THE HEAT (2013)

Directed By: Paul Feig 
Written By: Katie Dippold 
Cinematography By: Robert Yeoman 
Editor: Jay Deuby & Brent White 


Cast: Sandra Bullock, Melissa McCarthy, Tony Hale, Demian Bichir, Bill Burr, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rappaport, Jane Curtain, Ben Falcone, Taran Killam, Michael McDonald, Kaitlin Olson, Joey McIntyre, Tom Wilson, John Ross Bowie, Nathan Corddry Sarah Ashburn, 

an FBI agent, is extremely ambitious and has her eye on a promotion, but she doesn't get along with her co-workers. She is sent to Boston to uncover the identity of an elusive drug lord, Mr. Larkin, by tracking down his proxy, Rojas, and is told that she'll have a good shot at the promotion if she finds Larkin. When she arrives in Boston, she learns that Larkin has been eliminating his competition and taking over their operations. She learns that Rojas is in Boston PD custody and goes to see him to ask him what he knows about Larkin, but is warned that the cop who arrested Rojas, Shannon Mullins, is very territorial, and she is not exactly sociable. When the two meet they don't get along. When Mullins learns why Ashburn is in Boston, she decides to find Larkin herself. Ashburn is told by her boss to work with Mullins, but it won't be easy because Ashburn does things by the book while Mullins does things her way.

I will admit at the time when this film came out I had little interest at the time as it felt like Melissa McCarthy was trying out another one of her comedic characters from her Groundlings days and having a film built around that. While cursing a lot for no real reasons but some laughs at how inappropriate her behavior is. At the time I was also just a little bit over her as she seemed to be starring in everything and having a television show at the same time. Over the years I have grown comfortable with her as a performer. As an actor you have to take many roles and step into them and while they might be wacky you also have to sell their humanity to the audience.

Here Melissa McCarthy is not only reuniting and Reteaming with her BRIDESMAIDS director Paul Feig but also starring with Sandra Bullock in a female buddy comedy that feels like what MISS CONGENIALITY 2 should have. Even if this movie is pretty predictable.

Sandra Bullock is good In this film and is funny but Melissa McCarthy gets More the juicy fun parts as she gets to be more extravagant. Especially as the chemistry is the most enjoyable as story and plot are pretty forgettable. Though as the film goes along it also feels like McCarthy is giving a familiar performance to one of the various comedic characters she has played. Only here gets more time and mileage to present it.

The film offers plenty of room for the comedic actors to flex as the leads keep coming up to random characters all tied together in some kind of conspiracy. So while they have limited screen time they make their presence felt and end up helping the movie more than anything.

The film seems standard and like Ms. McCarthy is really trying too hard and creating comedic character whose main attraction and actions are hardcore cursing. Don’t know if that is meant to shock and appeal but it wears out it’s welcome at first until you get used to it and is more just a part of the film.

The action sequences are pretty good. You wonder if the film is try not to redefine female roles or if they are trying to broaden the horizon. Then again it seems more a case where they don’t expect you to think too deeply. They just want you to enjoy the show and watch two actresses have fun playing the typical action buddy types in their own way. One the straight laced by the book one and the other the more reckless devil may care attitude one. Only with Melissa McCarthy player by the role you also notice that she comes off with a bunch of masculine Characteristics also, The scenes with her family are hilarious and we get to see where she gets her attitude from and why.

This film is a step In the right direction of making more female oriented comedies. That aren’t romantic or dependent on that element. And let more actresses shine together especially in a more male dominated genre.

The film ends up being oddly enjoyable.

Grade: C+