Movie Review by Nigel A. Messenger
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Danny DeVito, John Leguizamo, Glenne Headly, Carmen Ejogo
Director: Sam Weisman
Professional thief and all round nice guy Kevin Caffrey (Martin Lawrence) starts off this lightweight comedy by meeting and instantly falling for Amber (Carmen Ejogo). There relationship is an instant hit and Amber gives Kevin her father’s lucky ring. Unfortunately Kevin has the ring stolen by mega rich Max Fairbanks (Danny DeVito) while robbing one of his houses. It turns out that Max has earned his fortune by cheating, lying, stealing and bribing anybody and everybody as well as having affairs with numerous women, currently the playgirl of the month Tracey (Sascha Knopf).
Kevin has to get the ring back and does so by robbing more of Max’s houses until he gives the ring back.
There are lots of possibilities for laughs, the acting is good and there’s nothing wrong with the direction or story but unfortunately all this movie does is make you smile. For some reason, I really can’t figure out why it just doesn’t deliver the goods. It’s amusing rather than funny and you’re constantly finding yourself about to lose interest – but not quite.
Both Martin Lawrence and Danny DeVito are excellent comedy actors and I always look forward to seeing them on screen, but this movie, although not the worst that could happen, is nowhere near the best.
