On D List of Movie Reviews

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Dark Blue (2002)

Rate: 7
Viewed: 1/17

1/17: Showing similar themes, I like Dark Blue more than Training Day.

It's Kurt Russell's show, and he's fantastic although in a loopy way. This is something different for him who doesn't get enough chances to do a serious drama picture. Everybody else is more or less okay.

The story is well-conceived, and I like the tie-in with the Rodney King beating and the aftermath post-verdict to make the movie more interesting. The setting was supposed to take place during the middle of the 60's Watts Riots, but honestly, nobody remembers it. So, it's a good move on the filmmakers' part to switch to the other one that's more fresh and recent.

Ron Shelton is a sports guy, having directed Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, Cobb, Tin Cup, and Play It to the Bone and written the screenplay for The Best of Times and Blue Chips. Hence, I'm surprised he decided to take the Sidney Lumet route by tackling the subject of police corruption. On the other hand, the film has made me question how much police corruption exists for real nowadays.

All in all, rarely given accolades, Kurt Russell remains an underrated actor.

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