Watch National Security
- PG-13
- 2003
- 1 hr 28 min
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5.6 (55,274)
National Security is a 2003 action comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan and starring Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn, and Colm Feore. The film tells the story of two unlikely partners, Earl Montgomery and Hank Rafferty, who team up to stop a group of art thieves who are responsible for stealing valuable paintings from wealthy homes. Earl is an angry and bitter man who has just been fired from his job as a security guard after an altercation with the LAPD. Hank is a disgraced police officer who was forced to leave the force after being wrongly accused of stealing a police uniform. When Earl witnesses a robbery and identifies the thieves, he becomes a target and is wrongly accused of being involved in the crime. Hank, who is working as a security guard, also sees the robbery and offers to help Earl clear his name. The two men team up and set out to catch the real culprits.
As they investigate the robbery, Earl and Hank uncover a plot involving corrupt cops and a billionaire businessman who is trying to steal valuable paintings to add to his private collection. The two men encounter a variety of obstacles along the way, including car chases, shootouts, and even a high-speed pursuit on a golf course.
The film is full of witty one-liners and comedic situations, with Lawrence and Zahn delivering strong performances as the mismatched duo. Lawrence's character, in particular, is a standout, bringing his trademark physical comedy and sharp humor to the role of the angry and sarcastic Earl. Zahn, too, is excellent as the ex-cop Hank, bringing a level of seriousness and competence to the role that makes him a great foil for Lawrence's over-the-top antics.
The action in the film is well executed, with the various chase scenes and shootouts all feeling realistic and intense. The film also makes great use of its Los Angeles setting, with several key scenes taking place in iconic locations such as the Hollywood Hills and Venice Beach.
Feore, who plays the villain of the film, is suitably menacing and conniving, with the actor bringing a level of gravitas to the part that makes his character a formidable opponent for Earl and Hank. The supporting cast is also strong, with standouts including Eric Roberts as a sleazy art dealer and Bill Duke as a tough-as-nails police captain.
Overall, National Security is an enjoyable and entertaining action comedy that provides plenty of laughs and thrills. With its energetic pace, strong performances, and comedic tone, the film is a great showcase for Lawrence and Zahn's talents and remains a fan favorite to this day.
National Security is a 2003 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 28 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6 and a MetaScore of 31.