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Street Kings
User Score
7.5 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 60 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 60
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 60
  3. Negative: 6 out of 60

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  1. Robert
    Oct 10, 2008
    9
    I don't think the critics are right on this one. I thought it was a verry good movie and a damn good Keanu Reeves movie.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. ShandraL.
    Apr 29, 2008
    2
    Although there are lots of fight scenes, the plot is slow-moving and tedious. Hugh Laurie is a total disappointment and his wraith-like, inconsequential character is 2-dimensional and without any apparent reason for being in the film. The only good thing about the film was the plethora of good-looking people - Keanu is still drool-alicious.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  3. jorge
    Feb 8, 2009
    6
    This movie is okay not the best action movie, but still has some awesome scenes,and it keep's you wondering what will happen next.Acting was okay and the plot was okay it's not worth to go see it in the theater maybe just rent it for $2.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  4. DavidS.
    Apr 16, 2008
    7
    Astounding dialogue, subtle characterization, pretty solid acting across the board, but - for a movie whose ending is clear pretty much from the get-go - it gets kind of rushed and incoherent at the end.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  5. BoM.
    Apr 16, 2008
    10
    Finally another cop movie that delivers and is king and raises the bar in the world of police corruption, I can't believe no one else gets it, and sees how great this film is. It doesn't get any better then this, I have to put this one in my pile of all time classic great dark cop films, and this is my new number one, among the greats like Training Day, Copland, Internal Affairs, Narc, LA Confidential, The Departed, Harsh Times, The Negotiator,… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  6. Junior
    Apr 22, 2008
    9
    This was a surprisingly good movie considering who the lead actor and what type of "professional" reviews this movie received. I left the movie with a great experience and I was entertained the whole way through. Yes, at times it was very typical and some lines were weird but it didn't take much at all away from the movie. A must see for everyone because this is as serious and realistic as you get in a movie. If you don't catch this in the theaters, its one for your DVD collection.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  7. Eric
    Jun 20, 2008
    8
    This movie is really enjoyable. I can see why the critics panned it: Keanu is a wooden actor and the plot has been done before. The "surprises" aren't really surprises. But the tension in this film builds well, the action scenes are solid and the pacing is great. I don't need to get all emotional over the characters in a police action thriller, I just want to enjoy it. For me, that's what this film comes down to, it's enjoyable to watch. Nothing super memorable, but it is fun.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  8. LukeS
    Jun 9, 2008
    10
    Very fun movie if you weigh two hundred and twenty five pounds.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  9. MarkK.
    Aug 26, 2008
    8
    Since James Ellroy takes the screenwriting duties it's to no surprise that the script's structure takes a similar setup to L.A Confindental, which means that Street Kings is a very authentic triller with plenty of plot twists to keep you watching throughout putting a satisfied smile on your face at the end. The performances are mostly excellent with sharp dialogue that makes you feel the heat radiating from the conversations and fights. The only problem is Reeves, who brings in the same monotonous voice that we've heard before and thus seems to generate a lot of contrast with the other actors. He also looks as tough as a cardboard box. Still, this film is well worth watching.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  10. ScottA
    Apr 12, 2008
    10
    This was a badass movie if training day was badass this one just blows it away. There is action, suspense, mystery at every corner. I was really enjoyed watching this movie and the cast was awesome, come on Keanu Reeves ( Neo the chosen one) was badass in his role. Chris Evans was really good too. So far this is the best movie in theater, it's a must watch!!!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  11. JoyLove
    Apr 13, 2008
    5
    Initially, the story suggested an interesting plot which became somewhat difficult to follow, yet fell into the "star overcomes all" category. I actually dozed off several times and didn't miss a thing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  12. ChadS.
    Apr 13, 2008
    7
    At the outset of "Street Kings", Detective Tom Ludlow (Keanu Reeves) walks into a Korean gang den and mows down the unarmed men in cold blood. His former partner, a black man, accuses him of being racist. Since the Asian nationals were harborers of sex trade children, Tom's actions are rationalized as being just. The film itself, not just the detective's colleagues, protects the morally ambiguous cop. If the dead Koreans didn't imprison two minors in their compound, the audience would turn on Detective Ludlow. The men he shoots unlawfully needed to be more evil than himself. It's the difference between being an anti-hero like "Dirty Harry"(Clint Eastwood as Bill Callahan) and a dirty cop (Denzel Washington in "Training Day"). But here's the rub. Tom is a dirty cop. But in the context of the LAPD, he's not half-bad. Again, this a result of the film's agenda to suture the law officer's nihilism. To the film's credit, the suture isn't complete the second time around. After a case of friendly fire in a grocery store, Tom goes to the wife of the victim. "Street Kings" doesn't allow Ludlow to be completely redeemed, but will the audience pick up on this?… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  13. Nico
    Apr 14, 2008
    8
    Entertaining enough, good twists and some intense moments...decent story about police corruption and street justice.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  14. Jandra
    Apr 18, 2008
    9
    An entertaining thrill ride.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  15. ChrisH.
    Apr 21, 2008
    9
    Great Ellroy adaptation. Vastly underrated, though bears some similarity to 1997's L.A. Confidential
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  16. JayH.
    Aug 14, 2008
    6
    Well made but not very convincing. The film's style is very routine and the movie didn't really have anything new to offer. The acting is good, as well as the editing.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  17. GeorgeM
    Aug 25, 2008
    8
    It's a decent cop drama with enough twists to keep it interesting. The movie has a cold brutality to it, watching Tom Ludlow (Reeves) being used as a instrument of death for the sake of corruption is interesting to watch.....especially as he slowly finds out the truth. Acting is decent all around and despite some cheesey dialogue here and there everything works out well. The shoot-outs are particular brutal and have a gritty realistic vibe to them, making it all the more intense. This film is definately worth a look.....one of the better " cop / crime dramas" to come around in a while.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  18. JackB
    Sep 19, 2008
    8
    Easily the best cop movie out in the last few years, gritty yet slick and stylish. Keanu Reeves suits the role well and is the best thing I've seen him in in ages. Could have done with being another 10-15 minutes longer but overall very enjoyable.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  19. MikeN.
    Apr 11, 2008
    7
    Not a terrible movie, but not a terribly good movie either. Forest Whitaker was awesome, as usual. Keanu Reeves was his usual self, not that that’s a bad thing. The more I see of Chris Evans the more I like. The plot has a few twists and turns and tries to stay ahead of the audience, but it’s pretty easy to figure out even before half way through the movie. Kept me entertained and I never thought about walking out or wanting it to be over. If you’re looking for something to watch, you could do a lot worse than Street Kings.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  20. BobbyHill
    Apr 12, 2008
    8
    Pretty legit. Lots of twists and turns. Good acting. Highly entertaining stuff.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  21. ElisaG.
    Apr 13, 2008
    10
    Great movie. The action is powerful.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  22. JS.
    Apr 15, 2008
    10
    A dark and gritty look at a rogue LAPD detective that is far more plausible than most give it credit for.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  23. TayW.
    Apr 19, 2008
    10
    The movie hits a serious issue of corruption within the law enforcement. Whitaker and Reeves did a wonderful performance.
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  24. JohnL.
    May 22, 2008
    9
    In my opinion, this is one of the best cop movies to come out in years. keanu reeves was the right guy to lead this flick and it was great to see Hugh Laurie take on another role, even if he did have several "House-ish" moments. even Chris Evans (who i didn't like in F4) was well placed. yeah there were some 'whatever' moments but overall, it was a good cop movie and i thoroughly enjoyed it. my last comment is that they took the graphic violence seriously but not too far and that was also very appealing, considering the tone of the movie. i'm hoping for an extended, unrated cut on DVD.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  25. JoshB.
    Aug 19, 2008
    8
    Saw this at the cinema. Very good. Better then I expected especially from Keanu. He was very good!
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  26. moviefreak12
    Dec 15, 2010
    10
    great cop movie great plot and acting. the fighting scenes are well done and has some well placed plot twistes. street kings is one of the best movies of 2009
  27. spadenx
    Dec 5, 2011
    6
    I agree that its an underrated film but critics but its not that good. Solid acting and Reeves is a good lead for the film. However the script is really all over the place and it never really hits as it should have, In fact its actually a bit confusing at times because you dont know where they are gonna go with it. Overall, It was a solid action flick but thats about it.
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Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
55 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 28 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 28
  3. Negative: 2 out of 28
  1. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    80
    "Kings" covers familiar territory but does so with ruthless efficiency, intense performances and a densely packed plot designed to highlight the moral issues that most concern Ayer and Ellroy.
  2. Variety
    Reviewed by: Peter Debruge
    80
    A brutal look at police corruption that allows director David Ayer and "L.A. Confidential" author James Ellroy to pool their deeply cynical insights.
    Read full review
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Tim Grierson
    50
    Ayer's grim police thriller mostly plays as one long dick-measuring competition. You sense that an infinitely more complex drama exists within the film's grasp, but no one bothered to stop guzzling the testosterone long enough to find it.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »