First Shift

Movie #6 in me watching every Uwe Boll movie at least once for a video essay. I took a small break since the last movie I watched and decided for my first one back I'll watch what literally JUST released, especially since the crowdfunding for the POSTAL 2 movie just went up. I do wish I could've seen it in theaters just for personal satisfaction, but I rented it on Amazon and will buy the Blu-Ray in the future.

Probably one of the more serviceable films I've watched recently. It's certainly not unwatchable, but there's some acting that just seems goofy, the whole movie feels weirdly disconnected though and it doesn't feel like some scenes really make any impact. Both main characters are genuinely insufferable for the first 2/3rds of this movie and then they suddenly start to get along. It does have some surprising emotional moments that Work. Generally I wouldn't recommend to watch it unless you're an Uwe Boll fan like me. There's a stinger for a part two eventually which I mean, sure? I'd watch it I guess.

Reading the info on this I went into it thinking it would be a good view, I don't put too much thought into a movie except that it's a break from reality for an hour and a half of entertainment but quite honestly this one was kinda boring, the acting was definitely B movie rating, storyline was all over the place and the characters don't really pull you in too well, main character seems guarded but at the same time opens up messing it up for us as viewers, no spoilers here but I wouldn't recommend this one to anyone as like I said, it is on the boring side and one of those movies where you will watch it one time and never again.

This movie takes 25 minutes to get to the first police action scene, a guy cutting the same part of his arm over and over again with a cleaver. I guess that was the only bleeder special effects they had? After 3-4 times chopping the same place I expected the hand to fall off.

Lots of cop-new-partner buddy talk. Really incredibly boring stuff. Lots of tracking shots of Gino Pesi walking around in his dark coat. Like John Wick, but without any shooting or fighting.

His co-star Detective Kristin Renton acted like she just came from MTV, and she had. She seemed about to start dancing at any point. Just totally no dynamics with the sour personality of Gino Pesi.

Into the movie are cut various scenes of unexplained guy and his girlfriend and son. At some point she wants to leave him because he is doing drugs. No explanation what the connection is to the main characters. Eventually at the end, we get a pretty disgusting murder scene, and the connection is just bombed into the movie.

Halfway in, an old guy (Willie C. Carpenter) has a seizure at a grocery store, and Pesi sees him at the hospital, and the old man asks him to find his dog. Pesi goes back to the grocery store and finds the dog.

The scenes with the dog, Pesi, and Renton are by far the best scenes in this movie. The dog is really friendly and reacts to Pesi better than his partner Renton does. They made the movie a lot better by putting the dog into it. The dog was the only actor that had chemistry with Pesi.

In a departure from high-profile blockbusters, this film presents a refreshingly grounded narrative that captivates through its sincerity and charm. The story centers on a seasoned New York detective who, despite his initial reluctance, is paired with a dynamic female officer recently transferred from Atlanta. This classic setup-where a grizzled veteran must adapt to a new partner-forms the backbone of the film's engaging plot.

While the storyline unfolds within the familiar confines of a New York detective thriller, it distinguishes itself through its focus on character development and realistic, heartfelt interactions. The film skillfully delves into the personal backgrounds of its characters, adding depth to their motivations and relationships. Although the antagonists may adhere to certain genre conventions and lack complexity, they serve their role effectively within the narrative.

Overall, the film succeeds in delivering an entertaining and emotionally resonant experience, despite its adherence to genre tropes. Its strength lies in its authentic portrayal of human connections and the understated charm of its characters, making it a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate a more nuanced approach to the detective genre.

The trailer looked promising though when I saw Boll as the director I had some mighty reservations but all for naught. This was a very entertaining cop movie and certainly not deserving the low score it has here. And while there a few weirdly shot scenes the movie despite as others have said being somewhat disjointed is actually well directed. The strength of the entertainment is admittedly because of the two engaging lead actors ( I've seen him in guest parts on shows and a couple of movies; her never ) and their endless entertaining banter had my wife and I laughing quite a bit. If you're a dog lover there's a small subplot that you'll definitely enjoy. The only thing missing was a good cop shootout but like most cops work lives, that doesn't happen very often. If this were a show we'd definitely be watching but suffice that they have a possible part 2 in the works or already made. Be sure to hear the fantastic music at the beginning of the end credits.