National Security

Comedy-impaired director Dennis Dugan (Big Daddy, Saving Silverman) apparently spent last year attending Action-Comedy 101 classes. But if he graduated, it was by the skin of his teeth. National Security is a bungled mess of a buddy picture starring screwball talent Steve Zahn (Joy Ride) as an ex-cop security guard ironically teamed with one-shtick Martin Lawrence, a police academy-reject who got Zahn kicked off the force and thrown in jail with false accusations of police brutality. Such race-based humor (if you can call it that) is Dugan's crutch--the movie consists mostly of Lawrence employing his hyperactive, increasingly embarrassing ghetto clown routine to drive Zahn to vein-popping frustration. For the record, the plot revolves around a crooked-cop conspiracy to smuggle some kind of space-age alloy, but it's little more than an excuse for car chases and shootouts that all take place near stocks of flammable 55-gallon drums, which explode in slow-motion at the slightest provocation. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include both full screen and widescreen editions, audio commentary by director Dennis Dugan, two deleted scenes, one alternate ending, the music video “N.S.E.W.” by Disturbing Tha Peace and featuring Shawnna, I-20, Tity-Boi and Lil Fate (with a cameo by Ludacris). Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (R. Blackwelder)[Blu-ray Review—Nov. 25, 2008—Sony, 88 min., PG-13, $28.95—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2003's National Security features a great transfer and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 sound. Blu-ray extras here are identical to those on the standard DVD release, including audio commentary by director Dennis Dugan, two deleted scenes, one alternate ending, and the music video “N.S.E.W.” by Disturbing Tha Peace. Bottom line: better looking, but not a better film.]