REVIEW: R.I.P.D.

I like buddy-cop type of films. Throughout film history, there has been many examples such as the Lethal Weapon film series starring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, and the Men In Black film series starring Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones. Combine this two classic film series, you will get the film I am about to review.

The film is called R.I.P.D. which is an abbreviation of Rest In Peace Department. It is adapted from the comic book of the same name which is published by Dark Horse Comics. R.I.P.D. is directed by Robert Schwentke (Red, The Time Traveler's Wife, Flightplan) and stars Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds in the lead roles. Rounding up the supporting cast is Mary-Louise Parker and Kevin Bacon. With such a strong line-up, will the movie be on par with the previous classics?

SYNOPSIS:
A Boston police sergeant Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) suffers a fatal tragedy during a police bust and is immediately transported to the heavens above. Based on his good track record in law enforcement, he is recruited by the 'angels' to join the Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.) to battle the undead. Walker is assigned a partner named Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges) who personifies an olden-day cowboy. On an assignment, they both discover that Walker's loved ones, wife and former partner, are involved in a plot which may unleash hell on Earth with the undead. It is up to them to save the world.

SCRIPT:
Based on a comic book, the lines is expectedly cheesy. However, the storyline does not attract any intrigue to the plot the heroes are trying to solve. Character development is minimal and need to know more. Same formula from scene after scene. The establishment of an antagonist was not strong enough. The jokes were just okay.

Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds in the leading roles.

ACTING:
The film is spearheaded by Bridges and Reynolds. The both acted well. Kevin Bacon as former partner of Reynolds' character also did good.

FILMING:
Director Robert Schwentke tries to establish a style but did not work. Some nice shots but were just okay at best. The visual effects is done by the company Rhythm & Hues which used to have a satellite office here in Malaysia. Some of the visual effects are done here and is evident with familiar names in the credits. Sadly, the visual effects was nothing to shout about.

Robert Schwentke on the film set with Jeff Bridges

PACING:
Started well but went downhill towards the end. It was boring in the middle and the ending was not as climactic as I hoped for.

TONE (MOOD):
Action adventure aimed at younger audience with a comedic mood.

Kevin Bacon has a chat with Jeff Bridges while Ryan Reynolds looks on

DOWNSIDE:
Boring, weak script, and scenes that were the least exciting.

UPSIDE:
Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds actually has really good chemistry on screen.

Ryan Reynolds, Mary-Louise Parker, and Jeff Bridges sharing a scene

OVERALL:
A big-budget bomb which tries to hard and bound to draw comparisons to the Men In Black film series.

RATING:
4.5 out of 10