National Security (2003) (2003)
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11% of critics liked it
(88 reviews) -
53% of users liked it
(67,621 ratings)
Adversaries become wary allies in this free-wheeling action comedy. Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn) is a Los Angeles Police Department officer who finds himself out of a job after he becomes involved in a violent altercation with police academy flunk-out Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), escalating into… More Adversaries become wary allies in this free-wheeling action comedy. Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn) is a Los Angeles Police Department officer who finds himself out of a job after he becomes involved in a violent altercation with police academy flunk-out Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), escalating into a media event which brings the LAPD a wealth of bad publicity. Unable to find work, Hank finally takes a job as a "rent-a-cop" with a private security firm -- and discovers to his annoyance that his new partner is Earl. While neither of them are thrilled to be working together on the lowest strata of the law enforcement community, the two find themselves dealing with bigger crime than they expected when they stumble across evidence of a elite smuggling network operated by criminal mastermind Nash (Eric Roberts). Hank and Earl want to put Nash out of business, and they try without success to persuade the police of the importance of the case. But before long they discover it's not just Nash's men who are after them, but two high-ranking LAPD officials, Lt. Washington (Bill Duke) and Detective McDuff (Colm Feore). National Security was directed by Dennis Dugan, who'd previously helmed antic comedies starring Adam Sandler and Chris Farley; this film also marked Martin Lawrence's entry into the elite of Hollywood's comedy stars, with Lawrence taking home a 20-million-dollar paycheck for his work on the picture. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Dennis Dugan
- Written By
- David Ronn, Jay Scherick
- Genres
- Action & Adventure, Comedy
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Jan 17, 2003 Wide
- Studio
- Sony Pictures
Critic Reviews
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Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
It's too bad Martin already made What's the Worst That Could Happen? The title really fits this one.
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Michael Miller, Village Voice
As the two cop manqués overcome their dearth of common sense to save the day, the film achieves a comic playfulness.
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Joe Leydon, Variety
Despite some tasty contributions from Lawrence and Zahn, too much of National Security has the bland flavor of microwaved leftovers.
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Bill Muller, Arizona Republic
Someone has to save us from Lawrence's onslaught of cinematic dross.
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Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News
A lame blend of comedy and action in which both credibility and laughs are blown to smithereens.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Martin Lawrence
as Earl Montgomery
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Steve Zahn
as Hank Rafferty
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Colm Feore
as Det. McDuff
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Bill Duke
as Lt. Washington
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Eric Roberts
as Nash
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Timothy Busfield
as Charlie Reed
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Robinne Lee
as Denise
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Matt McCoy
as Robert Barton
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Brett Cullen
as Heston
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Cleo King
as Woman in Car
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Stephen Tobolowsky
as Billy Narthax
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Joe Flaherty
as Owen Fergus
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Amy Aquino
as Councilwoman
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Mike Brady
as Smith
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Carl Ciarfalio
as Stanton
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Keith Cooke
as Ang
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Maia Danziger
as Jaguar Lady
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Hal Fishman
as Himself
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Troy M. Gilbert
as Cain
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Robert Harvey
as Cop at Impound Yard
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Benjamin Hernandez
as Detective
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Ken Lerner
as Hank's Lawyer
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Dawnn Lewis
as Woman at Impound Yard
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Mark Lonow
as Detective at Interrogation
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Richardson Morse
as Detective
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Anthony Schmidt
as Eddie
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Mickey Gilbert (II)
as Driving Instructor
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Jocko Marcellino
as Sarcastic Cop
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Terry Logan
as LAPD Cop
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Bruce Franklin Singer
as Training Facility Officer
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Hiep Thi Le
as McDuff's Secretary
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Mari Morrow
as Lola
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Daniel Sudick
as Training Facility Officer
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Jonathan Loughran
as Sarcastic Cop
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Noel Guglielmi
as Latino Convict
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Jackie Flynn
as Guard in Solitary
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Wayne Morse
as Bailiff
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Margaret Travolta
as Judge
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Bobby McLaughlin
as Ashcroft
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Greg Serano
as Carjacker
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Joe Bucaro III
as Bratton
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John Henry Binder
as Cop at Impound Yard
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Gerry Del Sol
as Booking Clerk
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Jeffrey Ross
as Security Guard
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Leslie Jones
as Trucker Woman
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Tom Forrest
as Obnoxious Guy
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Mike Grasso
as Training Cop
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Andy Dugan
as Student Driver
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Amanda Van Roberts
as Rich Lady
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Jeff Ross
as Security Guard
