NICOLE ALBERTSON
Staff Writer
While seeing “Reno 911!: Miami,” audiences will be clutching their sides and gasping for air as they experience the year’s best spoof comedy. The Comedy Central cast that normally delivers its humor on the popular television show “Reno 911” every Sunday night expanded its portfolio this weekend when it opened Friday on the silver screen.
Bringing the eccentric Reno police force to the wild streets of Miami was only the beginning of the journey for these outrageous law enforcers. After traveling down to Miami for a National Police Convention, chaos and mayhem interrupt the celebration when every officer in the nation is trapped inside the convention tent due to the release of a hazardous virus. Every officer except the ones from Reno.
The infamous Reno division— previously rejected from the convention— is now relied upon to guard, defend and protect the streets of Miami until an antidote is found for the infectious virus.
The conflict unintentionally caused by these dim-witted cops provokes frightening, yet humorous, turmoil throughout the city.
These over-the-top characters who exploit the common police stereotypes utilize the combined power of subtle awkward moments and slapstick comedy to provide outrageous stunned laughter. Some scenes may go unnoticed to those who are not in tune with the movie’s style, as when Deputy Raineesha Williams (Niecy Nash) paints her nails and sings along to the “Cops” theme song, “Bad Boys,” while the emergency 911 phone calls go unanswered. Others roll the audience on their sides with laughter and disgust, as when Deputy Travis Junior (Robert Ben Garant) falls inside the body of a rotting whale on the beach.
Intellectual humor aside, the officers’ physical appearance is absurd. Whether the pants were cut into booty shorts or the shirts were unbuttoned to resemble Pamela Anderson cleavage, the Reno police force made a statement everywhere they went. One of the most popular shirts is a white muscle tee sported by Junior depicting a stripper and the words “I support single moms.” Luckily for fans, the shirt is available on comedycentral.com for less than $20.
While the main plot was designed around a central theme of madness in Miami, the comedy troop showed off its improvisational talent. Like the weekly show, the cast members feed off each other’s lines and actions, creating the script as the camera rolls.
Some of the best moments are not due to the dramatics of the plot, but rather occur during the subtle glances or comments between actors, those that would not have happened naturally in a script.
Guest appearances by Danny DeVito as the district attorney, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as the head of investigations and Paul Rudd as a drug lord add extra energy to the already pumped-up and sharp cast.
Mimicking the popular reality police drama “Cops,” much of the movie is filmed as a documentary. A shaky camera slides into the backseat of a high speed golf-cart chase and awkward flirtatious encounters are filmed through hotel room screen doors. For those who have not had the pleasure of experiencing the TV shows “Reno 911” or “Cops,” it is a similar style to the popular NBC comedy “The Office.”
Even though the movie calls for a Miami backdrop, much of the film was shot in Pepperdine’s backyard, Santa Monica. Though the beach is disguised through special effects, the Santa Monica and Venice boardwalks are still visible among the Latin influences added to the background.
“Reno 911!: Miami” is a hilarious spoof on the cop life that proves the jump to the big screen can be successful. The ragtag bunch represent the type of highway patrol officers drivers wish would pull cars over simply for the entertainment value.
But do not be fooled by the ridiculous yet innocent previews— “Reno” earned its “R” rating and pushed it to its limit. For those who can stomach excessive sexual innuendos, physical comedy and awkward moments, “Reno 911!: Miami” delivers entertainment and the newest quotes since “Anchorman.”
03-01-2007
