cops who then recruit the local gang for aid. Milo (Tyrese Gibson) helps her because the plot needs to give her one ally.
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| Tyrese Gibson plays Milo "Mouse" |
This movie is West on the run. She faces opposition at every turn, but this manages to keep the tension and excitement high. Even her partner is no help as he knew what was going on which begs the question why he let her take his shift and not give her a heads up. In reality, West has to know that alienating the very people that will be your backup is a bad idea.
The movie ignores that aspect because this is a chase. It ends in a showdown between West and narcotics officer Malone (Frank Grillo) who is at the center of this. I find it funny that the cops on the scene don't stop the fight between them until West has the upper hand. I wouldn't think the entire force is in on the coverup though.
The body cam is the driving force in this movie. It's a great narrative device, but there are plenty of inconsistencies in this. This movie is concerned about keeping the narrative moving forward and providing a bit of fun. It does that, but it could also certainly do more.
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