Starsky and Hutch (March 4/04)

The prevailing problem with Starsky and Hutch - which is undeniably entertaining, but little else - is that both Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson are playing variations on characters they've cornered the market in. David Starsky is just the sort of uptight, anal retentive stick-in-the-mud that Stiller's has a lot of success with in films like Meet the Parents and Along Came Polly - while Wilson's Ken Hutchinson is reminiscent of virtually every character in the actor's repertoire (with few exceptions, including his rare dramatic performance in The Minus Man).

The movie is presumably quite faithful to the show, as it features the titular duo working a case involving a new scentless strain of cocaine. After a short segment featuring an angry captain (played by The Hammer himself, Fred Williamson) assigning the two mismatched cops to each other, Starsky and Hutch quickly get to work investigating a nefarious drug dealer named Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn). They turn to police informant Huggy Bear (Snoop Dogg) for help, while encountering various other quirky characters.

Starsky and Hutch's been directed by Todd Phillips, who also helmed Old School, and the two films are certainly on an equal plane in terms of laughs. Though there are a few chuckles to be had - mostly thanks to Vaughn's hilariously over-the-top performance - the film is curiously lacking in the guffaws department. Still, Phillips effectively establishes this '70s world to the point where it's not just a gimmick, though afros and hideous clothes are clearly on display. Along with cinematographer Barry Peterson and composer Theodore Shapiro, Phillips perfectly captures the essence of a made-in-the-'70s production.

Though Stiller and Wilson aren't showing us anything new here, there's no denying their chemistry with one another. They play well off each other, which is certainly the most important element in a buddy comedy like this one. Cameo appearances by familiar faces such as Chris Penn and Jason Bateman are a lot of fun, while Vaughn (yep, mentioning him again) steals all his scenes and makes it impossible not to wish the film were called Reese Feldman.

Starsky and Hutch is a breezy ride that no doubt will appeal to the same audience that loved Old School, but really, this is the kind of movie that's best enjoyed with lowered expectations.