Blue Streak (1999) 1/2 star out of 4. Starring Martin Lawrence and Luke Wilson
"Blue Streak" is unoriginal, uninspired and derivative. Plus it stars Martin Lawrence, a comic who thinks he's an actor in the Eddie Murphy mode of the fast-talking con man who's smarter than anyone else - especially the white cops with whom he becomes involved.
Lawrence plays Miles Logan, a master burglar who steals a diamond valued at nearly $20 million. On the verge of being caught, he hides the gem in a building under construction.
Released from jail two years later, he goes to the construction site only to discover that the new building is a police station.
Failing to gain entrance disguised as a pizza delivery man, he comes up with fake credentials and foists himself off as a new detective.
Luke Wilson plays the Judge Reinhold role of the not-too bright, eager, white partner who is in awe of his new buddy's police skills.
The reason I mention race is because we have reached a point in movies in which a new kind of black stereotype has evolved. From illiterate and subservient slaves and servants, this revised image is that of a hip-hopping, quick-talking/thinking, con artist who makes white people look like buffoons.
Now, I am not opposed to the notion of mocking white people. As a matter of fact, I'm not opposed to mocking any people as long as it is not mean-spirited.
What is pertinent is that no matter which stereotype you consider - and admittedly the contemporary one is preferable - it is still an insidious method of classifying one group of people and setting them apart.
The film industry has made very large strides in nearly erasing the color barrier. But films such as "Blue Streak" are a step backward and only reinforce this new distortion in the minds of those ignorant enough to believe it or base enough to try to use it for their own bigoted agendas.
Enough, I'm stepping down from the soapbox.
Plotwise, "Blue Streak" is filled with holes and missteps that are obvious to even the most casual moviegoer.
Lawrence does not act - he mugs, struts, shouts and makes faces. He lacks charm and charisma.
The rest of the cast really has nothing to do but stand around and look amazed as Lawrence's Logan acts like a hot-shot detective and solves crime after crime.
The ending is ludicrous, unbelievable but expected when considering this type of fare. "Blue Streak" is a childish fantasy for little boys who like playing cops and robbers.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bloom@journal-courier.com or at cbloom@iquest.net
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