Bulletproof (1996) starring Damon Wayans, Adam Sandler, James Caan, Jeep Swenson, Bill Nunn, Mark Casella, Steve White directed by Ernest R. Dickerson Movie Review

Bulletproof (1996)   2/52/52/52/52/5


Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler in Bulletproof

Shot Down

After a year of working together, pulling small time crime, Archie Moses (Adam Sandler - Happy Gilmore) and Rock (Damon Wayans - Roxanne) are the best buddies. But when they get involved in a huge drugs racket for a local crime boss, Frank Colton (James Caan - Eraser), everything changes. Rock is actually an undercover cop called Jack Carter, who has been using Archie to get information on Colton, and after a bungled attempt to bring down the crime racket, Archie accidentally shoots Jack in the head as he makes his escape. After several months in rehabilitation, Jack is back on the force, a meaner and tougher cop than before. At the same time Archie is arrested and agrees to provide evidence on Colton's criminal activities, as long as Jack escorts him back.

"Bulletproof" is a fun enjoyable comedy, but sadly lacks the spark which came in Sandler's later movies such as "Little Nicky". It follows the tried and tested plot of two guys who have to get over their grievances to escape from an evil crime boss. Not the most original of plots and "Bulletproof" does nothing to jazz it up.

In reality this film was nothing more than a vehicle to demonstrate the comic talents of Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans. Which, although it's not going to make you cry out loud with laughter, it still has enough funny gags to keep you amused. The best part of the film is the lead up to the failed drugs bust, as you watch the closeness between Archie and Rock as they get into a scrape in a bar. Sadly, the rest of the film is not so good, and after the build up was a bit of a disappointment, although it still remained amusing.

The lead character of Jack (Rock) is played by Daman Wayans and although at times is amusing, doesn't have the charisma to keep you entertained for the whole film. Part of the problem is that his character is not consistent, in one scene he will be funny, but in the next he is serious. Opposite Wayans is Adam Sandler as Archie. Although his character is consistently funny through out the movie, his performance is way short of what you would expect from Sandler. Along with these two, you have James Caan as Frank Colton the crime boss. Yet again, his performance is good, but he never comes over as a really nasty crime boss.

"Bulletproof" is directed by Ernest R. Dickerson, who is more at home directing TV shows. In a way, he has directed this film as if it was a TV show, and it lacks any real consistency in script, characters or performances. The same goes for the soundtrack, there is nothing which really stands out as memorable and at times the music doesn't really fit with the scene.

What this all boils down to is that although "Bulletproof" is not the greatest comedy ever made and has quite a few flaws, it is in general an enjoyable comedy which has a slightly dark side. It will of course appeal to fans of Adam Sandler, but it is also a reasonable film to watch if you enjoy the buddy style movies.


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