THE MOD SQUAD (1999)

 

Directed By: Scott Silver Written By: Scott Silver, Stephen Kay and Kate Lanier Based on characters created By: Buddy Ruskin Cinematography: Ellen Kuras Editor: Dorian Harris 

Cast: Giovanni Ribisi, Omar Epps, Claire Danes, Josh Brolin, Steve Harris, Richard Jenkins, Dennis Farina, Michael Lerner, Sam McMurray, Bodhi Elfman, Eddie Griffin, Holmes Osbourne, Toby Huss, Monet Mazur, Larry Brandenburg

Three troubled teens sent to jail are offered a deal to work with an undercover cop, uncover an intricate drug ring, and are caught in a deadly set-up. With cops on their trail, they have little time to solve the case and clear their names.

The nicest thing I can say about the movie is that they cast actors rather than stars. Even though they were trying to set up these up-and-coming to-be stars. Which actually gives the film, a little more authenticity, and credit than it probably deserves.

One of the problems with links character played by Omar Epps is that he’s just supposed to be the cool guy yet we rarely see him do anything that’s cool but as soon as he shows up his vibe, is that of the cool guy so you’re making the audience trust in assumption before actually exhibiting any of that type of behavior or action Which never really comes so it feels like a buildup only to be let down. Some might say is the same when it comes to this film though was there really any big demand for this film?

As it came out, remakes and reboots of old television series were kind of still successful, and a fad. Maybe the problem was it needed to tell the original story, but it also comes off as just another episode that could’ve been of the series.

As the villain seems to be a kingpin, but is a local kingpin, which realistically if you are kind of a side project, an undercover team makes sense, but it has all the excitement of taking down a local drug dealer now that really cinematic for an action film not real, even with all the intrigue that this film involves. 

I mean the film at least has all the villains as Caucasian, but then again, most of the characters are caucasian, with a sprinkling of minorities mostly African-Americans. So it makes clear who the audience source is for Home Truly is.

Now, here is where I get more into the problems of the film, which are overpowering. Any good takes the film might have. 

The film is kind of set up to fail as the most memorable character is taken away as Link was a cool and dangerous black guy from the show with an Afro here has Omar Epps with a regular haircut not particularly physically, scary, or too big. So that he resembles just a black guy without the Afro it feels like they are kind of castrated or circumcised. He has no iconic look, you know they could’ve at least made them bald (like hawk on SPENCER FOR HIRE) for here. He just comes off as normal and uninteresting.

Giovanni Ribisi is a good actor and his character is supposed to be a screwup, his overarching arc is supposed to finally by the end of the movie make good and become a kind of the facto leader. His loser status is so great that his parents don’t believe him have any faith in him or even really take him seriously. Plus at times he seems a little touched and this is supposed to be our hero of sorts and an ensemble. The closest thing we get to a leader or protagonist.

Claire Danes' character Julie is an addict which makes her the most vulnerable and fragile of the team. Yet she was still hired to be undercover and strong enough for this job. Then her ex-boyfriend happens to be the villain. So she really has the most to lose here though is kind of treated as a damsel in distress rather than an Ingal part of the team I guess she is supposed to be the bait. Her character was kind of a sexpot here. She just seems to be kind of a basic normal girl who’s in the scene? Maybe it’s better as she doesn’t draw too much attention to herself. This would unfortunately be one of the last times she appeared in a studio film that was more after blockbuster viewers than anything else. 

Decided to revitalize the show as was common at times people recognize the name of the show, but at the time, not too many might’ve had memories of it as prime entertainment. On the plus side, you could write it without really copying it down too much but also there isn’t that huge of an audience either. Then the film stars are not unknown but no real stars they’re a more recognizable cast, which at least keeps the cost of the budget down but how is it going to make any money because it’s not like the film has two dramatic storylines it’s not that funny intentionally, and there are no real action sequences and the stakes aren’t big enough for you to really care or even be suspenseful. 

The film is supposed to be an ensemble, but the characters are separate through most, as each seems seduced or on their own separate adventure then they finally come together at the end. It feels like we should see them as a team, at least at first see how they work together, or at least the film could’ve shown how they learn to work together. Instead of just seeming like they separate stories, come together or cross paths at the end. The film is an origin story that should come off more as a film like THE DIRTY DOZEN as they are all ex-cons given a chance on a suicide mission who are forced together of sorts, to learn to make it as a team. They come off as a bunch of at the time hip club kids trying to solve a mystery that involves a conspiracy. If it was played that way with a bit more comedy and impressive action. The film could have worked 

Whereas you know, the enjoyment of this film is subjective as some might like, or enjoy, like a date or romance with a beauty that ends up, not working out in the end, or eventually, but good enough for the time being. Where it’s not right for some but good enough for others it all comes down to the right place at the right time, maybe something chemical or even the vibe. Unfortunately, this film just doesn’t seem to have exactly what it takes.

Grade: C-