48 Hours
They couldnt have liked each other less. They couldnt have needed each other more.
Rating: 3/10
Running Time: 96 minutes
UK Certificate: 18
On DVD
Its a full 25 minutes before Eddie Murphy makes his way onto the screen in 1982s 48 Hrs. Its a noteworthy appearance for two reasons. 1: Its his first ever starring role in a movie. 2: We havent been able to get rid of him ever since.
Those opening 25 minutes make for some tough viewing. Nick Nolte, as hard-bitten detective Jack Cates, sees two of his colleagues shot down in cold blood by escaped convict Ganz (James Remar), before setting about catching this gruff-voiced baddie on his own. The only trouble is, he soon finds thats easier said than done – so roll out the Murphster as prison inmate Reggie Hammond, Ganzs former partner-in-crime.
The general deal is, Reggies allowed out of the slammer for 48 hours (geddit?), on the proviso that he helps the downright dislikeable Cates find his fugitive. Cue bar-room brawls, street-fights and run-ins with the uniformed side of the law as the pair of them make their investigation about as discreet as Nicole Kidmans rubber hooter in another rubbish film with Hours in its title.
In these days where such buddy-cop flicks are two-a-penny, the subject matter of 48 Hours is incredibly dated. But there are much better reasons than that for treating this guff to a good ol slagging. What the film basically boils down to is a couple of racists wandering around town swearing at each other. Thats often passed off as chemistry between the two leads, but personally Id much rather see a bit of decent comedy in there instead. In fact, Im still not entirely sure if its meant to be a comedy at all. It certainly has none of the humour of Murphys vastly superior project from two years later, Beverly Hills Cop.
It's Got: Murphy screeching The Polices Roxanne at the top of his voice. Well, at least we can stop wondering why the pop career never really took off.
It Needs: Some laughs would help.
DVD Extras Theyre nice to us and only give us a theatrical trailer. DVD Extras Rating: 1/10
Summary
Outdated, offensive, and not remotely funny give this one a wide berth.