National Security

This morning, National Security was on the chopping block.

This 2003 film starred Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn. It was directed by Dennis Duggan and written by Jay Scherick and David Ronn.

In the racially tense world of today, the storyline of this movie follows two men involved in a misunderstanding between a white cop and a black male citizen. Steve Zahn played Officer Hank Rafferty and Martin Lawrence was Earl Montgomery. National Security is based in Los Angeles in what was present day at the time of the film.

The movie begins with Officer Hank Rafferty and his partner being called to a storage facility. They discover that it is being robbed. Hank is forced to watch his partner get killed because he is locked out of the area where the action is taking place. Next, Earl Montgomery is seen attending the Los Angeles Police Academy. He is then kicked out after a crazy car chase that ends in total destruction. Shortly after Hank spots Earl in what looks like an attempt to steal a car. Earl insists that the car is his and feels like he is being harassed by Hank. Then after some shit talking from Earl, Hank decides to arrest him. When he puts Earl up against the car, Earl notices a bee flying around them and being deathly allergic he freaks out. A civilian in the park video taped the whole incident. However his video is from the opposite side of the car and it appears that Officer Hank is beating Earl. Earl takes full advantage of the situation. Hank is left with no way to defend his actions and his superiors have no force but to send his case to trial. Hank is found guilty and sentenced to six months.

After serving his time in prison, Hank gets a job as a security guard, but still tries to solve his partner’s murder. When a similar call come across the police scanner, Hank decides to investigate. When he arrives at the warehouse, he discovers a group robbing it. When the shooting starts, Earl, the guard actually on duty, is upstairs with a female friend. Earl then saves Hank by shooting the man holding him at gunpoint before he realizes who he is. Both of the men end up hiding beside the same soda crate. When they realize who the other one is they must overcome their past differences and shoot the men trying to kill him. After the shootout ends, Hank and Earl chase the bad guys’ van in Hank’s car, but are pulled over by LAPD when they speed through a light. Back at the police station, no one believes them or will help. Hank and Earl are forced to team up in order to solve this case. When they make a discovery that could implicate someone in the police force if right things get interesting. Can they overcome the racial problems from their past? Will Hank and Earl be able to work together to crack the case?

This was a perfect movie to watch. Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn’s characters do a great job of addressing racial stereotypes and tensions in the world we live in today. Now mind you this movie did come out in 2003 but it shows issues that are affecting americans today. This comedy shows a black man who is “assaulted” by a white cop and then when their fates become intertwined they must work past their differences for the greater good. I give this movie a three out of five stars. This an entertaining quick 88 minute watch. If you are a fan of Martin Lawrence or Steve Zahn and haven’t seen this one check it out. Good comedic interaction between these two in this action comedy.

“What the problem is?” – Earl Montgomery

As always thank you for reading.

Email us at SnacksCinema@gmail.com

Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @SnacksCinema