End of Watch

END OF WATCH

Another thrilling police drama from the writer of Training Day

 

I wish I had a gold AK...

 

2012, Police Drama, Rated R

Distributed by Open Road Films

 

          End of Watch stars Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena as LAPD officers and partners in the latest film from David Ayer. Ayer has written many successful movies involving realistic depictions of police officers and this is merely his latest. End of Watch has a twist, though: it's filmed like Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield. Most of the movie is viewed through Officer Taylor's (Gyllenhaal) home recorder. He brings it along and films everything, sort of like in the show Cops. He even has cameras attached to their chest pockets. The illusion really works and it will begin to feel totally reel. The found footage tactic works in End of Watch and that alone makes it worth seeing. The thing is, most found footage movies have big thrills and bad actors. Gyllenhaal and Pena both give excellent portrayals of L.A.'s finest.

          Officer Taylor's camera's aren't the only way we experience End of Watch. There are other shots throughout that are filmed like a traditional movie. They are blended so well into the action that you won't even notice. The fact that the cameras are there, though, provide for many interesting scenes. Many of the other officers are skeptical of Taylor filming them and that always made for funny moments that explored each character involved.

          What's great about the film is that it's not just about cops. It's about the people who happen to be cops. There is a lot of time spent with Taylor's and Zavala's (Pena) families as well as car chases and shootouts. We really get a feel for who these guys are behind the badge. This makes for great dramatic moments between the two men when they're on the job. They fight, laugh, talk sh@# but always act totally human, not like made up charatcers. It's hard to describe. The found footage technique worked very well in End of Watch.  

          The whole thing somehow felt a bit underwhelming, however. It felt like a poor man's Training Day, or rather, a Training Day for a modern, younger audience. I guess that isn't a bad thing. It really is a good movie and the experience of it all is intense, but it somehow reminded me of other police dramas that have been grittier. That's what was missing: the grit. Maybe it was the young, pretty-faced Gyllenhaal that made me feel this way, though he did a great job. Anyway, don't expect Training Day or a new classic police drama. This is a thrill but it won't last.

          After a lull at the box office I'd say this is a good film to catch at the theater. The hand-held gimmick is good for the theater. The whole film will be more intense that way. But hey, plenty of people watch Cops on their TV's so maybe wait for it on DVD. It's a great film, and all the actors turn in good performances, but it isn't a mind-blow. It also felt a bit too long.

 

          Side note: I thought the ending was bad. I won't say what happens and although you may see it coming, I wasn't a fan. They should have kept it original like the film had been up until that point. And then there's a random other ending that is funny but felt really pointless. I think they were hoping to distract you from the cliche ending.