Bending the Rules

First the disclaimers: I am not a fan of the WWE nor do I normally watch any of their productions outside of Steve Austin films and a few with that Piper guy. The only reason I got this film was that it was at the local flee market and I needed a fourth film to complete my 4 for $10 and had a choice between this or another copy of "Hunger Games" with Russian subtitles. It is with extreme reluctance and prejudice that I popped this film into my DVD, hoping it would not play and I could return it next week for something better. Adam "Edge" Copeland stars as Nick Blades, an unorthodox plains clothes New Orleans detective with a gag name. He is on trial for corruption and is up against Theo Gold (Jamie Kennedy) the assistant DA. Theo is dedicated, uncharismatic, and disliked by nearly everyone including his family. There are a number of odd things going on and about midway through the film the plot is explained to us by an under utilized Pruitt Taylor Vince in a doughnut shop. There were some LOL moments such as when Blades talks to a young girl sitting on her doorstep. Then there were very slow scenes involving Gold's father. It was a decent second tier comedy/action/cop drama that had the feel of a television pilot. They could have cast better than Jamie Kennedy who did a lame job playing a lame guy. Good sound track. No f-bombs, sex, or nudity

Just saw this, liked it. Although could have improved on the action scenes (shoot-out) and mainly the plot. Jamie Kennedy's role would have been done way much better if it had gone to John Getz (20 years back) or Jon Lovitz. But nevertheless Jamie did a nice job. Adam Edge Copeland went through the film as if he had long tenure of previous experiences and i was surprised to find this is one of his first movies in leading role. Liked him very much in this role, hoping for more. This movie reminds me of late 80's and early 90's cop movies such as "hard way". Jennifer Esposito and Elena Lyons looked hot. Kevin Weisman, Philip Baker Hall and Jessica Walter did a nice job and will remain in my mind for at least a year. I am definitely going to recommend this to my friends.

Bending the Rules is another PG-13 action film from WWE studios that actually has some wit and charm about it which is certainly not the norm from films released by the Wrestling juggernaut. Those who know him as Edge won't be surprised to find that Adam Copeland displays a talent for comedic timing and comes off as rather affable in this film. Jamie Kennedy who supports him is also charming and has good chemistry with Copeland. Bending The Rules is a light hearted buddy cop movie and that concept alone may turn off a number of people. The film does not aim to be accurate or dramatic or overly violent. However, for a direct to dvd feature, it's a good film. It has a plot, that whilst not unpredictable, is entertaining and keeps the getting going and overall the storytelling is perfectly serviceable. Don't come to Bending the Rules for innovation or exception. It's a formulaic genre film that has enough charm to outweigh its more generic elements.

Wow. I've seen better student films. Where to start? Oh the woeful script. A comedy? Not even a snicker of laughs in it. OH the wooden delivery. Who directed this rubbish. Can you not listen to an actor delivering their lines and not go "Oh! That doesn't sound right and make them do it again... properly?" Oh the music. I mean wow. It is so bad. Totally destroys any chance for the watcher to get into it. Worst ever. How on earth is it a 5.1 star movie? No redeeming features about this movie, I gave up after 20 minutes and instead went to Youtube to watch cats being stupid videos to try and wipe this rubbish from my brain.

Not bad as I was expecting... I had fun, the script was decent and I liked the actors, all of them. I spent one hour and a half and I don't regret that. Easy to watch without thinking too much... that's what I want and I got it. Sorry for those who are looking only for Oscar movies and trying that they don't enjoy anything and they always get angry and disappointed... keep going on... you will never be satisfied... so sad guys, so sad...

For an action movie, it shows poor action. In fact, I don't think there was any good action part in it. The story is easily predictable even though with a mystery in it. It is awkward because they made this movie stand on the blur grey line. It's not an action but I think it's not drama either and I doubt if this is a comedy. You don't find any action sensation in it for it has so few action part which was not good at all. You also can't feel the drama because it didn't draw you to one. You may laugh for some part in this movie but not good enough, just okay. Every part of this movie was made nearly half of being good. It's like climbing a mountain but stop just in the middle and then go back. We don't even have the chance to reach the top. Dwayne Johnson, Terry Gene and John Cena are several wrestler that I know also played in movies too. They played not bad at all especially Dwayne and I think Edge too. He maybe not acted so well but he still made his part okay. If you ever saw him wrestle, then you will notice that he surely can hide his character in the ring and show up in different character in this movie. Jamie played in many comedy movies or absurd character. He shows his experience in this movie and I think it's too bad that the story is so poor. Such a poor ending also ruined the whole movie. The only good part of this movie is the relationship of Theo and his father. Not that well but at least gave a glimpse of color in this plain movie.

Amazingly unfunny comedy with an amazing amount of unfunny jokes and amazingly terrible delivery by an amazingly unfunny cast. I actually like Jamie Kennedy usually, thought he was hilarious in MALIBU'S MOST WANTED and I even enjoyed KICKIN IT OLD SCHOOL but here he doesn't even appear to try. But I guess his role is not really supposed to be funny though, his role is meant to be the punchline of the joke. Jamie plays a lawyer who's trying to nail a cop that likes to "bend the rules" and by doing that he get harassed and bullied by the whole police department almost on a organised level. And that is supposed to be funny, but really really isn't (big surprise). That's not all that it's about though of course, but the rest of the plot is so riddled with plot holes and other nonsense that it would be hard to even describe it. It's a WWE movie so of course it stars a wrestler in the lead as the "bad cop" Jamie Kennedy's character is trying to nail, he's played by someone called Edge, he's not the worst wrestler to attempt at acting but he's miles away from being The Rock, and I mean comparing him to actual actors he's pretty crap. Jennifer Esposito is just wasted talent in this one as well. If you like your comedies humour free with plots that doesn't make sense and with a New Orleans blues-rock soundtrack then you might want to give it a go. If not watch something else.

I'm not a high-brow movie critic by any means. I have my personal niche of movies I tend to enjoy and I'm comfortable with that. I would make a terrible professional critic because I tend to find the good in all things artistic. When I bother to rate movies here, I usually rate them a 5 or better, I don't think I've ever given a 5 rating. I gave this one an 8. The 'co-lead role' actor is a pro-wrestler-turned-actor, but doesn't do a completely horrible job. It's really not difficult to imagine since a pro wrestler is simply acting a role for the most part. So he seems to carry a confidence that most newcomers don't have. His contrast with Jamie Kennedy is really good and there seems to be a good chemistry and blend to make the characters interesting. The plot and story line get a little confusing, lots of sub characters to remember and try to keep up with. But for me this makes the movie more interesting, especially the second or third viewing. You pick up things you missed the first time, and it's like watching a new movie. Some people have very analytical minds and can quickly pick this one apart in no time, so the details are part of the puzzle. In any event, there is enough action and comedy mixed with drama and suspense, it makes for a pretty decent movie overall. Plus... Any movie set in New Orleans is going to be interesting. Add a street-wise, bend-the-rules cop and you have a good foundation for Kennedy's comic relief. It's just a good formula in my opinion.

The trailer made the movie seem funnier. But like most trailers they picked out the best scenes. So what is left. Well,the main characters make a nice duo. Not really that much interesting interaction between them though.But it wasn't bad. Jamie Kennedy was out of his game somehow. He played a far too serious character and it did not work for him. They put him in all kinds of situations.And you would expect a character to freak out or something. But his reaction to those events was so under played that it did made you think why he was in the movie in the first place.Nice is good but a buddy movie,yes, that is what it supposed to be, requires great chemistry and fireworks.Or at least something that would put both characters on edge (no pun intended). Not being familiar with wrestling I don't really know the people involved. But I thought that the main character who played Nick Blades was very decent and extremely charming. And his charm and laid back character is extremely effective in otherwise a barely eventful movie. Decent enough for a rainy Sunday.

Bending the Rules certainly isn't going to win any awards and it probably won't win over the critics, but it's an enjoyable film that simply doesn't make the most of its potential. Adam "Edge" Copeland was impressive in his first film. Though I'm not familiar with his in-ring persona at all, I thought he was very comfortable in his role and could easily have handled more. Perhaps a more serious movie will be in his future. Jamie Kennedy was fine though not memorable, while Jennifer Esposito and Alicia Witt were essentially wasted in small roles. Pruitt Taylor Vince and Philip Baker Hall were excellent in their limited screen time and Jessica Walter did not disappoint, though her character was a bit campier than I was hoping for. Her fans should especially enjoy the scene where no fewer than nine pictures of Walter herself adorn the background. Hall and Walter were perfectly cast and it seems like a film based around the Gold family could be quite a treat - either as a comedy or a family drama. The biggest problem is that while there are some great funny moments, Bending the Rules is not really funny enough to be a comedy - yet it's too absurd at times for a drama and I was torn between wanting more laughs and wishing it was a serious film. The assembled cast is certainly capable of either and deserved better. I'm giving the film an 8 out of 10 not because it's a stellar film but simply because it's a fun film that doesn't drag and it exceeded my expectations. Some of the film's weakest moments are in the trailer and if the first-day turnout in Memphis is any indication, too many people have written it off based on that alone. That's unfortunate, because the film deserves a better fate. Those shut out by the limited release only have to wait a few weeks for the DVD, which I hope will fare better than the theatrical release.