Denzel Washington, left, and Mark Wahlberg are shown in a scene from “2 Guns.” (Photo credit: Universal Pictures, Patti Perret)
‘2 Guns’ unimpressive, despite its likable leads
Chemistry matters. From the physical compounds that create the myriad bullets whizzing around at supersonic speeds to the more emotional connections that binds multiple leads in a movie, there’s an expectation that everything will mesh to a certain degree.
In “2 Guns,” we don’t get a whole lot of that. Unless you consider those bullets. They worked really well.
“2 Guns,” based on the graphic comic of the same name, is the standard-edition shoot-’em-up summer flick you expect this time of year. Generally, you aren’t so lucky as to land both Denzel Washington (always an excellent cast addition) and Mark Wahlberg (solid for this genre) to lead your cast. But somehow, despite the witty zingers flying by like word bullets and the intrinsically likable qualities of our leads, “2 Guns” lacks chemistry from start to finish.
A pair of secret agents unaware of each other’s identity, DEA agent Bobby (Washington) and naval intelligence officer Stig (Wahlberg) infiltrate a Mexican drug cartel. But after they rob a bank seeking to put to better use a crime lord’s $3 million fortune, the pair come away with $41 million instead, basically ending their assignments. Both men decide it’s time to get rid of their partner and turn in the cash to their own bosses.
Directed by Baltasar Kormakur (“Contraband”), “2 Guns” comes across with the same loose, stressless attitude he’s known for. But here we lack the adrenaline and well-structured plot that made “Contraband” enjoyable.
“2 Guns” seeks to recreate that action-filled mayhem, introducing myriad side characters (including Bill Paxton as a murderous CIA agent and James Marsden as a corrupt Navy officer) who become more important as the story progresses.
The point being made here is that drugs make you money and even government officials aren’t immune to the spider-web trap that is greed. Who knew? The whole setup is flat and uninspired.
That doesn’t refer to the actual setpieces, though, which are well done. But that doesn’t make up for the static effect the rest of the movies produces. Yes, Walhberg and Washington make a solid team, both in the good cop-bad cop effect and as comedic partners. But it’s hard to hear any of that good stuff. How could you, when it’s drowned out by all that gunfire?
Two gunslinging stars out of five.
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