Starsky & Hutch

The dynamic duo returns from obsolescence to the forefront of cool. We check out the DVD release.

Starsky and Hutch is a remake of the classic television series that captured the hearts and minds of millions across the globe, it gave the world a new type of cop drama as well as creating numerous fashion icons in the process. Ben Stiller (Starsky) and Owen Wilson (Hutch) are two cops partnered together after a series of mishaps, it's your typical Buddy movie where both characters are like chalk and cheese in the beginning but they eventually grow to like each other with some hilarious results.

They are paired together to investigate a murder which leads them in hot pursuit of Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughan) who has created an undetectable form of cocaine. There is some wonderful interplay between the two lead characters but the true strength of the movie is the depth of the supporting cast; Julliete Lewis, Will Ferrell and Fred Williamson all excel in their roles. The dynamic duo find themselves in a variety of situations that make for some great laughs; whilst the nature of the comedy may not be the most original its sincerity is there for all to see, Starsky and Hutch proves to be a rather enjoyable movie to watch.

This movie is a light hearted affair that pokes fun at the seventies; it's full of drug, pimp and sexual humour so if high moral values are your thing then Starsky and Hutch is probably one movie you won't dig. The music and fashion from the era have come back with a bang and there are plenty of references older generations will be able to enjoy, the famous Ford Gran Torino even makes a return to the screens. Snoop Dogg's performance adds an element of cool to the whole affair that tips it over the edge, the DVD should carry a warning because there is a strong possibility that you'll end up talking in rhyme or longing for a fur coat after watching it.

There is always a danger that films like this will overstep the mark and end up being over the top, but Stiller and Wilson keep it in check by continuously poking fun at themselves and purposely keep it more cheesy than fashionable. Fans of the original television series will notice a contrast in the style of direction, whether it is a good or bad thing is up for them to decide but it certainly opens up the concept to a whole new audience.

There are some very funny moments in Starsky and Hutch, despite rewriting existing sketches the writers manage to create some hilarious scenes. Perhaps the most notable performance is that of Snoop Dogg, his MTV show Doggy Fizzle Televizzle is quite hit and miss but in this instance it shows what a good script can do for laughs. If there ever was a role that fit like a glove then Huggy Bear could well be it for Snoop Dogg, he gets to mack out and is very gracious when the writers poke fun at him. Owen Wilson takes up the laid back approach that we have become more than accustomed to due to his roles in Shanghai Noon, Zoolander and the Royal Tanenbaums.

Despite the fact that he is running perilously close of getting typecast these days, he doesn't slip up and his slacker attitude plays off brilliantly against Stiller's straight down the middle character. I'm not normally Ben Stiller's biggest fan but I really liked him in this movie, Starsky has got more backbone than most of the characters he plays so he doesn't come off as annoying as usual. This movie should do for Vince Vaughan what Old School did for Will Ferrell, despite having made his name a long time ago (and even starred in Old School with Ferrell) Starsky and Hutch should give him the mainstream grounding he needs to become a major Hollywood star. His latest film Dodgeball is performing well at the box office and with a string of movies lined up for 2005 he is sure to have a great twelve months ahead of him.

Although there is a nice choice of extras included they fail to capture the imagination of the viewer. The gag reel proves to be insipid and lacks any of the camaraderie that existed between Wilson and Stiller, it's simply a case of actors fluffing their lines and waiting for the next take. It is quite surprising because one would have thought that there would have been plenty of mischief on set but if there was we don't get to see it, whatever good stuff they had was used for the credits. The deleted scenes are also quite flat and there is probably only one scene that could have improved the movie, apart from that you'll be thanking the director for cutting down on Chris Penn's screen time. Penn gives an overzealous performance as Stiller's police force adversary Manetti which will leave you baying for his blood, he proves to be an annoying, fat slob that adds very little to the movie.

A lot of people were left disappointed when Antonio Fargas, aka the original Huggy Bear, failed to make an appearance in the big screen adaptation and this is further compounded when you watch Snoop Dogg's style guide 'Fashion fa shizzle wit Huggy Bizzle'. It's all about P-I-M-P but Snoop Dogg seems to have been smoking something before shooting this piece because it lacks the charm of the Huggy Bear character and is so laid back you might even slip off your couch.

There is an Easter Egg in the bonus features section called 'Vince's Bit for the Kids', it sounds quite promising because Vince Vaughan was so hilarious in the movie but it also proves to be a letdown. By Vaughan's own admission the piece is completely unplanned and you have to wonder why they bothered to include it, the piece basically comprises of Vaughan and a security guard quizzing each other on Brady Bunch trivia. Trust me; it's as unexciting as it sounds!

Piaras Kelly
Editor, Kikizo Movies