End of Watch

Ok so the tough cop on the streets of LA storyline has been done to death by screenwriter David Ayer who also penned (Training Day, Street Kings, Harsh Times, Dark Blue) all about LA cops. It seems this is the only topic Ayer feels comfortable exploring. Yet what more could actually be said about LA "PO-licing" that hasn't already been covered, by the screenwriters own work no less? The answer is not much. Even worse for Ayer is that there ain't no scene stealing Denzel Washington this time around. However, Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena are both excellent as partners who unwittingly bring down a green light on themselves for assassination by a ruthless Hispanic cartel. Besides that somewhat original premise, the film contains the usual profanity laced exchanges, crying spouses, pissed off superior speeches and occasional gun battles that permeate most of the cop dramas that have come before. The use of hand held cameras not only increases the tension, but adds to the overall sense of realism, which remains the film's strongest selling point. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything new to admire here. No one would doubt that being a beat cop in LA is enticing and entertaining dramatic territory, but how many films have to be made before audiences get the point?