'Starsky & Hutch' falls short of sidesplitting laughs

Reel Reflections

The director of "Old School" and "Road Trip" brings audiences an action comedy based on the 1970s hit television show "Starsky & Hutch."

The cast comes out of the gate with a stellar lineup of comedic all-stars, including Ben Stiller ("Along Came Polly"), Will Ferrell ("Elf") and Vince Vaughn ("Blackball"). Owen Wilson ("The Big Bounce") and Snoop Dogg ("Malibu's Most Wanted") also contributed their own comic appeal to the film.

"Starsky & Hutch" is a comedic romp through the streets of Bay City — a ficticious city similar to San Francisco — following the exploits of David Starsky, played by Stiller, and Ken "Hutch" Hutchinson, played by Wilson. The two cops are teamed up by Police Captain Doby (Fred Williamson, "Fighting Words"). The pair results from Doby's lack of patience with the antics of the unprofessional Hutch and his exhaustion over Starsky's refusal to take any crime lightly and for having run recklessly through city streets firing his gun at a pickpocket. Doby punishes both men by forcing them to head an investigation. He hopes the two will work together to balance each other out. The pair investigates Vaughn's character, Reese Feldman, a suspected cocaine distribution kingpin.

Feldman personally is insulted when Starsky and Hutch crash his daughter's bat mitzvah party and, in turn, he pays some assassins to kill the two officers. Hilarity ensues when the cops trace a license plate to one of the would-be assassins' homes and try to arrest him.

The ever-cool Snoop Dogg plays Huggy Bear, a strip club owner and longtime police informer. He perfectly is cast and appears remarkably comfortable — weighed down in robes and adorned with flashy jewelry. He adds class and style to the notorious character and stands out the most among the talented cast.

Vaughn contributes the same sarcastic wit and aggressive humor that he impressed audiences with as Bernard "Beanie" Campbell in "Old School." Stiller and Wilson bring a familiar comedic chemistry, which was was recognized in "Zoolander" when the two played opposite each other as male models.

The film manages to be funny, but remain tasteful at the same time — a rarity in recent comedies such as "Eurotrip." The audience comes into the theater expecting to laugh, but at times the laughs feel forced. While the film is amusing, more could have been done with it.

Many of the most humorous parts are ruined by having presented them in the movie's trailer. What is left is still funny, but more material is expected from such an experienced comic team.

The movie tries to mix action sequences with comedic interludes and leaves more to be desired from both genres. The directors should have explored one further and run with it, instead of intertwining the two.

There are a few comedic surprises that cause the audience to erupt with laughter — such as Stiller's disco dance face-off at a night club. Ferrell plays a relatively small role in the film as Big Earl, an imprisoned convict with a knack for embroidery. He is able to serve up a comedic roundhouse when being questioned by the police pair.

The film is one of the best comedies to come out recently and offers an opportunity for a lighthearted night out. Plan on enjoying the film for face value and don't come into the theater with soaring expectations for this cop land comedy — they both will be shot down.