The “buddy-cop” film is one of the most popular, profitable, and enduring genres of them all. From comedies to action (and usually a mixture of both) audiences have embraced the genre for decades. From Elliot Gould and Nick Nolte to Gene Hackman and Billy Crystal, actors of all styles have dipped their toes into the genre to varying degrees of success.
It could be argued that the genre started in 1974, which saw the release of films such as The Super Cops, Busting, and Freebie and the Bean but the genre found its stride in the 1980s with a decade full of films where mismatched partners fought the bad guys. Here are the 5 best and 5 worst buddy-cop films.
Worst: Bulletproof (1996)
Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler were extremely popular comedians in the mid-1990s. The two had very different comedic sensibilities and seemed to be a good fit to play a mismatched pair in the action-comedy, Bulletproof.
The result was a horribly written and by-the-numbers film that received bad reviews, did low box office, and was quickly forgotten.
Best: Running Scared (1986)
Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines teamed up for Peter Hyams’ Running Scared and found gold. While not a huge success at the box office, the film turned a small profit and found even bigger fame when it hit the home video markets.
Hines and Crystal had a natural rapport as two wise-cracking and longtime partners who go up against a Chicago drug lord. With sharp and very funny comedy, great performances, and superior action sequences, Hyams’ film is something special in the genre.
Worst: Loose Cannons (1990)
Bob Clark directed one of the classic Horror films of the 1970s (1974’s Black Christmas) and one of the most beloved holiday classics of all time (1983’s A Christmas Story). in 1990 Clark tried his hand at a buddy-cop movie with Loose Cannons.
Gene Hackman is a cop whose latest partner (Dan Aykroyd) has a split-personality. Comic genius did not ensue. Critics trashed it, the public ignored it, Gene Hackman refuses to discuss it and Dan Aykroyd has said the film “should’ve been left in the landfill where it belongs.”
Best: Red Heat (1988)
Arnold Schwarzenegger stood tall in the action heroes of the 80s. Director Walter Hill recharged the genre with 1982’s 48 Hrs. When the two teamed up for 1988’s Red Heat, expectations were high.
The story transported Schawrzenegger’s Soviet cop to Chicago and pairs him with the vulgar and bombastic policeman played by James Belushi. While not a box office smash, the film turned a profit and was a critical success, many praising the teaming of the two stars and the exciting action sequences.
Worst: Rush Hour 3 (2007)
1998’s Rush Hour was a monster success with moviegoers and produced two sequels. Unfortunately, Rush hour 3 wasted the good graces of its fans and is widely considered a failure.
Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker teamed up once again, only this time they were armed with a sub-par script and a dull retread of the first two films. Critics rightfully decried the film to be void of originality and the film became the lowest grossing of the trilogy.
Best: Lethal Weapon (1987)
Director Richard Donner took the buddy-cop genre to new heights with 1987’s smash hit Lethal Weapon. Mel Gibson and Danny Glover became superstars in the film that started a popular franchise.
Glover’s aging detective is paired with Gibson’s suicidal wildman in a big-budget action/comedy that excited audiences and received praise from critics. Donner’s film upped the ante on big action scenes and would become one of the beloved films of the genre.
Worst: Cop Out (2010)
Kevin Smith signed on to direct a send-up of the buddy-cop genre with 2010’s Cop Out. Comedian Tracy Morgan co-starred with Bruce Willis who was poking fun at the genre that made him a star.
Alas, Smith tells Horror stories about Willis’ lack of interest and aggressive attitude toward his director. The film was stuck with a dead screenplay and Smith’s struggles to get the film done are visible on-screen, as the film and Willis’ performance fail to register on any interest level.
Best: Freebie And The Bean (1974)
James Caan and Alan Arkin combined to make box office gold in 1974’s Freebie and the Bean, a violent, balls-to-the-wall, action-comedy about two cops against a San Francisco crime boss.
In today’s overly PC society, this film could never be made. The script is full of stereotypes and politically incorrect language but is done with tongue-in-cheek humor and a natural quality thanks to the two stars. Filled with vulgar humor and dangerous action, this film is widely recognized as one of the true classics of its genre.
Worst: Theodore Rex (1995)
In the annals of bad ideas, 1995’s Theodore Rex is surely at the top. This massive flop never saw a release, as it was relegated to the straight-to-video pile with no fanfare.
Whoopie Goldberg is a cop in the future who is paired with… a talking dinosaur to solve a series of murders. What few reviews existed were bad and the film has gone down as one of the worst of its decade and the bottom of Goldberg’s career.
Best: 48 Hrs. (1982)
Walter Hill was already a respected filmmaker. His 1975 debut, Hard Times, starring Charles Bronson and James Coburn was a critical and commercial hit. His 1979 film, The Warriors was a major success and was praised for Hill’s prowess with expertly designed action sequences.
Hill teamed Nick Nolte and Eddie Murphy (his first film and the one that would make him a bankable star) as a mismatched cop and criminal on the trail of a psychopath who is killing people with Nolte’s stolen gun. The film was a big success for all involved and allowed Hill some of the best reviews of his career. The seamless blend of big action and vulgar comedy resulted in what many consider to be the top of the genre.
