R.I.P.D.

R.I.P.D, or "Rest In Peace Department" is more accurately "Relatively Interesting idea, Poorly Done". What initially was a very intriguing idea about a dead cop fighting the undead with the rest of the deceased law enforcement from throughout American history plays out like Men in Black Light. Even Jeff Bridges as Roy, the six-shooting Western relic can't save the film from failure. In fact, he has a bit too much fun with his character's gruffness and accented one-liners.

The film starts out with Nick (Reynolds), a morally conflicted maverick detective embroiled in a guilty conscience gold scheme that plays way too large of a role at the end. We are led to believe that there is a passionate relationship, but there isn't a noticeable spark and not enough of a relationship built to draw any viewer emotion when Nick dies. Enter the R.I.P.D. after a pretty cool 3D scene in which time freezes and he's taken up past limbo. He's told he can do a tour as a cop for the undead, or face judgment, in which case it's not entirely clear which way he'd end up.

Nick is paired up with Roy (Bridges), who stands out like a sore thumb in his ridiculous 10-gallon hat and mustache. There is tension from the start as Nick is left to figure out the rules of being dead while Roy judges him pretty harshly. The rules of being dead by the way are odd, the most stark being that they don't look or talk like themselves. They blend in with the crowds, and take the form of an old Chinese man, or a Victoria's Secret model. To make matters more difficult, when they try to speak (Nick to his wife) it comes out as gibberish.

This is the point that Men in Black takes over. The undead hiding in Boston are monsters with no real ill intent, but superhuman powers and nonsensical deformities. They simply want to avoid judgment and stay on Earth. Why you ask? Me too. How you ask? Me too. It was somewhere around here that I drifted off for a few minutes. How many I'm not sure, but you know it's bad when you fall asleep during a 3D action film. I woke up as the film was wrapping up, but didn't miss a thing. The duo are on probation for screwing up, and manage to save the world from catastrophic total destruction.

Directed by Robert Schwentke (RED, Flightplan, Time Traveler's Wife), this is the highest profile film on his resume, although 2010's RED was a surprise hit that even he didn't expect. The direction wasn't bad, and there were plenty of explosive scenes with cool, but choppy visual effects. Written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay, the team that brought you the awful Jackie Chan classic, The Tuxedo as well as Aeon Flux and Clash of the Titans, the story plays out as if they wrote it knowing that it would stall their careers. No originality or plot twists. Action scenes are contrived and leave unanswered questions. The relationship between Nick and his wife is weak, and the rules of being dead are both vague and complicated. The premise is great, but it could have been executed much more smoothly and cleverly.

Ryan Reynolds brings his action machismo, but fails to showcase either of his best qualities (quick wit and abs). He plays a conflicted character; both confused at his new life/death and cool and confident as a cop. It doesn't jive, and comes off making him look rather amateur.

Jeff Bridges is too good of an actor to be dragged into rubbish like this. Especially with a character so poorly written. Sure, he has some good lines, but he's getting too old for action. He's making some money after his Oscar, but he is in his prime, and should capitalize on that for critical work.

Kevin Bacon gets far too little screentime, which is probably a good thing for him and eerily looks like he should play Reynolds' brother/father. Stephanie Szostak, who made an impression on me in Dinner for Schumucks plays the widow with the light of an actress on the rise, even if her French accent is a bit too noticeable to be taken seriously as a Bostonian. Mary Louise Parker is the other big name as the welcoming committee for the deceased, and she deadpans without emotion or effort. Overall, the film was destined for weakness despite its fun idea. With a take of just $13 million or so to date, and a budget of $130 million, it might be the bust of the summer. 5/10.