(3.5 out of 5 stars)

Fox Searchlights produced this movie starring Keanu Reeves with supporting actors Forrest Whitaker, Hugh Laurie, Chris Evans, Common, The Game, Cedric the Entertainer and Jay Mohr. And being more of an independent film must be why this movie got very little attention and it’s sad because this is a good movie.

Is it as gritty as Training Day? No. But seriously, what movie would be? Is it as epic as The Departed? No. Where A-list actors were used in that movie, Street Kings enlists big actors, but mostly those on the B and C-list. And Street Kings is not epic in any way, but it does provide a convincing story of a cop somewhat like Denzel Washington’s in Training Day who takes matters into his own hands, but in Reeves’ case, is not totally doing anything obviously illegal (which could probably be debated). The addition to this story is where The Departed comparisons come in as Reeves finds out that the police department he has worked with for years is corrupted beyond belief.

Is Keanu as good as Denzel or Jack, Leo or Matt? No. But you aren’t watching Street Kings to see an Oscar winning drama. You are watching it because you are looking for an entertaining movie with a good story, believable characters dealing with the subject of police corruption. I feel like this movie is the “little engine that could” that ran out of steam back when it made just over $26 million at the box office, but I am pulling for it to make some bucks back in DVD rentals. The movie was only in 2,467 theaters for two weeks in the spring. (Most big movies are in at least 4,000 theaters).

So, I suppose I should address what this movie is lacking since it does not compare to Training Day or The Departed. The acting is average. Forrest Whitaker generically and sometimes overacts his police chief character. Keanu actually does fine, so much better than his crazy Matrix movies. And then there is Chris Evans who feels miscast, but Hugh Laurie who is great as … well… ok, so I never could figure out what police department or section of the department he worked for. The rappers did fine as thugs, and Jay Mohr was lame along with Amaury Nolasco (Prison Break) and John Corbett. They were your typical lame cops likely in on something dirty just because of how lame they are. That makes the movie a bit predictable, but that does not make it any less interesting and entertaining.

The darkness, the grittiness and the compelling story makes Street Kings one to watch for sure on DVD. The story keeps you guessing a little as it weaves it story from character to character and gives us a bit of a murder mystery within its corruption and hero story. Bottom line; watch it! The production company obviously did not back it and who the hell knows what the critics were thinking. Reeves’ character should go after those corrupt critics that were trying to trash Reeves’ career only to stuff their own pocketbooks. Maybe then he could become the Street King of Hollywood denouncing those foolish critics forever.