Genial spoof, too innocuous and lazy-minded to be construed as satire, of "reality television." A no-nonsense LAPD detective, in the departmental doghouse after putting a bullet in a TV news camera ("He's Dirty Harry, he's real ... and we've got him by the balls"), is compelled to co-operate on a new vérité cop show, partnered with a camera-conscious uniformed patrolman and wannabe actor. In a just-for-the-money part, Robert De Niro, a cagy and energy-conserving counterpuncher, steals all the laughs from the aggressive, free-swinging Eddie Murphy: a classic case of the straight man who's funnier than the cut-up. But the movie, whatever it might say, sees things pretty much the same as the media types it ostensibly mocks (ostentatious action, formulaic buddy relationship, stereotyped ball-busting career woman), so that the laughs, such as they are, dwindle as the plot rolls along, in clear contradiction of De Niro. William Shatner and Johnnie Cochran show up in small parts as themselves, perfectly happy to enter into the spirit of avaricious cynicism. With Rene Russo; directed by Tom Dey. (2002) — Duncan Shepherd
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