Starsky and Hutch

Review by Clint Morris

The latest comedy outing for Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson isn't unlike sitting through a repeat of a reasonably entertaining TV Sitcom.

You've seen it before, so the jokes aren't as fresh and it all plays out a little "been there – done that".

In this film's case it's the countless old TV Shows-turned-films – I Spy, S.W.A.T, The Fugitive – that we've been treated to over the years, not to mention a slew of satirical 1970's outings.

Australians might recall 70's cop show spoof Funky Squad – it nailed the genre right on the head.

What's going for Starsky and Hutch though, that wasn't going for those other films, is the magnetic presence of constant couple, Stiller and Wilson.

They could make a chicken soup commercial play like the finest 2 minutes the box has ever seen and in the case of Starsky and Hutch; add amusing character turns to something that offers little more.

Stiller's Mr 'by-the-book' Starsky, Wilson's his criminal consorting, rebel rousing new partner, Hutch. With the help of iguana-petting informant Huggy Bear [Snoop Dogg], the two are assigned to take down a powerful, bronzed drug dealer [Vince Vaughn].

Well executed with a few good in-jokes, some fitting 70's music, great costumes, cars and character traits (Vaughn's handle bar moustache is a giggle), Starsky and Hutch seems to have the ol’ TV Show down pat.

If anything, it's loyal, whilst ribbing the original impetus.

Unfortunately though, Starsky and Hutch enters the game a little late. We've seen the 70's satirised before, we've seen plenty of old TV shows turned films too, and we've also seen much better from both Stiller and Wilson.

Having said that, Starsky and Hutch isn't a total misfire. For the most part it's quite good, just don't go expecting anything that you probably could've waited to see on DVD in six months time.

3 out of 5

Starsky and Hutch
Australian release: Thursday April 8th
Cast: Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Snoop Dogg, Vince Vaughn, Juliette Lewis, Fred Williamson, Jason Bateman, Carmen Electra, Will Ferrell, Chris Penn, Amy Smart.
Director: Todd Phillips.
Website: Click here.

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