Added to Netflix on Wednesday, Nov 15, 2023 National Security (2003) is a comedic buddy-cop film directed by Dennis Dugan. The story revolves around two mismatched security guards, Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), an African-American, and Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), a Caucasian. Earl, who aspires to be a police officer, is wrongfully accused and convicted. Hank, a former police officer, ends up working as a security guard after being wrongfully terminated from the force. Their paths cross when they both start working for the same security company, leading to a series of comedic and action-packed events. The film humorously addresses racial tensions and misunderstandings while showcasing the duo’s efforts to uncover a sophisticated smuggling operation.
Length: 1h 28m
Genre: Action, Comedy, Crime
This Title is: Light-hearted and Humorous with Action Elements
“National Security” IS STREAMING TODAY ON Netflix IN CANADA
Trailer
Cast
- Martin Lawrence as Earl Montgomery
- Steve Zahn as Hank Rafferty
- Colm Feore as Detective Frank McDuff
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: PG-13 for language, violence, and some sensuality
Content warnings include moderate violence, occasional profanity, and some sexual content.
Trivia
- The film was originally envisioned with different lead actors before Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn were cast.
- Some of the action sequences were performed by the actors themselves without stunt doubles.
- The movie humorously plays on various buddy cop film clichés and stereotypes.
Our Review
National Security strikes a balance between action and comedy, offering a light-hearted take on the buddy cop genre. Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn exhibit great chemistry, elevating the humor and dynamics of their characters. The film adeptly tackles themes of racial tension and misunderstanding through its comedic lens. While the plot is somewhat predictable, the film’s charm lies in its character interactions and comedic timing. Overall, National Security is an enjoyable watch for those who appreciate a mix of comedy and action, with a touch of social commentary.
Critic Scores
Critic Scores aggregate ratings from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Metacritic. (Click on any score for a detailed review.)
