Lawrence Breathes Life Into Cop Comedy

by Jason R. Hewlett

I've always liked Martin Lawrence's work. He's got a great manic energy about him that's hard to resist. It breathes life into almost everything he does. He stole the action flick "Bad Boys" away from Will Smith (no easy task let me tell you) and his paring with Tim Robbins in "Nothing To Lose" made that movie one of the funniest of 1997. No he gets the chance to stand on his own two feet in the new action/comedy "Blue Streak," which makes for a favorable enough solo star turn.

The plot of "Blue Streak" is as full of as much B.S. as Lawrence's character: a jewel thief steals a pricey diamond during a hi-tech heist and is forced to hide it in a construction site before being nabbed by the cops. After being released from jail he sets off to retrieve the diamond only to find that the building has been turned into a police station. So he does what any determined thief/con artist would do...he disguises himself as a police detective and tries to retrieve the diamond. Along the way he becomes a highly regarded and respected police officer.

Sounds pretty far-fetched doesn't it? Well, it is but this is a comedy and the only thing that matters is whether or not it's funny. Luckily it is. Lawrence jives and lies his way through one comedic misadventure after another as he attempts to retrieve his prize and avoid getting killed by his archenemies Deacon (played with slimy zeal by Peter Greene), who also wants the diamond. Along for the ride is Luke Wilson as an inexperienced but overzealous cop partnered with Lawrence while Dave Chappelle shows some Chris Tucker-type mugging as an old partner of Lawrence's who almost ruins the whole con.

Michael Berry and John Blumenthal wrote in almost as much action as gags in their screenplay and director Les Mayfield directs both elements with care and an attention to detail. His final gunfight/car chase makes sense within the confines of the story which is a rare thing for this type of film. When you see the movie you'll see what I mean.

"Blue Streak" isn't Lawrence's best movie to date and he seems to fare better when he plays off of someone else but it's still an agreeable enough time waster if you dig the stars antics.

6.5 out of 10!