Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg banter all the way to the bank.
by Davis Johnson[Editor’s Note: Davis Johnson is a CL summer intern and completed this review as part of this week’s Intern Issue. Check it out in print, online or in our optimized for iPad E-DITION.]
As 2 Guns opens, we see Bobby Trench (Denzel Washington) and Marcus Stigman (Mark Wahlberg) sitting in a local diner planning to rob a bank called Tres Cruses. The two men complete the heist and quickly turn on each other. That’s when Marcus learns that Bobby is actually DEA, and Bobby realizes that Marcus is Special Forces. They’re also surprised to discover that, instead of robbing a cartel drug lord, they actually ripped off a CIA cash house.
Trench and Stigman are forced to work together by Earl (Bill Paxton), a CIA agent who wants his money back and frames Bobby to incentivize him. Marcus is forced out of the Navy for certain circumstances I’ll not discuss. After encountering several near death experiences — from gun fights to running with a herd of bulls — these two form an unlikely friendship that Marcus embraces but Bobby denies at first before eventually giving in. With their backs against the wall and nowhere else to turn, Marcus and Bobby learn to work together in order to survive.
The aspect of 2 Guns I enjoyed most was the banter between Trench and Stigman. It reminded me of the relationship between two of my friends; one is constantly annoying the other by any means possible, while the other wants no part of it but eventually enjoys having him around and learns to rely on him.
2 Guns has basically everything you would want in an action movie: a fun car chase (not on the same level as the Fast and Furious franchise, but cool nonetheless), fantastic shoot outs, dialogue that keeps you laughing the entire time, and an all-star cast that captivates with every move they make. Wahlberg does a wonderful job playing the younger, happy go lucky partner, while Washington brings a smooth talking, relaxed demeanor to his role.
Are there problems with 2 Guns? Yes, including a ludicrous scene involving Wahlberg being shot at from a helicopter (how did he never get hit?), and one in a bull corral where everyone except the principals gets flung around or trampled. That said, the movie is heartfelt and wonderful to watch. Every single actor plays his or her role masterfully and there is practically no lull through. Every scene seems to captivate the audience — whether it be a high-octane car chase, a chaotic shoot out, or just the hilarity of Mark and Denzel sitting in a diner discussing bank robbery and the quality of the donuts.
Even if your schedule is jam-packed and you don’t have time to sleep, you need to see 2 Guns. It’s thoroughly enjoyable, and you will want to watch it again as soon as the credits roll.