Righteous Kill

Righteous Kill http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1034331/
101 minutes, 2008

Well, if you are a movie fan and a new movie comes out starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, you have to see it right? From the trailer I was a little apprehensive, but it is De Niro and Pacino. If the Police ever put out a new album I will buy it sight unseen. You get my drift.

So you have two old detectives who have been partners for years, "Turk" (De Niro) and "Rooster" (Pacino). Okay, are you agitated yet. Turk and Rooster? Oh, thats right, these are ornery, tough, seen-too-much homicide detectives so they couldn't have nicknames like "Biff" and "Skip." I have an idea, how about no nicknames. This is just one device the writer used to try and make us forget that Pacino is 68 and De Niro is 65, and they are can do tough cops who could still pull off an on foot street chase. Anyway, a pimp is murdered and a 4 line poem has been put in his pocket. This is the same m.o. of a guy they put away years ago. Well, the hits keep coming and some vigilante serial killer is bumping off nare-do-well criminals that some how got off. They all have poems in their pockets. Could they have put the wrong guy in jail? Now, from the very beginning of the movie you flash to a video tape of "Turk" listing these murders, like he is the one doing the killings. So, you've got a burned out cop who is sick of the ones that got away and he is taking care of business while putting up the ruse of some bard serial killer?

That's the premise. The video tape in the movie gives you a "Taxi Driver" vibe and the killing of those who got away reminds me of that Michael Douglas flick from the 80's "Star Chamber", both good movies. This one, not so much. There are too many distractions. Getting back to the devices used to make us believe that these guys aren't geezer cops. De Niro's character has a girlfriend, a CSI he works with and its played by Carla Gugino. Hot Carla Gugino(Spy Kids, Night at the Museum, Sin City), 30 years his junior. Also, there is a scene in the movie where Turk is in a Fireman vs. Police softball game. He hits a gapper, takes 3, errant throw he goes home and barrels over the catcher. That spry old devil. I stopped playing softball 10 years ago and stopped hitting triples when I was 32. That Turk, he still has it! Insert Price Is Right loser music here.
Another distraction is your stock younger cop partners who have animosity toward the old cops and want all the best collars and do things their way (John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg). Oh, and that damn Turk stole Leguizamo's girlfriend. I told you Turk still had it!

Some bright spots. Pacino is remarkably restrained and not a distraction. He has been eating the scenery for about 15 years now and he plays it cool in this one which was refreshing. Oh, and get this, 50 Cent plays a drug dealer/club owner. Quite a limber choice for the aspiring actor Curtis Jackson. He seems authentic for some reason? Also, Brian Dennehy Alert, Brian Dennehy Alert! He is not dead and does a nice job playing Turk and Roosters homicide boss, Lt. Hingis. By the way Dennehy is 70, and his characters do not hit triples. One of my favorite character actors who appears to be back as he has 3 films coming out this year.

Was it worth a rental. Sure. Did it live up to the wattage of their star power. No. I give Righteous Kill a 5.5 out of 10.