Anthony's Film Review - Starsky and Hutch (2004)

Whether or not you've seen the TV show, this movie remake is campy fun...

I never watched the original Starky and Hutch show on television. That's where I'm coming from. Even so, it might not be relevant. Whether the show and this movie remake are similar or different in style doesn't matter. The important thing is that this movie is fun.

Ben Stiller is David Starsky and Owen Wilson is Ken Hutchinson, two police detectives assigned to a case involving cocaine without the odor that police dogs could sniff out, a scheme led by Vince Vaughn. Both Starsky and Hutch also have an interesting ally in Snoop Dogg as Huggy Bear, a hustler who still manages to play the role of informer. Then there is Fred Williamson as Captain Doby, who also makes the cast amusing, and two lovely ladies played by Juliette Lewis and Carmen Electra.

Another notable cast member appears only as a cameo. Will Ferrell is in one scene as a gay prisoner. Starsky and Hutch prepare to interview him. However, in order to get the information they need, they have to give what this guy wants. What ensues is a funny situation that is captured on tape and enrages Captain Doby.

You can expect more goofy scenes like this. Watch Starsky on a dance floor after getting high by accident. Later, see Starsky and Hutch shoot a goat to death through a garage door that they think is concealing drugs. There is also an interesting disguise plus voice alteration that Starsky dons later in the film. Oh, and cameos by the stars of the original Starsky and Hutch show. OK, that's it. I will leave it at that.

Starsky and Hutch is an average but watchable comedy. It's funny not just because of the script but also because of its stars. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are funny just by playing their roles straight without any hysterics. In general, I frown on remakes of TV shows that don't capture the spirit of the original. However, if the original were to be cheesy, as some people may say about Starsky and Hutch, then I can make an exception. Remakes should only make something better, not worse.

Anthony's Rating:

For more information about Starsky and Hutch, visit the Internet Movie Database.