******************** SPOILERS *********************Dark Blue is not a big production movie and it gives you that impression, but if it's played late in the evening, it's worth to watch. It's not one of those big FBI cases that you read in the press, it focuses more on police misconduct, racism, shootouts and internal rivalries. The positives are Kurt and Ving's acting. Russell reaches a bit at certain times, but he matches the role of the cop crook excellently; Erratic, pathetic, racist, rabid and selfish, yet sensitive and settles in the end, for repentance. His partner, and that is the general consensus, is totally out of his element. He simply was not the right choice for this role and his role itself doesn't work out. The unit is basically a bunch of dishonest cops which he seems to tag along fine, but when Russell urges him to gun down a con, he backs down ? That's kind of weird for a guy who just got cleansed for shooting a man in unnecessary fashion. The other negative is the soundtrack, it's not good, we hardly hear it and it's too generic. The race card too, bothers me, inside the police. On the other hand, there could be more ghetto bashing since it relates to the incidents of police misconduct towards ghetto residents (or simply black color skin people). The final chase doesn't make much sense, too many factual mistakes, it wouldn't take place like that and for Russell not to be spotted from the roof top, just doesn't do it.Overall, there have been far more mediocre movies than this one, it shouldn't be that discredited. I will give it a solid 7 for a movie who's pretension is not to gross profit in theaters with a high budget.

For someone who saw L.A Confidential, Training Day or Street Kings, the plot would seem familiar, at the very least. Nonetheless, it was quite smart, without too many apparent plot holes and with a great set-up of riots in L.A.Kurt Russell was very persuasive in his role. His character of a corrupt policeman is easily believable. He has done it right. Not overacted and without unnecessary sentiments. He plays someone who enjoys being who he is; corrupt but not greedy. Smart and knows how to do his job well, but closing his eyes on the means. Very reminiscent of Kurt Russells' role in Backdraft. Very good deliverance.Brendan Gleeson was OK, but he could do more with his role. Scott Speedman was OK either. Didn't shine, but definitely didn't ruin anything. Michael Michele was sexy and Lolita Davidovich had a small part but she did it well.Now, Ving Rhames, Kurupt and Dash Mihok were awful in their roles. Not quite awful but really awful. They have worsened the whole experience. And I don't think that it's they're fault. They're just not fit for the roles they had been given.Ving Rhames was a total miscast. Instead of being a strong, powerful character he was just psychotic and nervous, and stood on my nerves as well. Kurupt and Dash Mihok, had a very crucial roles as the killers, despite their relatively small screen time. They played cold blooded killers but looked like a rapper and a clown. And instead of bringing tension only looked laughable. Very irritating performance from both.Despite the huge hole in casting the plot was well put through, Kurt Russell as the driving force was good and the ending is almost satisfying.

We begin with actual footage from the 1991 beating of Rodney King; the Black man was captured while trying to escape from Los Angeles police, then needlessly beaten by agitated officers. Next, we meet White alcoholic cop Kurt Russell (as Eldon Perry) nervously pacing in his boxer shorts. It's April 1992, when the city erupted in violence following verdict acquitting the police. Quickly, the action shifts to five days earlier. After getting off the hook in an unnecessary killing, Mr. Russell and attractive young partner Scott Speedman (as Bobby Keough) investigate the robbery of a small convenience store...The crime left four dead bodies and took an extraordinary amount of time, and Mr. Speedman thinks the story is more complicated. He's correct, but peeling the onion reveals more than anticipated. Events climax as the city explodes in riots. It's exciting and well-directed by Ron Shelton, but the "big picture" attempted by these parallels isn't artfully made. Russell is disturbingly convincing as the racist and corrupt cop, and Mr. Speedman does nicely as his conflicted ward; though they do look like a "Hair Club" ad couple, at times. Our corrupt cops receive good support, most notably from Ving Rhames.****** Dark Blue (12/14/02) Ron Shelton ~ Kurt Russell, Scott Speedman, Ving Rhames, Brendan Gleeson

Here's a decent corrupt cop thriller that has two exceptional things going for it. The first is an at-the-top-of-his-game Kurt Russell giving the kind of subtle, layered performance you only get from a pro; it would be so easy for his dark-hearted cop to be a caricature, but thanks to Russell he's far from it. Russell is one of those actors who make a lot of lightweight fare (BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, etc.) and whose genuine talents are sometimes forgotten about, which is a shame. Check out the monologue he gets to himself here - excellent.The second thing going for this is the backdrop of the L.A. race riots in 1992. A simmering undercurrent of violence runs throughout the movie, from the casual violence of the opening robbery to the bravura climax. The atmosphere is frightening, a perfect match for the ruthlessness of the cops who think they're above the law, and perfectly realised.Add in a taut script, a seasoned round of pros (Brendan Gleeson, Ving Rhames) and a fairly good performance from newcomer Scott Speedman and you have a solid, highly watchable drama.