Showtime

Watch Showtime

"Lights. Camera. Aggravation."
  • PG-13
  • 2002
  • 1 hr 32 min
  • 5.5  (64,815)
  • 32

Showtime is a 2002 American action-comedy movie that stars Robert De Niro, Eddie Murphy, and Rene Russo. The movie is directed by Tom Dey, and it follows the story of two cops who are forced to participate in a reality TV show. Robert De Niro stars as Detective Mitch Preston, a veteran LAPD detective who doesn't like attention and prefers to work alone. Eddie Murphy plays Officer Trey Sellars, a patrol officer who dreams of becoming an actor. The two officers get tangled up in a reality TV show called "Showtime" after they accidentally foil a robbery while being filmed by a camera crew.

The TV show's executives think the footage of the officers is perfect for their show and convince the department to pair up the two cops to make a TV show about policing in LA. Despite their objections, the officers are contractually bound to participate in the reality show, much to their chagrin. Detective Preston sees this as a chance to retire early, while Officer Sellars sees it as his big break in show business.

The reality TV angle of Showtime allows for some fun gags as the camera crew follows the officers around on their daily patrols. Things get interesting when they start getting into more dangerous situations, and the producers push the cops further and further into the line of danger to get the footage they need. Meanwhile, the city's crime lord, played by Pedro Damian, sees the TV show as a perfect opportunity to plan a heist of epic proportions.

As the TV show progresses, Detective Preston and Officer Sellars form an uneasy partnership and struggle to navigate the balance between catching the bad guys and entertaining the TV audience. While they are pursuing the heist mastermind, they encounter several obstacles and have to use their skills and wits to bring the criminals to justice.

The chemistry between Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy is fantastic throughout the movie, with De Niro's no-nonsense, grizzled cop playing off Murphy's comedic timing perfectly. Rene Russo co-stars as Chase Renzi, a TV producer forced to keep the TV show on track and balance between the cops' duties and their obligation to please the audience.

The action sequences in Showtime are well choreographed and expertly executed. The mixture of slapstick comedy and high-octane action adds a level of unpredictability to the movie. The comedy sequences are laugh-out-loud funny, while the action sequences will have audiences on the edge of their seats.

The movie also explores the concept of the increasing prevalence of reality TV and the role of the media's influence on society. It highlights how the media can blur the line between entertainment and news and how ratings can be more important than the facts. The tension between the cops' obligation to serve and protect and their obligation to entertain, and the moral dilemma that comes with putting on a show for ratings, make the movie relevant even today.

Overall, Showtime is an entertaining movie that balances humor, action, and social commentary. It has a cast of likeable characters that audiences will root for, and the chemistry between De Niro and Murphy makes the movie an enjoyable and fun ride. It will have audiences laughing and on the edge of their seats until the final credits roll.

Showtime is a 2002 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.5 and a MetaScore of 32.

Showtime
Description
Where to Watch Showtime
Showtime is available to watch, stream, download and buy on demand at Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, YouTube VOD and Vudu. Some platforms allow you to rent Showtime for a limited time or purchase the movie and download it to your device.
  • Release Date
    2002
  • MPAA Rating
    PG-13
  • Runtime
    1 hr 32 min
  • Language
    English
  • IMDB Rating
    5.5  (64,815)
  • Metascore
    32