The “Buddy Cop” film genre has birthed instant classics over the years, from Rush Hour to 21 Jump Street and beyond. To celebrate Dragged Across Concrete releasing on Blu-ray and DVD 19th August (starring Vince Vaughn and Mel Gibson), we delve into the best “Buddy Cop” movies to grace our screens.
Miami Vice (2006)
A re-invention of the hit series from the 80’s of the same name, Miami Vice sees Jamie Foxx and Colin Farrell step into the shoes of Crockett & Tubbs, to take on a Columbian drug cartel. While it might now seem dated, thanks to its soundtrack and wardrobe – Foxx and Farrell’s performances are nothing short of enjoyable in their almost telepathic understanding of each other.
The Other Guys (2010)
A film which leans more on its comedy rather than hard-hitting action (although isn’t that part and parcel of a film directed by Adam McKay?), The Other Guys sees film resident bad boy Mark Wahlberg team up with film resident funny-man Will Ferrell as two mismatched New York City detectives, who seize an opportunity to prove to their comrades that they have the right stuff. The chemistry between the two main characters is electric and lends itself to an epitome of great scenes and gags, from metaphors about lions and tuna to tales of hobo orgies.
The Heat (2013)
Paul Feig’s Bridesmaids follow-up was a welcome relief to the usually male-dominated cop film genre, placing Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy in the hot seat. Following the winning formula of a strait-laced cop partnered with a loud-mouthed rule breaking cop, the dynamite duo form a captivating comedic chemistry, and with Bullock and McCarthy being females in this situation who turn out to only need each other, offers a fresh perspective.
Bad Boys (1995)
A modest crowd-pleaser that put director Michael Bay on the map, it would be a sin to create a list of Buddy Cop films and not include 1995’s Bad Boys. The film certainly didn’t hurt lead duo Will Smith and Martin Lawrence’s careers either, turning them into major movie stars (albeit to varying levels of success). Bad Boys is the film which established Bay as an un-ironic appreciator of fast-moving action intertwined with comedic exchange and witty interaction, which long served a strong legacy of buddy cop comedies.
Rush Hour (1998)
When Rush Hour arrived, both Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker were already enjoying well-deserved success in their fields. However, this film sent them, and director Brett Ratner, into the stratosphere, once again capitalising on the familiar but enjoyable friction between Chan’s by-the-book Inspector Lee and Tuckers brash motormouthed James Carter. Rush Hour is one of the only films on this list to showcase both the action and comedy elements in equal parts, with the duos dynamic chemistry is undeniable.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
A true cult-classic, Hot Fuzz, sees collaborators Simon Pegg and Nick Frost pay tribute to the buddy cop movie genre by displaying as much real affection for the films while simultaneously parodying their more ridiculous tropes and clichés. However, the elements that make this film so well loved comes from character-based moments between real-life buddies Frost and Pegg, which is also where it derives a great deal of its surprisingly warm heart.
21/22 Jump Street (2012/2014)
With the idea of what makes a Buddy Cop film successful now engrained in pop culture, 21 Jump Street and its successor 22 Jump Street were welcomed with open arms. Playing on the nostalgia element, this reboot allowed Channing Tatum to reinvent his career from romcom heart-throb to show off his impeccable comedic timing alongside partner Jonah Hill. The chemistry between the two is undeniable, and certainly proved that the Buddy Cop genre is not dead when done correctly.
Dragged Across Concrete (2018)
Dragged Across Concrete is the latest from director S. Craig Zahler which follows two police detectives, Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn, who find themselves suspended when a video of their violent tactics is leaked to the media. With little money and no options, the bitter policemen descend into the criminal underworld which they once opposed, finding much more than they bargained for. The chemistry between Vaughn and Gibson makes for witty quips and sharp responses, with the action remaining sky-high.
Dragged Across Concrete releases on Blu-ray and DVD 19th August.
