2010 Columbia TriStar Marketing Group, Inc.)

"The Other Guys" is a predictable film directed by Adam McKay that strives for and nails all of the obvious jokes and storylines that one would expect from a film like this.

Fortunately for the audience, McKay and co-writer Chris Henchy are quite self-aware that the film might be predictable and thus, a complete piece of crap, so the two of them throw enough twists, turns and ridiculously funny lines in to ensure "The Other Guys" sends audiences home happy.

Against all odds, "The Other Guys" actually has a plot, even though it is obviously secondary to Will Ferrell’s shenanigans.  All of the scenes, with the exception of the gratuitious opening scene, actually tie together to form some semblance of a story.

The film geniusly focuses on “Supercops” Samuel L. Jackson and Duane “The Rock” Johnson in the opening sequences, establishing a frenetic pace at the beginning, in order to balance out the at-times torturously slow pace, later on in the film.

Jackson and “The Rock” are the guys everyone in the precinct wants to be: the badasses who get all the high collar profiles, both in the streets and with the ladies; And then there are the “Other Guys.”

The film dispatches Jackson and “The Rock” in the most genius of fashions and the film takes the clear path, literally stating that the city “needs new heroes” and that even the other guys might suffice.

Will Ferrell plays Detective Allen Gamble, a paperwork guy by choice, who loves his red Prius and digging through the paperwork that Jackson and Johnson will never do.  The reason that Det. Gamble is a paperwork nerd is due to a promise he made to his smoking-hot wife Dr. Sheila Ramos Gamble, played by Eva Mendes.

Mendes smolders on-screen and her scenes with Ferrell are some of the best in the film, if not the best. The ridiculousness of these two as a couple is sold to the audience by Mendes’ amazing portrayal of a cops’ housewife who just wants her man home safe.    

“Marky” Mark Wahlberg plays Detective Terry Hoitz and has the unenviable job of playing second fiddle to Ferrell. To his credit, Wahlberg does a more-than-serviceable job playing “The Man Who Shot Derek Jeter”, paying his dues as the whiny, straight man who can’t wait to get out from behind the desk and back to real Detective casework.  Wahlberg works hard on his comedic timing and manages to squeeze out some funny lines for himself.

The same can be said for Michael Keaton, as Captain Gene Mauch.  Captain Mauch splits his time between the precinct and the Bed, Bath and Beyond that he manages in his spare time.  Keaton is hilarious and keeps the audience engaged as they begin to get tired of Ferrell and Wahlberg.

In the end, and with all due respect to Sheila Gamble’s mom, Ferrell has all the best lines in the film.  Some are delivered spot-on and some might fly right over the audiences' heads.

Assuming the viewer is tolerant of Ferrell’s brand of comedy, there are laugh-out-loud moments galore, and “The Other Guys” will definitely send audiences home happy (unless they stick around for the pathetic joke after the credits; then all bets are off).

To reach staff reporter Ryan Nunez, click here.