Third World Cop (1999/2000) Reviewed by Eugene Novikov http://www.ultimate-movie.com/ Member: Online Film Critics Society
Starring Paul Campbell, Mark Danvers, Carl Bradshaw, Audrey Reid. Directed by Chris Browne Not Rated (R-equivalent for sex, drug use and gun violence).
The island of Jamaica hasn't exactly embraced the film industry. The Internet Movie Database lists only ten films that have come from Jamaica; just 3 in the past ten years. The latest is called Third World Cop, a drama with a simple, appealing story but dreadful execution. The film's defenders may chalk it up to the film's low budget but far better movies have been made for much less money. In an age where you can make an acclaimed movie for less than the price of a Ford Taurus, filmmakers need a better excuse.
"Capone," a renegade cop whose gun "doesn't respect anyone" is transferred to the violent city of Kingston, Jamaica (but not before his supervisor gets to tell him "Your methods may be effective, but they're not always right!") There, he reunites with his childhood buddy "Ratty" (Mark Danvers) and makes himself useful by fighting a local gun-smuggling operation led by thug Wonie (Carl Bradshaw). He does this by shooting pretty much everyone he catches.
He soon discovers that his friend Ratty is Wonie's right-hand man. He must now decide whether to stand by his convictions and bust his friend or to turn the other cheek and preserve a lifelong friendship. There's also Capone's childhood sweetheart who is friends with both men. She can do nothing but stand by and watch her friends destroy each other.
The plot is simple, fast and to the point. There's little filler, few significant supporting characters and minimal exposition. But despite the alluring straightforwardness of the story, virtually all other aspects of Third World Cop leave a lot to be desired. The script is almost unbearable, piling cliché on top of cliché until we're left with dialogue straight out of "The Screenwriter's Guide to Cop Dramas." My personal favorite: after getting into about 15 shootouts, Capone comes up to his friend and says "Guns only lead to self-destruction."
Paul Campbell, apparently a huge star in Jamaica, is passable as the title character, even though the same "menacing" expression never leaves his face. He's flawlessly suited to the role, which requires him to talk minimally but be able to wield two firearms at a time. I also liked Mark Danvers, who evokes sympathy despite dialogue that made me want to slap him. As for Carl Bradshaw, the film's most seasoned actor, well, he's just irritating as the villain, comical rather than dangerous.
The movie was directed by Chris Browne and shot on video rather than film. Browne has worked as camera assistant on many high-profile American films, though this is his first venture to the director's chair. He did not write the movie, so the blame does not lie with him; as a matter of fact he did a relatively excellent job considering that he didn't use film. The camerawork is unaffected by the medium.
Third World Cop's press kit proclaims the movie to be "Jamaica's biggest blockbuster," saying that "more than 10% of the adult population in Jamaica saw the film." This is probably good -- I welcome anything that encourages a country to make itself a presence in the film industry. I wish Jamaica could have chosen a better movie to be their breakthrough but, as Third World Cop's characters say, "Respect." For people who have not seen a lot of movies and are unfamiliar with their conventions, it might even prove to be a serviceable experience. For American audiences, however, there are better alternatives.
Grade: D
©2000 Eugene Novikov
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