Black and Blue is another example of a derivative and formulaic cop thriller that is almost helped by its performances and production, but it buckles under the weight on more than one occasion.
It stars Naomie Harris as Alicia West, a New Orleans rookie cop who witnesses the murder of an informant by a trio of dirty cops through the camera on her vest. They discover her, but she manages to evade them and tries to expose the corruption.
Tyrese Gibson from the Fast and Furious movies costars as a convenience store employee who tries to help her reluctantly. Together the two make an interesting combination that does help elevate the material. Notice I keep using the word “help” a lot.
I mentioned that the film is derivative of other cop thrillers. That also pertains to certain cliches used during action sequences such as a shootout when the dirty cops attempt to kill Harris, but they miss. However, when she fires back, she never misses. Or the scene where Tyrese shoots a criminal and we’re lead to believe that something awful has happened to him. Guess who ends up still alive?
Harris and Gibson are talented actors and, like I said, their chemistry and performances try to save the movie, but their characters aren’t that compelling given the nature of the script.
Watching them dodge jeopardy only to be put into another trap for most of the movie is only intriguing for about 30 seconds and then we catch on to the fact that they inevitably find their way out.
I’m pretty sure the movie is trying to make some kind of statement about our country’s lack of faith in law enforcement. That statement would’ve been more effective if the screenplay had chosen not to be so by-the-numbers.
Grade: C+
(Rated R for violence and language.)
