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Copshop (2021)

Copshop (2021)


 
6/10


 Starring

Gerard Butler

Frank Grillo

Alexis Louder

 

Directed by Joe Carnahan

 

I was really in the mood for an old-school action thriller where the game is set from the start, the odds are stacked against the protagonist, and everything is lined up for a good old-fashioned shootout. This movie’s style is all about who will outlast who. From the start, we peg the protagonist, rookie officer Val, as someone who is way in over her head. She plays the classic rookie cop role—being overly inquisitive and annoying all the seasoned officers. It’s the kind of character development you’ve seen in every rookie cop movie.

The plot isn’t particularly complex, nor does it require deep thought to keep up. It’s very much in the vein of an ’80s action flick, with an anti-hero tasked with stopping the bad guys who’ve crossed the wrong people. The cinematography and direction, courtesy of Joe Carnahan, carry that same vibe he’s known for. If you’ve seen his other movies like Smokin' Aces, The A-Team, The Grey, or Boss Level, you’ll know what to expect here. If you enjoyed those, this one’s worth a watch.

Now, back to the movie. Val (and only Val) notices something suspicious about today’s arrests. The two men in custody don’t quite add up. First, there’s Teddy (Frank Grillo), who deliberately punched her in the face so he could get arrested. Then there’s Bob (Gerard Butler), who pretended to be drunk and drove into parked police cars—also ensuring he’d get arrested and placed in the same room as Teddy.

Meanwhile, within the same police station, there’s a dirty cop working for the wrong people who’s been tasked with “assisting” in the Teddy situation.

So, what’s the Teddy situation? Unfortunately, this is where the movie disappoints.

Teddy’s predicament isn’t as complex or intriguing as the build-up suggests. It could have been, but the movie doesn’t give us enough backstory or insight. His crimes are quickly explained in a brief, almost dismissive way, so the focus can shift to the psychopath hitman, Anthony, who has broken into the station. Anthony is after the bounty on Teddy’s head, but it turns out Bob is also in on the game and wants the same prize.

Here’s the twist: Bob is locked up, while Anthony and his accomplices have already wiped out all the cops in the station. Val is the only one left alive, barricading herself in the bulletproof holding cell where Teddy and Bob are being held.

Val’s injured—she’s been shot and is bleeding. Meanwhile, Anthony is trying to break down the wall to get to them. She needs help, but she doesn’t know who to trust: Teddy, the self-centered liar, or Bob, the professional hitman.

Copshop was a fun watch and is sure to appeal to action lovers.


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