End of Watch, Trailer
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Pena, Anna Kendrick
Director: David Ayer
IMDB Rating: 7.8/10
My Rating: 7.2/10
Runtime: 1hr 49mins
Synopsis: Described as a mix of reality TV meets Hollywood cop drama, (or as the director cites his own hit film) David Ayer said, Training Day meets YouTube, End of Watch certainly ticks many of both boxes. Gyllenhaal has had quite a topsy-turvy career since 2001's Donnie Darko, highlights including Brokeback Mountain and Zodiac, lowlights being Jarhead, The Day After Tomorrow, and the likes of the slightly underwhelming Source Code falling in between two stools, which is where I would place End of Watch. Having said that I would recommend this film,the director certainly has a keen interest police dramas, following S.W.A.T., Harsh Times (starring Christian Bale) and especially Dark Blue, possibly Kurt Russell's last decent role.
And now to the film itself, Gyllenhaal and Pena perform the traditional cop 'buddy routine' without over-cooking it, with the film centring on their very close bond, from light-hearted to semi-philosophical conversations as they cruise the streets of L.A.'s South Central. After a string of early successes officers Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala become emboldened and take more risks in answering the call of duty, which eventually leads them on course to a showdown with a ruthless Mexican gang, probably emulating Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13 - see here for good documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3BT4BewFI ). While End of Watch does come across at times, as slightly testosterone filled, overall it is quite entertaining, probably the type of film that you would leave on if you saw it on TV a few years later, the car chase scenes are shot very well and the soundtrack is excellent, especially Public Enemies 'Harder Than You Think' which kicks in during a chase, see here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCx5Std7mCo.
While by no means a classic, I would recommend End of Watch as the perfect Sunday night movie, just enough to keep you guessing, without challenging ones brain too much.
And now to the film itself, Gyllenhaal and Pena perform the traditional cop 'buddy routine' without over-cooking it, with the film centring on their very close bond, from light-hearted to semi-philosophical conversations as they cruise the streets of L.A.'s South Central. After a string of early successes officers Brian Taylor and Mike Zavala become emboldened and take more risks in answering the call of duty, which eventually leads them on course to a showdown with a ruthless Mexican gang, probably emulating Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13 - see here for good documentary http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ky3BT4BewFI ). While End of Watch does come across at times, as slightly testosterone filled, overall it is quite entertaining, probably the type of film that you would leave on if you saw it on TV a few years later, the car chase scenes are shot very well and the soundtrack is excellent, especially Public Enemies 'Harder Than You Think' which kicks in during a chase, see here! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCx5Std7mCo.
While by no means a classic, I would recommend End of Watch as the perfect Sunday night movie, just enough to keep you guessing, without challenging ones brain too much.
