Featured Audience Ratings

• familiar s

  
  A cop flick that was neither boring nor interesting. The friendship of the protagonists hardly had anything new. The end is apparently (and most probably, intentionally) predictable due to its title.

• ♥˩ƳИИ &

  
  Ugh, so good!!! review soon...

• Dan S

  
  A riveting, hard-hitting look of two cops (Jake Gyllenhall, Michael Pena) and the random jobs they are assigned to on a daily basis in the dangerous LA area, and how young adulthood, family, and a good sense of humor keeps them grounded amongst the chaos of their work on the streets.… More
  A riveting, hard-hitting look of two cops (Jake Gyllenhall, Michael Pena) and the random jobs they are assigned to on a daily basis in the dangerous LA area, and how young adulthood, family, and a good sense of humor keeps them grounded amongst the chaos of their work on the streets. Without question one of the best cop dramas to come out in quite some time. While director David Ayer's track record is far from perfect (I still think "Training Day" is over-rated, and "Street Kings" is awful), he gets almost everything right here. Sure, some elements are a little Hollywood-ized and there are a couple plot holes, but Ayer's decision to film this with HD cameras and the "shaky-cam" shooting style gives this a realistic feel to it. The ending is heart-wrenching and tear-jerking, with both Gyllenhaal and Pena once again showing why they are two of the best young actors in the business, with each giving arguably their best performance of their careers. Not for all tastes, given the ugliness these guys stumble into given their line of work, but impossible not to be fascinated with how they attempt to handle it all. A near-great film, and one that should be seen.

• JY S

  
  The end doesn't come soon enough in David Ayer's <i>End of Watch</i>.<p>The film gets points for realism, but as far as the story is concerned, there isn't much in the way of flow. Watching cops "take down bad guys" for 100 minutes gets… More
  The end doesn't come soon enough in David Ayer's <i>End of Watch</i>.<p>The film gets points for realism, but as far as the story is concerned, there isn't much in the way of flow. Watching cops "take down bad guys" for 100 minutes gets tiresome and while the story tries to develop the main protagonists with family and emotion, it isn't effective enough to warrant huge cheers for them.</p><p>The realism of the dialogue is both a strength and a weakness. It fits well with the concept of the film and its hand held camera style, which is a hit or miss, but watching Mexican gangsters cursing on every other word is just plain annoying.</p><p>Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena put up some solid performances; however, it doesn't surpass the mediocrity of their characters.</p><p>In the end, <i>End of Watch</i> really lacks any entertainment value to be worth checking out.</p>

• Sunny D

  
  "End of Watch" is captivating and entertaining throughout, but it seems to lack an impactful meaning other than "being a cop kinda sucks." The characters don't make any noticeable arcs throughout the movie, and the ending could've used some work. Grade: C

• Daniel L

  
  End of Watch is a gritty police drama that soars thanks to the fantastic perfomances from the two leads and intense action sequences.

• Idrees K

  
  Interesting film that displays the difficulties and nuances of being a successful police officer in high crime regions.

• Kase V

  
  'End of Watch' is a brilliantly executed cop drama that is as enticing as it is unrelenting. A quick pace makes the film kinetic and never loses your attention. The real props however, go to the two leads in Gyllenhaal and Pena, who establish wonderful character development… More
  'End of Watch' is a brilliantly executed cop drama that is as enticing as it is unrelenting. A quick pace makes the film kinetic and never loses your attention. The real props however, go to the two leads in Gyllenhaal and Pena, who establish wonderful character development along the chaotic ride. Their banter and build up bring us to an unflinching climax that shows no remorse. In fact, nothing about the film is remorseful. This is pure, unadulterated chaos, shoveled into one to make one of the best cop films you'll see in recent years.

• Mister C

  
  Some fiction movies knock politely on the door to gain attention,others just kick it in. David Ayer's "End of Watch" is even more assaultive than his best known previous film as screenwriter,who was best known for penning the Oscar winning "Training Day". This… More
  Some fiction movies knock politely on the door to gain attention,others just kick it in. David Ayer's "End of Watch" is even more assaultive than his best known previous film as screenwriter,who was best known for penning the Oscar winning "Training Day". This "day in the life" cop drama presents law enforcement in South Central Los Angeles as an extreme blood sport. The only difference: no one knows from minute to minute who is the quarry,who is the hunter. Lots of people get blown away. In one of the most graphic scenes ever committed to celluloid a cop squats on a sidewalk with a knife stuck in his eye, and from just I explain there is more to come within this graphically intense and sometimes brutally violent cop drama. The nearly non-stop handheld camera,now standing for patrol cop Jake Gyllenhaal's personal camcorder,now just giddying our point of view,would seem a verismo action thriller cliche without this film's honorable humanizing endeavors. In their cop car Gyllenhaal and his partner Michael Pena,swear, jabber, and horseplay;after hours they patch together their fallible home lives. Each is on the brink of marriage or fatherhood. In the bloody noon of their day they stumble on drugs,deaths,a house full of human traffic captives,another house full of dismembered body parts...not to mention dealing with an intense battle sequence with violent drug cartels. Though we doubt the scene near the end where they run into an apartment block and improbably escape a staccato of machine-gun fire;we doubt for a second what follows is a cool and grisly face off between recognized helpnessless(theirs)and goonishly exultant brutality(the baddies that ranged between local gang bangers and dealing with the violent Mexican cartels and rival gangs) that results in one of the most intense and graphically stylish police thrillers in recent memory and "End of Watch" definitely stands out as the best of 2012 has to offer.

• Michael S

  
  Now here's a film that flew under my radar, only to become one of the standouts of 2012. Writer/ Director David Ayer has been responsible for some solid cop movies before (Training Day, Street Kings, Dark Blue), but "End of Watch" infinitely surpasses them, standing toe… More
  Now here's a film that flew under my radar, only to become one of the standouts of 2012. Writer/ Director David Ayer has been responsible for some solid cop movies before (Training Day, Street Kings, Dark Blue), but "End of Watch" infinitely surpasses them, standing toe to toe with some of the all-time best of the genre. Aside from the kinetic energy and cinematography, assured direction, at times shocking brutality and award-worthy screenplay, what elevates "End of Watch" is the career best performances from Jake Gyllenhaal and especially (the Oscar snubbed) Michael Peña. They give the film surprising heart, and we buy their relationship and workplace motivations. Uncommonly gripping film heightened by visceral action and a powerful conclusion.

• Matt G

  
  Michael Peña and Jake Gyllenhaal were snubbed of Oscar nominations and David Ayer for his brilliant screenplay!

• Julie B

  
  The chemistry between the two leads was great. Still pretty sure I don't want to be a cop.

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] End of Watch makes a massively ambitious and very rewarding attempt to portray how brutal the lives of the LAPD can get whilst simultaneously edging in some cop movie melodrama. It succeeds, and the result is… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] End of Watch makes a massively ambitious and very rewarding attempt to portray how brutal the lives of the LAPD can get whilst simultaneously edging in some cop movie melodrama. It succeeds, and the result is one of the best cop movies in years. A little melodrama can go a long way, and sucking up to clichés is definitely not what David Ayer was attempting to do with this film. His focus is on the characters at the center of all the action, and Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña are absolutely brilliant at fleshing out the sense of realism in the characters whilst at the same time making them more likable than previously portrayed characters in buddy cop films. The conversations they both share generally consists of banter and the discussion of their daily lives. But when they are thrown into life and death situations the tension is then cranked up to it's highest because we grow attatched to them. Basically, the script is fantastic. The storyline is fairly generic, however this is the point. I've heard bad things about the plot of the film but I think it truly deserves to indulge in it's simplicity. I think here Jake Gyllenhaal is at his strongest since Brokeback Mountain and Michael Peña takes a genuine turning point in his career. I always find that he's never bad. If he's in a bad movie, his performance is nevertheless anything but lazy. The cinematography is fantastic and the pacing is absolutely perfect. It's deadly serious tone is never misjudged by it's ruthless violence and down right funny tongue in cheek sense of humour. It's well directed, intriguing, touching and highly entertaining. I suspect Oscar nominations if not wins. Gritty, realistic, and skilfully executed behind and on camera, David Ayer just might have made his masterpiece. A heartfelt and touching homage to the LAPD, that in his previous films he has gone on to criticise in ways that are only matched by the compassion he shows for them within this great film.

• Phil H

  
  Remember the old US TV cop show 'Chips'? well never mind cos this ain't nothing like that lol!. From the films poster you can tell this is a badass cops, drugs and guns drama which will no doubt have lots of profanity and gangbangin involved. Profanity you say? check!,… More
  Remember the old US TV cop show 'Chips'? well never mind cos this ain't nothing like that lol!. From the films poster you can tell this is a badass cops, drugs and guns drama which will no doubt have lots of profanity and gangbangin involved. Profanity you say? check!, holy assburgers there is tonnes of it, a possible record breaker here folks. Aside from that the film is actually pretty good and did keep me interested throughout. The plot is basically about the lives of two LA cops going about their daily lives and err that's it. Not only do we get the bad side of being a cop, naturally, we also see the odd perks and how these guys get along together both on the beat and personally. The whole film is made in a hands on/handheld cam style which we all know about mainly from a few alien and horror flicks. At first it does feel as if its a documentary style and there is a cameraman with the two officers but we find out Gyllenhaal's character is doing some of the filming himself for his own personal project. So the look moves from a police pov to a handheld cam style as if someone else was there with the cops filming. Visuals are of course rugged, real and at times hectic when the officers burst into action or come under fire. It does add a thrill to the film and gives the whole thing a sharper edge, it basically feels like you're watching one of those real cop TV shows with real footage. Naturally the family side of the story isn't really very interesting and I did find myself yearning for them to get back on the beat. Pregnant wives and relationships zzzzzzz...more door bashing drug/weapon raids please. On the whole the plot does feel somewhat jumbled and as if its going nowhere but towards the end it does meld together. Unfortunately the ending disappointed me, the cops come under heavy fire from a gang so they go on the run. As they escape they take down two vehicles driven by gangsters, now at this point I instantly thought the pair should jump in one of these criminals cars and drive off to safety. Whilst there they could also have grabbed one of the dead criminals weapons for extra protection seeing as all they have is handguns low on ammo. But no! they don't do either and just remain on foot trying to outrun or dodge their way clear through alleys. Now surely common sense would dictate what I suggested no? maybe that's just me, the bad guys expire in a pretty weak cliched way too. Bit of an anti climax that lets the rest of the film down if you ask me. On the whole the film is decent with great performances from the two leads. You really do think you're watching a cop TV show, all that's missing is that stupid intense voice narrating everything hehe. The only down side is, as an Englishman looking on, the film doesn't really put black Americans or Hispanic/Mexican Americans living in LA, in a very good light. Kinda puts you off going anywhere near the city limits, but I guess you could say kudos to the actors and director for making me feel that way, the film made its presence known.

• Manu G

  
  Every moment of your life they stand watch. Great Film! In terms of subject matter this film doesn't cover anything really different. Its about cops dealing with their issues at home and on the job. This topic has been covered countless times but what makes End Of Watch… More
  Every moment of your life they stand watch. Great Film! In terms of subject matter this film doesn't cover anything really different. Its about cops dealing with their issues at home and on the job. This topic has been covered countless times but what makes End Of Watch different and better then many of its predecessors is that it holds realism as its number one priority. This is one of the most realistic portrayals of police life ever put to celluloid. The day to day lives of these two best friends are shown in a format that is both convincing and horrifying. It doesn't flinch away when showing the disturbing aspects of this high pressure career. Gyllenhaal and Peña provide us with two highly believable characters and their chemistry is palpable. Whether they're talking about the women in their lives or having a friendly argument about racial stereotypes, these two actors ensure that we stick with their characters through every step of the way. Gyllenhaal continues to solidify himself as one of the best actors around and Peña delivers one of his best performances to date. It's got a great script and a focused story that is handled confidently and told well. David Ayer has crafted an intense, hard hitting drama that benefits from the two excellent performances by the two leads. Two young officers are marked for death after confiscating a small cache of money and firearms from the members of a notorious cartel, during a routine traffic stop.

• Everett J

  
  When I was watching this I kept thinking, "man this is like "Training Day". Afterwards, I find out that each movie had that the same writer, which is not a bad thing. "End of Watch" is a movie chronicling the lives of to cops who stumble upon some bad stuff,… More
  When I was watching this I kept thinking, "man this is like "Training Day". Afterwards, I find out that each movie had that the same writer, which is not a bad thing. "End of Watch" is a movie chronicling the lives of to cops who stumble upon some bad stuff, making them targets of a drug cartel. The two cops are played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Pena. Both of them are amazing and have tremendous chemistry as best friends. It's great to see a movie about good cops, instead of one good and one bad. Here, they are both good and best friends. It's an interesting and fresh take on cop movies. The action is great, and this movie keeps you glued to the screen. You never really know what is about to happen, and it really keeps you on your toes. There were a couple scenes where I was like "wtf!?" Pena got a nomination for a Spirit Award, and I think he deserves it and probably an Oscar nod as well. Great movie and well worth the watch if your into good action thrillers.

• Mike S

  
  Gang wars, human trafficking, houses on fire. David Ayer's latest cop thriller, which is his third straight feature set in the blood-stained streets of Los Angeles, sure manages to cover a lot of ground. Ayer, who is also the creative force behind the screenplay for… More
  Gang wars, human trafficking, houses on fire. David Ayer's latest cop thriller, which is his third straight feature set in the blood-stained streets of Los Angeles, sure manages to cover a lot of ground. Ayer, who is also the creative force behind the screenplay for <i>Training Day</i>, has clearly made a niche in this part of the world and knows it like the back of his hand. Where his earlier work was merely serviceable, however, <i>End of Watch</i> kicks things up a notch and joins the major league of ghetto-centered crime dramas. Anyone who has seen <i>COPS</i>, will immediately draw parallels to the show, as the film is shot in documentary-like fashion with handheld cameras and first-person perspectives. These are operated by enforcers of the law, as well those on the other side of it. Primarily though, we follow Brian and Mike - two young officers in the LAPD, who is also best friends outside the job and a big part of each other's family lives. Toughened by their daily routines in the rough neighborhoods of L.A, they're fearless, quick on their toes and display a jaunty, if somewhat juvenile rapport in the moments between each mission. Things really start to heat up though, when they unknowingly bust a member of a notoriously dangerous drug cartel - an act which puts them on the radar of some seriously formidable, top-stratum thugs. Their lives at more risk than ever, they must now go handguns against AK-47's, badges against bling, in a raw, explosive and highly engaging conflict between two of LAPD's finest and the scum of organized crime. Intimate in exposition - viscerally as well as technically - the format may be low-budget, but nevertheless dramatically cogent. Although the likelihood of all present parties carrying around video camera seems less than scarce, the outstanding acting (particularily by Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña as Brian and Mike) cancels out its few errors. Some may get annoyed by the shaky cam, but I think the use is justified here and adds tremendously to the sense of realism. If anything, 23 consecutive years of <i>COPS</i> ought to be proof enough of its durability. Humorous aspects bestow the story with a certain a "buddy comedy" flavor, which in turn creates breathing room that holds it in good balance. Not that I ever belly-laughed, but it's nice with some comic relief now and then, given the severity of the dramatic bits. Fast-paced and thoroughly engaging, it hits you at point blank range and keeps interest ever high. Having said that, I'm more than excited about Ayer's next project, which will involve the king of all one-liners, the retirement-defying Arnold Schwarzenegger. Because say what you will about the credibility of this film, but it's a top notch cop thriller and one of the best I've seen in years. Well-made and compelling, and just what the genre needed in the war on uniformed banality. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Movie-Reviews/281824101875153?ref=hl

• Mark W

  
  David Ayer certainly seems to know his way around South Central Los Angeles: He delivered the screenplay to the Oscar winning "Training Day" in 2001 before making his directorial debut, four years later, with "Harsh Times". The James Ellroy adaptation "Street… More
  David Ayer certainly seems to know his way around South Central Los Angeles: He delivered the screenplay to the Oscar winning "Training Day" in 2001 before making his directorial debut, four years later, with "Harsh Times". The James Ellroy adaptation "Street Kings" followed, and with his latest being yet another foray into those crime-ridden L.A. ghettos this is confirmation of Ayer's comfort zone. L.A. cops Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala (Michael Peña) routinely patrol the streets and neighbourhoods of South Central. These guys aren't just partners but good friends and they both take their jobs very seriously. It's the strong bond between them that allow them to effectively deal with life threatening situations every day. But through their absolute commitment to their work, they discover a violent drugs cartel that puts both their lives in danger. Anyone familiar with the aforementioned films that Ayer has been involved in, will know that he has a propensity to focus a lot on the interplay of his characters; mainly this is done in the car, allowing the audience to get a closer proximity to the back and forth banter and camaraderie. Where this film differs though, is in the use of a found footage/steady-cam approach. This particular style may be wearing thin with a lot of people (myself included) but for the most part, it works here. Following a couple of cops on the beat adds another angle to the sub-genre that's not been explored yet and taps into the voyeuristic nature of the reality tv shows that we're bombarded with these days. I've never really been a fan of these neo-fascist, propaganda shows that depict the police carrying out their duties but sometimes they can be intriguing and many find them very appealing. However, Ayer is smart enough not to rely solely on this 'reality' approach; he intercuts it with wide-angles whenever the documentary vibe is unsuitable, which gives a good overall balance to the action. That being said, the film does suffer periodic lulls and falls prey to cliche with underwritten and stereotypical gangsters but it's the rapport between Gyllenhaal and Peña that keep the film interesting and involving. Both deliver solid performances and their exchanges of dialogue are entirely believable and, at times, genuinely humorous. The steady-cam now makes it's way into the mainstream with some financial backing and familiar faces involved. It may irritate some but ultimately adds a sense of realism that's required for the material. Once you accept the conceit, the rest is an intense, visceral and action filled movie.

• Carlos M

  
  It takes a very incompetent director to be this incapable of using the (clichéd) subjective camera in a minimally coherent way - and Ayer also sinks his decent plot with inconsistencies and a pathetic ending that even includes a useless epilogue.

• Thomas B

  
  Funny and realistic with some great action scenes. Full review later.

Read all 20 featured audience ratings