One of the least appreciated ingredients for success at any field is choice of right people for the right job. This is the lesson protagonist of Blue Streak, 1999 comedy directed by Les Mayfield, learns the hard way. Miles Logan (played by Martin Lawrence) is a jewel thief in Los Angeles whose talents in selecting partners for his endeavours leave much to be desired. During jewelry heist Deacon (played by Peter Greene), one of those partners, gets greedy and, as a result, Mason ends arrested by LAPD. Thankfully, before being arrested he managed to hide 17 million US$ worth of diamond at one construction site. When he is released from prison two years later and attempts to retrieve the diamond, he learns, much to his horror, that the construction site is now a new building used by LAPD. Driven mad by wealth that is so close but out of reach, Mason decides to get to the building under the guise of new LAPD detective named “Malone”. He asks forger Uncle Lou (played by Richard C. Sarafian) to make him new documents, but it turns out that Uncle Lou did his job too well. LAPD detectives are so impressed with the credentials of his new colleague that they appoint him as new partner for the young and relatively inexperienced Detective Carlson (played by Luke Wilson). What was supposed to be simple deception turns into new career for “Malone” who is sent to elite Robbery/Homicide division and whose knowledge of criminals and their methods make him even more effective policeman.
Basic premise – professional criminal forced to work as police detective – suggests this film to be just another Hollywood “high concept” comedy. Blue Streak definitely is that type of film, although the plot might also suggests that scriptwriter Michael Berry, Joe Blumenthal and Steve Carpenter took at least some of the inspiration from Beverly Hills Cop, popular action comedy in which Eddie Murphy played streetwise protagonist winning the hearts and minds of elite policemen in Los Angeles. Martin Lawrence, comedian who was often named as Murphy’s successor in 1990s Hollywood, delivered really good role and same can be said for the rest of the cast, many of which apparently good time on the set. Dave Chapelle, who plays Miles’ associate Tulley, had his initially small role expanded on Lawrence’s request after leaving strong impression on his colleague. Director Les Mayfield wasn’t too inspired, but he was professional enough not to mess up the script which was actually filled with some really funny jokes and gags. The film at times succumbs to cliches – presence of Peter Greene, actor typecast in villainous roles since Pulp Fiction clearly indicates his character’s moral allignment and how would plot play out. Thankfully, one of potentially most damaging cliches – obligatory romantic subplot that would have lengthen the running time for another 20-30 minutes – is avoided. The end result is not particularly intelligent, but mostly entertaining comedy that would please less demanding audience.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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