National Security

Name: National Security
Genre: Action, Thriller, Comedy, Crime
Released: January 17, 2003
Duration: 88 min
Rating: 31
Cast: Colm Feore, Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn

2003

METASCORE

Generally unfavorable reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 47 Ratings

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4.7

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4.7	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 47 Ratings

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National Security

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Movie Details & Credits

Columbia Pictures | Release Date: January 17, 2003 | PG-13

Starring: Colm Feore, Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn

Summary: Two L.A.P.D. rejects end up partnered as security guards and uncover a sophisticated smuggling operation.

Director: Dennis Dugan

Genre(s): Action, Thriller, Comedy, Crime

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 88 min

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Critic Reviews

Ray Conlogue

Entertaining and well done. Without losing its comic rhythm for a moment, it is also a withering spoof of black victimism and the corrupting effect of racial solidarity on the American legal system. Read full review

William Arnold

It's only a notch above the routine, and it obeys all the conventions of its tired formula, but it also tones the anarchy with a serious edge and it works a surprisingly effective vein of race-relations satire. Read full review

Michael Miller

As the two cop manqués overcome their dearth of common sense to save the day, the film achieves a comic playfulness. Read full review

Elizabeth Weitzman

It's too bad the film never makes good on its early promise, but clearly, the rolling fireballs and flying bullets are the priority. Read full review

Joe Morgenstern

Has many more downs than ups, but this ragged action comedy, with Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn as mismatched buddies, rings some outrageously funny changes on a deadly serious genre of amateur video that began with Rodney King.

Jonathan Foreman

Everything about National Security is so lazy and uninspired, it's hard to believe that director Dennis Dugan also made "Happy Gilmore," arguably Adam Sandler's funniest movie. Read full review

Mick LaSalle

A sour story with a repellent lead character, deadly comic schtick and tin-eared direction to produce 90 minutes of sheer, plodding mirthlessness. Read full review

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User Reviews

Masterelia

Jun 9, 2018

Lawrence just makes this movie amazing and funny. This is my favorite movie that he has been in. I dont care if its racist or offensive i just find this soooo funny

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilmVirtue

Mar 28, 2015

It's aggravating racist controlled premise is worn within the first ten minutes of the film, but overall is mostly covered by the quality performances of Zahn and Lawrence.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

SuperbaDMIke

Jun 18, 2022

National Security is a movie not about security and the villain has a confusing power of disappearing.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Jan 9, 2017

ça fait penser aux 48 Heures sauf que Martin Lawrence n'est décidément pas Eddie Murphy malgré toutes ses tentatives de grimaces, de tchatche et du couplet habituel sur le racisme larvé, déclaré, non déclaré et en quarantaine. Il s'agit donc d'un bien piètre "buddy movie" du "vivre_ensemble"ça fait penser aux 48 Heures sauf que Martin Lawrence n'est décidément pas Eddie Murphy malgré toutes ses tentatives de grimaces, de tchatche et du couplet habituel sur le racisme larvé, déclaré, non déclaré et en quarantaine. Il s'agit donc d'un bien piètre "buddy movie" du "vivre_ensemble" à l'humour gogol et aux gags hystéro-bouffons, une comédie à deux balles qui peut éventuellement faire sourire de façon fugace avant que l'on s'endorme devant la télé bien avant la fin de la pantalonnade.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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