Let's Be Cops Analysis
Let's be cops is the ultimate buddy cop movie directed by Luke Greenfield, starring Damon Wayans Jr. as (Justin) and Jake Johnson as (Ryan). Justin and Ryan are hometown buddies that went to the same college and decide to move out from Ohio to LA, California together. They were young and hungry to be successful and made a pact to return home if they turned 30 and were still living an unfulfilling life. Now they are 30 and are still struggling to find their careers and fit in. One night they go to a college reunion masquerade themed party which they show up dressed as cops. Everyone is of course laughing at them and they cannot redeem themselves because it becomes evident that the once popular football player ryan, no longer has any career and did not make it pro, and justin isnt a big time video game designer. Disappointed and discouraged they leave that party and as they walk, they realize that they are viewed differently as men in uniform. At their apartment, ryan comes with the crazy idea of the both of them pretending
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to be cops more often and although justin resists the idea he finally agrees and before he knows it, Ryan has bought a police car, the red and blue lights, and the LAPD logo from ebay and he is into it more than Justin would like. It all quickly takes a turn however, when they are involved with the local mob. Although there are some parts of this film that seemed too overdone, I like it, it achieved it's comic goal, and it was all in all a coming of age story that I can relate to.
Through out this movie Ryan in the character that is persistent compared to justin who is resistant. The difference is clear and I beleive it comes from who they have grown into as people. Ryan has become a self guided and dependent person who makes decision on his own and does whatever he wants to do. Also he hasn't held a job in a long time. Justin on the other hand is used to institutionalization. He is used to doing whatever he is told even though sometimes he might not agree with it. In other words I would say he is used to being a "normal" adult going to the motto "you win some and lose some" I would imagine. because of this, they are perfect for eachother. ryan is the one that goes overboard with wild ideas and Justin is the one that brings him to reality a little more so they can find some sort of common ground.
This story shows than we need people to help us become who we got to be.
This is true in my life. I have see the difference of results when I've tried to do things on my own Vs. when I have had help from family or friends. For Ryan it was figuring out that his passion was to be a police officer. we can see when he asks Just not to quit and he says "I need you bro". that is candid moment when Ryan is genuinely asking for Justin to help him out through the investigation they are doing although they are not real cops. We can tell it takes a lot for him to admit that he does need help, and this is something that happens in real life. For me an example would be living away from home my freshman year of college. It was hard but i was not willing to admit it, and I thought I could make it on my own, that I could figure things out. It took a lot for me to realize that I was wrong, to tell my parents, and to make the tough decision of moving back
home.
Justin struggles with believing in himself and following through even when the situation gets tough. Throughout the movie, he wants to quit every time the investigation on the mob gets tough or every time is is in slight danger. At the coffee shop, he won't tell the girl that he likes her, when she finds out he is a cop, she starts talking to him and he goes along with it because he thinks that's the only reason she likes him. he doesn't believe in himself, or that is is genuinely a good looking guy and that girls can like him with the job he has. Thiswithot a doubt is a struggle that many people face. the struggle of self confidence and self trust. I myself have gone and am still going through phases of self doubt. Like justin when he is doubtful of his video gave, I am constantly doubtful of my career choice, and what I want to do in life. I question if it is a great idea or if people will like it, or if they will view me differently because of it. It has to take my friends and family to remind me that I am my biggest critic and cheerleader. I choose how the world sees my work and me.
Through out the movie, there are many opportunities that Ryan and Justin could have easily gotten out of the situation by calling the cops. But because ryan wants to really have something to do, he convinces Justin to not involve the police. this is a bit frustrating and i dont like it very much. However I do understand that it has to be like that in order for the movie to continue. Another thing I don't like very much is the convincing process that keeps justin away from the police. The problem with this is that it doesn't take much to get him to keep working as a pretend cop. I just wish there is a legitimate reason, just kinda does it because Ryan wants him to. I guess the lack of self principle does not settle alright with me. The one last problem I have with this film is that they are never punished for their actions of fully on impersonating police, and interfering with police work. I feel like this makes it look like it is ok to do such things when in reality it is not.
At the end we see Ryan graduate from police academy proudly and excited. We see justin take charge and promote his Idea with confidence, and refuse to be bullied. at the end, he is successful and people love his Idea. Although they are 30, we see them come of age. This to me teaches me that people are different, some can figure it out quickly, and be guided by society, like all those people at the reunion who followed through with the path that was set out for them. and for some people, it takes a little longer to find their path. it takes a bunch of falling down before they can get back up once and forall with confidence and happiness. At the end of the day no matter how long it takes you to get there, you do get there at some point. and it is a fulfilling feeling.
to be cops more often and although justin resists the idea he finally agrees and before he knows it, Ryan has bought a police car, the red and blue lights, and the LAPD logo from ebay and he is into it more than Justin would like. It all quickly takes a turn however, when they are involved with the local mob. Although there are some parts of this film that seemed too overdone, I like it, it achieved it's comic goal, and it was all in all a coming of age story that I can relate to.
Through out this movie Ryan in the character that is persistent compared to justin who is resistant. The difference is clear and I beleive it comes from who they have grown into as people. Ryan has become a self guided and dependent person who makes decision on his own and does whatever he wants to do. Also he hasn't held a job in a long time. Justin on the other hand is used to institutionalization. He is used to doing whatever he is told even though sometimes he might not agree with it. In other words I would say he is used to being a "normal" adult going to the motto "you win some and lose some" I would imagine. because of this, they are perfect for eachother. ryan is the one that goes overboard with wild ideas and Justin is the one that brings him to reality a little more so they can find some sort of common ground.
This story shows than we need people to help us become who we got to be.
This is true in my life. I have see the difference of results when I've tried to do things on my own Vs. when I have had help from family or friends. For Ryan it was figuring out that his passion was to be a police officer. we can see when he asks Just not to quit and he says "I need you bro". that is candid moment when Ryan is genuinely asking for Justin to help him out through the investigation they are doing although they are not real cops. We can tell it takes a lot for him to admit that he does need help, and this is something that happens in real life. For me an example would be living away from home my freshman year of college. It was hard but i was not willing to admit it, and I thought I could make it on my own, that I could figure things out. It took a lot for me to realize that I was wrong, to tell my parents, and to make the tough decision of moving back
home.
Justin struggles with believing in himself and following through even when the situation gets tough. Throughout the movie, he wants to quit every time the investigation on the mob gets tough or every time is is in slight danger. At the coffee shop, he won't tell the girl that he likes her, when she finds out he is a cop, she starts talking to him and he goes along with it because he thinks that's the only reason she likes him. he doesn't believe in himself, or that is is genuinely a good looking guy and that girls can like him with the job he has. Thiswithot a doubt is a struggle that many people face. the struggle of self confidence and self trust. I myself have gone and am still going through phases of self doubt. Like justin when he is doubtful of his video gave, I am constantly doubtful of my career choice, and what I want to do in life. I question if it is a great idea or if people will like it, or if they will view me differently because of it. It has to take my friends and family to remind me that I am my biggest critic and cheerleader. I choose how the world sees my work and me.
Through out the movie, there are many opportunities that Ryan and Justin could have easily gotten out of the situation by calling the cops. But because ryan wants to really have something to do, he convinces Justin to not involve the police. this is a bit frustrating and i dont like it very much. However I do understand that it has to be like that in order for the movie to continue. Another thing I don't like very much is the convincing process that keeps justin away from the police. The problem with this is that it doesn't take much to get him to keep working as a pretend cop. I just wish there is a legitimate reason, just kinda does it because Ryan wants him to. I guess the lack of self principle does not settle alright with me. The one last problem I have with this film is that they are never punished for their actions of fully on impersonating police, and interfering with police work. I feel like this makes it look like it is ok to do such things when in reality it is not.
At the end we see Ryan graduate from police academy proudly and excited. We see justin take charge and promote his Idea with confidence, and refuse to be bullied. at the end, he is successful and people love his Idea. Although they are 30, we see them come of age. This to me teaches me that people are different, some can figure it out quickly, and be guided by society, like all those people at the reunion who followed through with the path that was set out for them. and for some people, it takes a little longer to find their path. it takes a bunch of falling down before they can get back up once and forall with confidence and happiness. At the end of the day no matter how long it takes you to get there, you do get there at some point. and it is a fulfilling feeling.