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After briefly sharing screen time 13 years ago in Michael Mann’s “Heat,” Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro are back on screen together. They star as detectives for the New York Police Department in Jon Avnet’s thriller, “Righteous Kill,” and they do not disappoint.
Pacino and DeNiro play off each other remarkably well and are never at a loss for one-liners. Their humor and chemistry comes off so naturally that at points it seems they’re past acting and are simply being themselves.
The two big guns are surrounded by a talented cast including John Leguizamo,Brian Dennehy and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson – maybe not the most talented of the bunch. The characters are well-developed and surprisingly believable. Unfortunately, aside from fine acting by a gifted cast, the movie doesn’t have much else going for it.
The movie follows Rooster (Pacino) and Turk (DeNiro) on their search for a serial killer within the NYPD who is murdering lowlifes and criminals. This movie doesn’t bring anything new to the table as far as plot goes. It proposes the same old question, “Is vigilante justice acceptable?” The twists and turns aren’t tough to predict, and the ending is laughable.
The plot, seemingly contrived from an old “Scooby-Doo” episode, is sad and tedious. Even comparing it to that classic cartoon may be too much of a compliment. Still, the Pacino and DeNiro relationship is fascinating, a fact that can’t be understated. The gods of ’70s cinema are reunited and it makes “Righteous Kill” a watchable movie – barely.
Grade: C
Bangor Daily News