Let’s be honest: no one on this campus has ever seen an episode of the original “Starsky and Hutch.” Why? Because, most of us weren’t even a thought in our parents’ inebriated minds as they watched the original ABC series while they were in college in the 70s. Wow, scary thought.
So why are so many college students possessed with seeing this spoof of a crappy 70s cop show? Because of the cast. Director Todd Phillips (“Road Trip,” “Old School”) has put together the collection of comedic actors that give college students exactly what they look for in a movie – a little plot, a lot of laughs.
The movie features Ben Stiller as the uptight, devoted detective David Starsky and Owen Wilson as his laid-back partner Ken “Hutch” Hutchinson.
Starsky is the kind of cop that will ask another officer if he has a permit for his gun; Hutch on the other hand steals money for the wallets of dead bodies he finds in the street.
The combination makes for some hysterical moments as the two opposites fight crime and befriend each other.
The film follows the adventures of the two cops as they attempt to track down Reese Friedson (Vince Vaughn), a polyester-clad businessman who has found a way to make cocaine undetectable by taste or smell. Released from the force for their unprofessional behavior, Starsky and Hutch take it upon themselves to solve the crime on their own and regain their positions as police officers.
The film is more about the actors than the plot. Phillips is smart enough to not simply rely on the hijinks of Stiller and Wilson, and rounds out the cast with strong cameos.
Will Farrell makes his appearance as “Big Earl”, a bar owner and associate of Friedson who is in jail for selling cocaine. Starsky and Hutch’s visit to the prison to see Big Earl turns into one of the funniest scenes of the film when Earl orders Hutch to “arch your back and growl like a dragon” before divulging any information.
The best star appearance of the movie is turned in by Snoop Dogg as bar owner and undercover informant Huggy Bear. Before seeing the film I thought he’d have a brief role, but in fact his character has a strong presence throughout the movie.
I’m honestly not sure you can really call what Snoop Dogg does in this film “acting” – dressing up like a 70s pimp really doesn’t seem like much of a stretch for him.
Carmen Electra and Amy Smart also make brief cameos as cheerleaders in the film. They basically do nothing except serve as a little eye candy for the gentlemen in the audience.
The funniest moments in the film are the same things that made the original TV show “cutting edge” – slow motion shots, ridiculous “stunts” and “tough” cop talk. The film takes the 70s TV style so over the top, it’s hard not to laugh.
Overall, Phillips has created another funny film that stands up there with “Old School” and “Road Trip”. The plot is weak, the acting is mediocre, but the laughs are non-stop.
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