BrendanW 
It’s been a long time since the original Bon Cop, Bad Cop film focusing on the partnership between an Anglophone and francophone police officer when a crime is committed on the Ontario/Quebec border. The pairing of Colm Feore and Patrick Huard (who also wrote the script for this sequel) made for a great dynamic and the fluid method in which they both spoke combinations of French and English to each other was terrific. It was a Canadian treasure. Much like Goon 2 earlier this year, this would be another attempt to cash in on the success of a Canadian comedy but would it turn out to be more successful this time?
This time out, Martin Ward (Colm Feore) is in the RCMP while David Bouchard (Patrick Huard) is working undercover while attempting to investigate a car ring theft orchestrated by an Italian mobster. Meanwhile, Martin is having personal issues of his own including (but not limited to) his strained relationship with his son while David finds it difficult at first to reunite with his old partner and to also have to deal with a new quirky tech girl and also balancing his own family life alongside his dangerous undercover work.
One thing that will become obvious early on is that the plot for this film is not super tight and mainly exists to create a vehicle where the two main actors can react in a series of high-octane action sequences and some great comic scenes as well. There are several big stand-outs to mention: in one particular sequence, David is arrested in Maine after avoiding a car explosion and must deal with some truly inept American police officers. It is a nice change of pace after watching quite a few American movies and/or TV shows that present Canadians in such a silly light. Now we can have our moment in the sun. In addition to that, it is just completely silly and the timing of it is fantastic. As for the action sequences, there are some good fight sequences and shootouts but one involving a car explosion and David running from it that creates some good moments.
One of the biggest things that makes this movie work is the acting and the obvious chemistry between Colm Feore’s more reserved and grounded police character combined with Patrick Huard’s more reckless, seat-of-the-pants cop. Both actors are terrific; while Feore is able to keep every situation grounded in reality and provides some of the more emotional moments and true feelings of gravitas, Huard gets a ton of laughs with the simplest facial expressions and of course, his comic delivery is second to none. Huard also gets his share of emotional moments too though, particularly during moments with his wife and daughter. In fact, it seems like Huard got to do a lot more in this one than just being the “funny one.” I would mention the other talent in the film but honestly, everyone else pales in comparison. I did enjoy the tech girl and Mike (who Huard continuously refers to as “Michel”) gets a few laughs as a slimy villain.
There are some late revelations revolving around the film’s plot that do tie up some personal aspects of Martin’s life as well as another reveal that ends up being quite dark and feeling completely out of place in a movie that sets itself up as an action-comedy such as this. I understand that this was the film’s way of essentially informing the audience regarding the film’s future potential as a franchise but I feel like the film could’ve used a different method to achieve the same goal while remaining consistent with the tone that had been built up to that point.
It is a fun overall watch though with two very good lead performances and some fun action/comedy sequences. Certainly recommended for a watch if you’ve got the time and you want to watch the only above-average movie that came out this weekend.
RATING: *** ½
Rating System:
Less than * (Actively offensive to one’s intelligence)
* (Brutal; bottom-of-the-barrel)
** (Some elements keep it from being awful but still not very good)
*** (Completely watchable; a rental as old-timers might say)
**** (Great film with a few things here and there keeping it from being perfect)
***** (Flawless; a true achievement)
