MOVIE REVIEW: ‘Starsky and Hutch’ almost makes the grade
Grade: B-
Something tells me that 10 years from now we’re going to see a live action version of “Miami Vice” hit the big screen. It seems inevitable that as all of the big (and not so big) TV shows from the ’70s make their way into movie adaptations, an ’80s craze will follow.
But maybe the ’70s TV nostalgia craze will burn the re-make trend out, and “Miami Vice,” “Airwolf,” and “Alf” won’t follow at all. Honestly, I could do without a big screen Alf, and I’m sure there are more than a few that would agree with me.
As for “Starsky and Hutch,” it seems more appropriate to evaluate the film as the latest of the Owen Wilson-Ben Stiller movies than as a ’70s nostalgia flick. Wilson and Stiller have been teaming up quite a bit in recent years (see “Meet the Parents,” “Zoolander,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums”), and that’s fine by me. For the most part, they work really well together.
Though “Starsky and Hutch” is far from their best collaboration, it is a fun ride, even if it’s a ride you only feel like taking once. This one won’t come close to generating the cult status of “Zoolander.” But the film does open with Barry Manilow’s “Can’t Smile Without You,” and that’s gotta count for something.
“Starsky and Hutch,” of course, is based on the TV show of the same name. The plot boils down to an adventure about two cops trying to investigate a murder that is most likely connected to a local drug lord.
But the plot is totally inconsequential. Unfortunately, as in most movies like this, the plot and story act as little more than a frame to hang a bunch of situational gags on. That’s what separates “Zoolander” from this one. Both have funny situational humor, but “Zoolander” created an entire zany environment, complete with oddball plot, that lets you remember much more than a couple of funny lines. Viewers might leave “Starsky and Hutch” with memories of Ben Stiller high on cocaine in an overly-vigorous disco competition, and I know that I’ll remember the sequence parodying “Easy Rider” that gives us Wilson and Stiller rolling down the highway on choppers, backed by The Band’s classic “The Weight.” But if you ask anyone what the plot to “Starsky and Hutch” is six months from now, you’ll just get a blank stare.
But that’s no big deal. Movies don’t have to be revolutionary to be enjoyable. Sometimes it’s enough to bring out another flick like “Undercover Brother” that has fun playing on the ’70s theme. That’s why this is a one-timer and not necessarily a dollar flick. Besides, even the weak Wilson-Stiller collaborations are more enjoyable that most of the so-called comedies out there now. And really, can you find too much fault in a film that boasts its own “Pimp Name Generator” on its Web site?
On that note, it wouldn’t be right to omit mention of Snoop Dogg, who seems born to play the role of Huggy Bear, the street informant who
maintains about as low a profile as Richard Simmons on, well, pretty much anything. And Vince Vaughn’s drug lord deserves kudos if for no other reason than his fake mustache.
So, if you’re looking for immortal Wilson and Stiller, try “Zoolander.” But if you’ve already seen that one a dozen times, “Starsky and Hutch” will do for the time being.
Joshua Terry is a graduate student in the American studies program. Comments may be sent to jterry@english.usu.edu.