2 Guns Review
Think of this as a smarter Tango and Cash, replacing raging testosterone with biting snark.
![2-Guns-Review](https://cdn3.whatculture.com/images/2013/08/2-Guns-Review.jpg)
rating: 3
--> Theres a brisk, lively brevity right there in the title of 2 Guns, and it carries over to the film at large, which is essentially a series of dubiously plotted mini-adventures for the buddy pairing of Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. In a summer when many of our most anticipated blockbusters have been bloated duds, theres something commendable and relieving about this quick splash of action and violence that never takes itself too seriously, or sticks around long enough to wear out its welcome. Theres nothing especially terrific in 2 Guns, but like its dual protagonists, it gets the job done in a pinch. Bobby Trench (Denzel Washington) is an undercover DEA agent whos trying to put the sting on drug cartel head Papi Greco (Edward James Olmos) by pairing with one of Grecos goons, Stig (Mark Wahlberg). Of course, it turns out Stig is doing the same for Navy Intelligence, and believes Bobby is a criminal too, until both try to rob a bank where Papis money is stored. One of the movies smarter scenes has the pair preemptively deciding to burn down a diner across the street from the bank so there arent any cops conveniently hanging around when they do the job. Their donuts, you see, are known for miles around.The almost brotherly discord between Bobby and Stig is captured with likable chemistry by Wahlberg and Washington, and if both actors are more or less coasting on their most recognizable personalities, their rapport sells 2 Guns second-hand pulp so well that we barely blink as everything spirals out into one hot mess.
Action films live and die by their willingness to immerse the audience in the energy of whatever chaos is happening on screen. When we have great characters and a strong story, that job is always easier, but in this case theres just enough to get by in the form of slick production values, a sharp-eared script, and two actors who are having a grand old time.
If it helps, think of this as a smarter Tango and Cash, replacing raging testosterone with biting snark.
2 Guns opens in wide release in the US on August 2nd and in the UK on August 16th.