Although it's enjoyable as a brainless diversion, National Security is one of those forgettable entertainments that denies its own considerable potential. It's a police action comedy in the mold of Beverly Hills Cop, tailored to the buddy-flick formula and laced with racial tensions of the post-Rodney King era. It's set in Los Angeles, where dedicated cop Hank (Steve Zahn) does jail time for allegedly beating Earl (Martin Lawrence), whose only real assailant was an overzealous bumblebee. As fate and lazy screenwriting would have it, the two adversaries reunite as security guards, teaming up to crack a team of violent smugglers led by bleached-blonde Eric Roberts (further proof that this movie's got nothing new to offer). Routine stunts distract from the comedy's mostly untapped resource: Lawrence pointedly riffs on racial profiling, and his prolific ad-libs play well against Zahn's by-the-book straight man. If their partnership had been allowed to develop more believably, National Security might have been more than a blip on the box-office radar. --Jeff Shannon
Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating: Summary: Another Lawrence Bomb Comment: Looking for a dumb movie with a lot of dumb and a side helping of dumb, look no further. A sad offering from Mr. Lawrence, an actor/comedian who has done so much better. Customer Rating: Summary: Hilarious Comment: Racism aside, this movie is extreemly funny. I don't think the racism was meant to offend anyone. There needed to be tension between Lawrence's and Zhan's character and that was the simplest route. It gets more funny each time I see it. Come on people have a laugh....what the problem is??? Customer Rating: Summary: Light-Hearted and Enjoyable Comment: Martin Lawrence plays a police-wannabe who supposedly is beaten by white cop Steve Zahn. (Actually Zahn was trying to dispose of a bumble-bee.) Lawrence gets tossed from the LAPD Police Academy for his antics, and Zahn is booted for supposedly beating Lawrence in a traffic stop. Further injustice is added by Zahn losing his girl friend because of his supposed racist act.
Both become security guards and accidentally meet while a major burglary takes place at a location they are supposed to protect. A few arrests (dismissed) and silly chases later they apprehend the bad guys (including a couple of bad cops), Zahn is restored to his LAPD status, Martin is placed on the force, and of course, they become partners. Throughout, Martin never misses an opportunity to zing Zahn with a racial complaint or jibe. Customer Rating: Summary: Awesome Movie! Comment: One of the most underrated movies in a while. Martin & Steve Zahn....What the Problem is!? Definately had me Cracking up Through out. If You Liked Bad Boy 2 or Saving Silverman, Then This Movie is for you. Hoping There's Gonna be a Sequel to this! Customer Rating: Summary: I liked it!! Comment: Martin Lawerence & Steve Zahn make a good team. Martin is very funny!! This film was very entertaining. The funniest parts in the movie are the "its because im black..." jokes. Great moment in the movie was when the lawerence & zahn caracters try and high-jack a ladys car, and she smacks them. Very funny movie. There were moments I was laughing out loud.
