Righteous Kill (2008)

O Masterpiece
O Excellent
X Good
O OK
O Mediocrity
O Avoid

Review by Jason Pyles / September 13, 2008

Speaking of unfair expectations (which I did in my previous review of “Burn After Reading”), “Righteous Kill” is up against everyone’s belief that a movie starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino should be as good as any one of their individual movies but squared. Yes, I’m referring to exponents.

As for me, I’m just rating this movie by itself, on its own terms — regardless of its cast. I mean, it doesn’t matter one bit that “The Devil’s Own” (1997), for example, has Harrison Ford and Brad Pitt, ‘cause that movie still sucks. You can even ask Brad Pitt.

But “Righteous Kill” is better than it seems. What I mean is, while I sat watching it, wondering what they were thinking, I eventually realized that its screenwriters were cleverer than I suspected. I can comfortably recommend that you check out this movie. Much like “Burn After Reading,” the Coen brothers’ film that was released the same day, “Righteous Kill” isn’t as good as you hoped it would be. Still, if you’ve only got time to catch one movie this weekend, choose “Righteous Kill” over the Coens.

“The Godfather: Part II” (1974) featured these two actors as father and son, but they never shared the screen at the same time. Then in 1995, Michael Mann’s “Heat” brought them together again but as enemies. So I guess it was inevitable that De Niro and Pacino get cast together in a buddy movie, as cop buddies, no less.

No spoilers follow. What follows is the premise, which is gleaned from the trailers: De Niro and Pacino play New York City police detectives, “Turk” and “Rooster,” respectively, and they’re tough on their criminals. Awfully tough. In fact, much of the movie is narrated by De Niro’s character, who’s filmed on a poor-quality camera giving a confessional interview, of sorts. Apparently, Turk has resorted to vigilantism to ensure that justice is served, and he becomes a serial killer who also happens to be a cop. And that’s all I can say.

No matter what, though, people are still going to be displeased with this movie. After all, it combines two titans of modern cinema, two of the finest actors alive. Many people don’t realize that great actors don’t necessarily make a movie great, but great actors can often make a not-so-great movie tolerable — sometimes. (No such luck with “The Devil’s Own.”) But “Righteous Kill,” on the other hand, is entertaining and good enough to put in your Netflix queue.

Directed by Jon Avnet
Robert De Niro / Al Pacino / 50 Cent
Crime / Drama 101 min.
MPAA: R (for violence, pervasive language, some sexuality and brief drug use)

U.S. Release Date: September 12, 2008
Copyright 2008: 313