Review : Righteous Kill

Took my sorry ass off to the Lincoln Square cinema in Bellevue to see the new Robert De Niro and Al Pacino movie – ‘Righteous Kill’ yesterday, and whilst I was enjoying the giant seat, enormous popcorn and gallon of diet coke, I managed to see a really good film.

De Niro and Pacino play two experienced New York cops, dealing with serious crimes and even more serious criminals. As some of the more seedier criminals start getting murdered in cold blood – it becomes clear that these two are some how involved.

Getting these two back together has taken 13 years (1995’s – Heat), and it is an irresistible combination. Just one of these actors on screen is a treat, to have them both is electrifying. Unfortunately, the script doesn’t really match up to the great acting – sure, there are some laughs – but those feel mainly down to the delivery than to the sharp writing. The filming and direction seems a bit pedestrian, and the surrounding cast really don’t live up to lead players (maybe excluding Brian Dennehy). Casting 50 cent (billed is Curtis Jackson) in amongst these two, is not a pretty sight.

All that aside – it is a movie worth seeing, if only to witness two of the best actors in the same frame – that alone is worth $10 and two hours spend drinking the worlds biggest soft drink.

Righteous Kill is released on the 25th September in the UK