Ever watch a movie and enjoy it despite the fact that you know it's mostly working just because of the actors? That is definitely the case with 2 Guns....a completely cool and suave action film that I can guarantee would not have worked if it had not been for the actors involved. Directed by Baltasar Kormakur, who previously directed star Mark Wahlberg in Contraband....this is miles better than that film which was mediocre at best.
The film stars Wahlberg as fast-talking, womanizing Special Forces agent Michael Stigman. Assigned to rob a bank by his boss (James Marsden)...he teams up with Robert Trench (Denzel Washington.) Unaware that Robert is a DEA agent....Michael is furious to find out he has been set up and vice versa. However, these two men have to work to stop a greater evil. Namely---a drug kingpin (Edward James Olmos) who has kidnapped Robert's mistress (Paula Patton) and a corrupt CIA agent (Bill Paxton) who just wants his money back.
I'll admit it---this is the type of film I will forget within a day. I'm writing this review five hours after having seen the film and have already forgot about a lot of it. Also---the whole story is contrived even if it fits the film well. It is the old "two rivals have to work together to stop a greater evil" story but it does work here.
The film reminded me a lot of The Internship if it was an action film. Wahlberg is the fast talking, sarcastic guy a la Vince Vaughn and Washington is the relaxed, charming guy a la Owen Wilson. As with Vaughn and Wilson----there is a nice chemistry between these two and they have some excellent banter. The opening scene which involves Michael ordering breakfast for Robert was incredibly funny. The whole film is surprisingly very funny, in fact. Marsden is great as the corrupt captain while Olmos is excellent as the menacing drug kingpin and Paxton is having a blast and delivers his lines perfectly. The story works even though having three bad guys and a bunch of henchmen in a film like this does become a bit overwhelming.
2 Guns isn't anything that hasn't been done a million times before nor is it any great feat of filmmaking in general. However, while you're in the moment----it provides action galore, plenty of laughs and a very fun time at the movies.
(3 and 1/2 out of 5 Stars, The film is rated R for violence throughout, language and brief nudity)
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