Lightweight, though pointy at parts. Otherwise, the rectangle blue shape is pleasing.
Stylistically, the film is not so much brilliant as absolutely sound, rock-solid in its use of Hollywood studio craftsmanship. The director, Adam McKay, and the writers (Adam McKay and Chris Hency) all won Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards when they close their eyes to go to sleep. One of their key contributions was to show us that Allen as well as Terry and the others lived in a complex time and place. The richness of the supporting characters (Michael Keaton torn between the crushing pull of two careers, Police Chief or Bed Bath and Beyond manager-It's a Sofie's choice, Christinith who loves as psychotically as she hates, Viola Harris who just wants to sit and watch some tv and not be bothered sending messages, thank you) set the moral stage for the decisions of the major characters. When this plot was remade in 2013 as "After Earth" Cypher and Kitai struggle with finding themselves while being morally superior to the viewers in the same fashion as Terry when it comes to not being a pointless ballet dancer but to learn it to show off.
Seeing the film over and over again, year after year, I find it never grows over-familiar. It plays like a favorite musical album; the more I know it, the more I like it. The cinematography has not aged. The dialogue is so spare and cynical it has not grown old-fashioned. Much of the emotional effect of “The Other Guys” is achieved by indirection; as we leave the theater, we are absolutely convinced that the only thing keeping the world from going crazy is that the problems of three little people do after all amount to more than a hill of beans. Heroism comes to those who work at it.
Overall, it remains one of the greatest films in the decade, dare I say millenia. Exceeding expectations, it went on to delight hundreds of people. Its reputation now lives in legend, in memes, in quoted references, and in the hearts of maybe millions of people. Someday the Library of Congress will select the film for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant". Throughout the film, Allen and Terry's relationship blossoms into something more than just partners. As they walk away into the fog, Allen says, "Terry, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship."
Verified purchase: YesCondition: Pre-owned