Unhinged R-Rated Comedy Hated By Critics Being Hidden From Fans
These days, it feels like every movie in existence can be found on some kind of streaming service, as the ever-expanding libraries of Netflix, Hulu, Max, and others continue to snatch up existing IP to round out their selection. However, a number of films are still being hidden from fans, including the off-the-walls 2014 comedy Let’s Be Cops, which is currently not streaming anywhere, including free-with-ads services like Tubi. Despite Let’s Be Cops‘ poor critical reception, the film does have a lot of laughs to offer, making it a true shame that it isn’t available for new audiences.
Luke Greenfield
Let’s Be Cops was written and directed by Luke Greenfield, who penned the screenplay alongside Stuber executive producer Nicholas Thomas. Before the R-rated comedy hit theaters in 2014, Greenfield was primarily known for helming other absurdist classics such as Something Borrowed, The Girl Next Door, and Rob Schneider’s The Animal.
Apparently, Greenfield was inspired to write the screenplay after a costume designer lent him a very authentic-looking LAPD outfit to wear as a Halloween costume, which significantly boosted the filmmaker’s confidence during the holiday festivities.
Reception
Like many other straightforward comedies, Let’s Be Cops was reviewed harshly by critics, culminating in a paltry 18 percent critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite failing to appease professional critics, Let’s Be Cops did turn a sizable profit at the global box office, taking in over $132 million against an estimated production budget of only $17 million.
These figures are particularly impressive when you consider the fact that Let’s Be Cops premiered alongside other massive hits such as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Guardians of the Galaxy.
The Cast
Much of the film’s success can likely be attributed to its incredibly talented cast, which includes such comedic greats as Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle, Keegan-Michael Key, Natasha Leggero, and Jonathan Lajoie.
Since so many of the performers in Let’s Be Cops are successful stand-up comedians, Luke Greenfield encouraged the use of fast-paced improvisation on the set, resulting in a few memorable scenes with some truly side-splitting dialogue.
The Story
The narrative of Let’s Be Cops centers on a pair of lifelong friends who are struggling to find their adult identities as they venture into their thirties. Justin, (Damon Wayans Jr.) is a mildly-functional video game designer, while Ryan (Jake Johnson) is a non-functional former college football star, who hasn’t been able to hold down a serious job in years.
After the pair don a couple of police uniforms to pitch a Grand Theft Auto inspired cop video game to Justin’s bosses, the duo are mistaken for actual officers of the law, which causes random people on the street to treat them with significantly more respect than usual.
Watch It If You Can
GFR SCORE
Needless to say, the power quickly goes to their heads, leading Justin and Ryan to start cosplaying as cops in their day-to-day life. The misguided pseudo-officers even go so far as to learn police codes from YouTube videos and purchase a decommissioned police vehicle to further their charade, which creates an untenable situation when actual emergencies begin to arise around them.
The film may not be in contention for preservation at the Library of Congress, but I had a ton of fun watching Let’s Be Cops when it first premiered, so I think it’s a real bummer that the film isn’t on streaming today.
