Film

What's on at the cinema plus reviews of the latest movie and DVD releases


National Security (2003)

Director: Dennis Dugan

Average user rating
No reviews

Movie review

From Time Out Film Guide

An honest LA cop is falsely accused of racist brutality by an embittered ex-cadet, and jailed for six months. On release, he struggles to rebuild his life and regain his dignity, while coming to appreciate, through painful encounters with his tormentor, what it's like to be part of America's underclass. A tough-minded parable or poignant tragedy about the corrosive effects of endemic racial inequality? Regrettably, no - this is the queasy premise for another Martin Lawrence, sub-Beverly Hills Cop action comedy. The pair overcome their differences while tackling a smuggling syndicate run by standard peroxide bad hat Roberts. Slo-mo shoot-outs are thrown in to break up the banter, and Lawrence mugs as if his career depended on it. But with hectoring, confused polemics and a glib take on race relations, the film leaves a mighty sour taste for such a thin brew.

Author: ARi

Time Out Film Guide


What do you think?
Post your review now

clear rating
Min 1 star. Zero stars will be treated as unrated.

*mandatory fields




Most popular on this site


Top Stories

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has David Cronenberg turned tame?

Has director David Cronenberg veered too far from his radical and bloody roots with new film 'A Dangerous Method'?

The 10 worst date movies

The 10 worst date movies

Just in time for Valentine's Day, we present ten of the least romantic films ever made

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Where to watch this year's Oscar-nominated films

Find out where to watch 2012's Oscar-nominated films in London cinemas

10 unlikely badboy biopics

10 unlikely badboy biopics

Featuring Phil Collins, Jeremy Clarkson, Nick Clegg, David Starkey and a host of other unlikely subjects

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

Interview: Sean Durkin on 'Martha Marcy May Marlene'

The first-time director of the brilliant new thriller discusses religious cults and robot boxing

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Pop-up cinema for Valentine's Day

Side-step romantic clichés with some alternative Valentine’s viewing