Watch Dragnet

In 1987, the iconic television show "Dragnet" was brought to the big screen with the movie adaption of the same name. The film was directed by Tom Mankiewicz and starred Dan Aykroyd as Sgt. Joe Friday and Tom Hanks as Detective Pep Streebeck, the same roles made famous in the original TV series. The movie takes place in modern-day Los Angeles, where Friday and Streebeck are part of the LAPD's special investigations division. The two detectives couldn't be more different: Friday is a straight-laced, by-the-book cop who takes his job very seriously, while Streebeck is a wisecracking maverick who doesn't always play by the rules.

Their latest case involves a series of bizarre murders that seem to be linked to a cult-like group known as P.A.G.A.N. (People Against Goodness and Normalcy). As Friday and Streebeck investigate, they uncover a web of corruption and deceit that goes all the way to the top of the department.

Along the way, they encounter a colorful cast of characters, including a sleazy strip club owner (played by Dabney Coleman), a wealthy art collector (played by Christopher Plummer), and a group of hippie-dippy drug dealers (played by Alexandra Paul and Elizabeth Ashley). They also enlist the help of Connie Swail (played by newcomer and romantic interest Alexandra Paul), a wholesome but determined policewoman who is eager to prove herself on the force.

The movie's humor comes from the contrast between Aykroyd's deadpan delivery as Friday and Hanks' zany antics as Streebeck. The two actors have great chemistry and play off each other well, with Hanks stealing many of the film's funniest moments. There are plenty of slapstick gags and silly one-liners, but the movie doesn't sacrifice suspense or tension in the process.

One of the film's standout sequences is a car chase through the streets of Los Angeles that is both exciting and hilarious. The chase culminates in an epic collision involving several cars and a giant RV, with Friday and Streebeck emerging unscathed (but covered in debris) to make an arrest.

In addition to its comedy and action elements, "Dragnet" also has a satirical edge. The movie pokes fun at the excesses of the 1980s, from the garish neon signage of strip clubs to the obsession with status symbols like expensive cars and designer drugs. At the same time, it delivers a message about the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of fighting corruption, albeit in a lighthearted way.

The movie's production values are top-notch, with a slick look and feel that belies its origins as a TV show. The soundtrack, featuring a mix of original songs and 80s classics, also adds to the movie's appeal.

Overall, "Dragnet" is a fun, fast-paced comedy that successfully updates a classic TV series for a modern audience. Its blend of action, humor, and social commentary create a memorable movie that will appeal to fans of both the original show and the buddy cop genre.

Dragnet is a 1987 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 46 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.0 and a MetaScore of 62.