Here’s a conundrum; one of my favorite actors (Jeff Bridges) and one I’ve struggled to fully enjoy (Ryan Reynolds) are in a movie together. Both actors couldn’t be more different, with Bridges having a long and respected career in Hollywood, including the likes of “The Big Lebowski”, “Iron Man” and “True Grit”, while Reynolds has struggled with being a leading man in projects like “Green Lantern”. Now, the two team up for “R.I.P.D.”, one of the worst major blockbusters of the season with a script that struggles with coherency and Ryan Reynolds sleepwalking through the whole affair.
Nick (Ryan Reynolds) is a corrupt cop, whose shady dealings lead him to a not so graceful death. Immediately upon dying, he finds himself recruited for R.I.P.D., an organization that hires the best lawmen that ever died to help capture evil souls who escape judgement. Teamed up with Roy (Jeff Bridges), the two soon stumble on a plot involving mystical gold and the apocalypse.
One major problem I have with this movie is its script, which seems to crush “Ghostbusters” and “Men In Black”, bad visuals, Ryan Reynolds and a cacophony of action into a feature film. The fictional world the movie inhabits is overly confusing, with at least half the film being filled with expository dialogue trying to help the audience make heads or tails of this kooky environment.
Plot holes are plenty but perhaps the movies biggest injustice is it’s tonal inconsistencies; civilians are casually decimated in the ensuing carnage in a darker, more dramatic way, yet when it comes time for Bridges and Reynolds to fight the antagonists, there’s no drama, simply because the protagonists in their afterlife state can’t be hurt. Cement blocks, garbage trucks and falling from dangerous heights have no effect, rendering any kind of dramatic conflict in combat void.
Ryan Reynolds has no expression this entire movie, with his face barely changing whenever he’s conveying emotions like sad or happy. Even his vocal tone remains on the same frequency, whether he’s in danger, laughing or angry. Jeff Bridges is decent in his mentor-esque role, though he’s capable of so much more (one need only watch “Crazy Heart” to know his acting capabilities). He also gets some of the film’s funnier moments, which is good since the rest of the movie’s humor derives from bullying.
I doubt anyone was truly looking forward to this movie this weekend, what with “The Conjuring”, racing snails and Bruce Willis entering theatres this weekend, but for the few with heightened expectations, I’m afraid I must dash those hopes by saying “R.I.P.D.” fails to entertain in any fashion. Aside from a good Jeff Bridges and surprisingly well crafted 3D, “R.I.P.D.” struggles to create any kind of lively entertainment.
