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Bulletproof: A Fun Action Comedy with Flaws
Have you ever watched a movie that made you laugh and cringe at the same time? That’s what I felt while watching “Bulletproof”, an action comedy film released in 1996. The movie stars Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans as two best friends who find themselves in a dangerous drug deal gone wrong. Although the film has its flaws, it still manages to entertain with its silly humor and over-the-top action scenes.
The Storyline
The plot of “Bulletproof” revolves around Archie Moses (Damon Wayans), a small-time criminal who agrees to testify against his former boss, drug lord Frank Colton (James Caan). Jack Carter (Adam Sandler), Archie’s best friend and undercover cop, is assigned to protect him during his journey from Los Angeles to Arizona. However, things go awry when they cross paths with Colton’s henchmen and get involved in a shootout.
From there, the story becomes a rollercoaster of absurd situations, which include car chases, explosions, and even a scene where Archie disguises himself as a woman. The film also features flashbacks that reveal how the two protagonists became friends and the reasons why Archie decided to turn against Colton.
The Casts
The film’s stars, Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans, have excellent chemistry and share most of the screen time. Sandler portrays Jack as a goofy and impulsive guy who always has a comeback ready. On the other hand, Wayans plays Archie as a more serious and introspective character with a troubled past. James Caan also delivers a menacing performance as Frank Colton, whose presence looms over the entire movie.
The Popularity
“Bulletproof” was not a critical success when it was released, receiving mixed reviews from critics. However, it still managed to gross over $22 million worldwide and has become somewhat of a cult classic among fans of Adam Sandler’s early films. The movie’s appeal lies in its ridiculousness and the chemistry between its two leads.
The Evaluation
As mentioned earlier, “Bulletproof” is far from perfect. The film suffers from pacing issues, with some scenes dragging on for too long while others feel rushed. The humor is also hit-or-miss, with some jokes falling flat. The plot is predictable and lacks depth, focusing more on action than character development.
Despite these flaws, I still found myself enjoying the film for what it is: a fun action comedy with a lot of heart. The friendship between Jack and Archie is the emotional core of the movie, and it’s what kept me invested in their journey. The action scenes, while over-the-top, are still entertaining to watch, and the film’s soundtrack features some catchy tunes.
The Cinematography
The cinematography in “Bulletproof” is nothing groundbreaking, but it serves its purpose. The film’s colors are saturated, giving it a gritty and vibrant look that matches its tone. The action scenes use a lot of handheld camera shots to give them a sense of chaos and urgency.
The Special Effects
As an action movie, “Bulletproof” relies heavily on special effects to create its explosive set pieces. And while some of them look dated by today’s standards, they still manage to convey the film’s sense of fun and absurdity.
The Dialogue
One of the strengths of “Bulletproof” is its witty and irreverent dialogue. The script has a lot of one-liners that will make you chuckle or cringe depending on your sense of humor. The banter between Jack and Archie is especially fun to watch, and their exchanges feel natural and effortless.
The Crews
“Bulletproof” was directed by Ernest Dickerson, who had previously worked as a cinematographer on several Spike Lee films. The screenplay was written by Joe Gayton and his brother Lewis, who had also penned the script for “Uncommon Valor”. The film’s producer was Robert Simonds, who would go on to produce many of Adam Sandler’s later movies.
The Production
“Bulletproof” was filmed in various locations in California, including Los Angeles and San Diego. According to Damon Wayans, the shoot was chaotic due to the film’s low budget and lack of preparation. However, he praised his co-star Adam Sandler for being professional and easy to work with.
The Gossip
There isn’t much gossip surrounding “Bulletproof”, except for some trivia about its production. For example, the scene where Archie disguises himself as a woman was inspired by Damon Wayans’ experience dressing up as a female character on “In Living Color”. Also, Adam Sandler initially turned down the role of Jack because he thought it was too similar to his character in “Billy Madison”.
The Soundtrack
The soundtrack of “Bulletproof” features a mix of hip-hop and rock songs, including tracks by Wu-Tang Clan, Cypress Hill, and The Roots. The music adds to the film’s energetic and rebellious vibe, and some of the songs are still memorable years later.
The Analysis
“Bulletproof” is not a movie that requires deep analysis or interpretation. It’s a silly action comedy that aims to entertain its audience with over-the-top stunts and jokes. However, one could argue that the film explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and identity through its characters’ arcs. Archie’s decision to testify against Colton represents his desire to start fresh and leave behind his criminal past. Jack’s friendship with Archie shows his willingness to put aside his professional duties for someone he cares about.
The Criticism
The main criticism of “Bulletproof” is its lack of originality. The plot feels formulaic and derivative of other buddy cop movies, such as “Lethal Weapon”. The humor is also juvenile at times, relying too much on slapstick and crude jokes. The film’s treatment of female characters is also questionable, with most of them relegated to the roles of love interest or damsel in distress.
The Opinion
My opinion of “Bulletproof” is that it’s a flawed but enjoyable movie. It’s not a masterpiece by any means, but it knows what it wants to be and delivers on that promise. The chemistry between Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans is the film’s biggest strength, and their friendship feels authentic despite the film’s outlandish scenarios. While some jokes fall flat, there are still enough laughs to make the experience worthwhile.
The Scenes
There are several memorable scenes in “Bulletproof”, such as the car chase through a shopping mall or the shootout in a gas station bathroom. However, my favorite scene is probably when Archie and Jack sing an impromptu rendition of The Beatles’ “I Will” while hiding from Colton’s men. It’s a sweet and funny moment that showcases the actors’ talents.
The History
“Bulletproof” was released in 1996, at a time when action comedies were popular in Hollywood. The film was marketed as a vehicle for Adam Sandler, who was starting to gain popularity after his stint on “Saturday Night Live”. Damon Wayans, on the other hand, was known for his work on the sketch comedy show “In Living Color”. Despite their different backgrounds, the two actors shared a mutual respect and had fun working together.
The Fact
One interesting fact about “Bulletproof” is that it features a cameo by basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal. He appears in a scene where Jack and Archie hide out at his house, and he helps them escape from Colton’s men. O’Neal and Sandler would later collaborate on the movie “Grown Ups 2”.
The Quote
“You know why I like you? Because you’re stupid. You’re too stupid to notice that I’m stupid too.” – Archie Moses (Damon Wayans)
The Characters
“Bulletproof” has a small cast of characters, but they all serve their purpose in the story. Jack and Archie are obviously the main protagonists, with Colton and his henchmen serving as the villains. There are also a few supporting characters, such as Danielle Nicolet’s character, who provides some romantic tension for Jack. However, the movie’s focus is on the relationship between Jack and Archie.
The Acting
The acting in “Bulletproof” is serviceable, with both Sandler and Wayans delivering solid performances. Wayans, in particular, shows some range by portraying a more dramatic character than his usual comedic roles. James Caan brings his trademark intensity to the role of Colton, while supporting actors like Kristen Wilson and Larry McCoy do their best with limited screen time.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, “Bulletproof” is a fun but flawed action comedy that relies on its leads’ chemistry to carry it through its formulaic plot. While it has its share of pacing issues and juvenile humor, it still manages to entertain with its silly action scenes and witty dialogue. If you’re looking for a mindless popcorn flick with some heart, then “Bulletproof” might be worth checking out.