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Street Kings
2008 109 min United States of America R 18+
★6.3
Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Director: David Ayer
Trailers
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Description
Tom Ludlow is a disillusioned L.A. Police Officer, rarely playing by the rules and haunted by the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.
Budget:
$20M
US Gross:
$26.42M
Worldwide:
$66.48M
Starring
Keanu Reeves
Actor
Forest Whitaker
Actor
Hugh Laurie
Actor
Awards
1 nomination total
Key opinion
Street Kings is generally regarded as a competent but formulaic entry in the gritty police-noir genre, elevated by a high-profile cast. While critics and audiences acknowledge its familiar tropes, most find the execution solid enough to satisfy fans of intense, character-driven crime dramas.
| Acting | The film features a stellar, high-caliber cast that delivers solid performances even when the roles themselves are limited. | |
| Direction | David Ayer’s direction provides a technically competent, gritty atmosphere that successfully grounds the film's realistic shootouts and urban aesthetic. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay divides opinion: some find the plot's twists and complexity engaging and compelling, while others criticize the dialogue and reliance on tired genre clichés. | |
| Originality | The film's originality is contested, with viewers split between those who appreciate the 'simple-genius' execution of a classic noir structure and those who view it as a derivative, uninspired retread of better films like L.A. Confidential. |