Photo: Open Road Films
While cop movies are one of the most beloved and fruitful sub genres, on the level with somewhat opposite heist movies, there aren’t that many that depict the challenges of the regular patrolmen, men in uniforms. Most likely because there is a more negative feeling towards them in society, unlike for detectives, which also have more intriguing, mysterious jobs. But that doesn’t mean that there are no cop movies that are about the boys in blue, the patrolmen, the dusters, or however you’d like to call the ground troops of law enforcment.
So no plain clothes, generic suits or tight black t-shirts in this list of cop movies, it’s only about the men and women in uniforms.
End of Watch (2012)
Surely the best of the cop movies about patrolmen, and even though it doesn’t just depict a usual everyday routine and goes pretty spectacular, global news-worthy at moments, it still feels highly realistic due to the documentary/POV style of directing. Jake Gyllenhaal and Michael Peña have an amazing chemistry, which also sells the movie, providing with a lot of comedic moments in what is also a brutal, dirty, cartel crime movie. With the End of Watch you will be feeling like you are on actual ride along and after watching it you’ll have a greater respect for the profession.
Hot Fuzz (2007)
There are several working directors that have a very distinctive, unusual style of filmmaking, and Edgar Wright is one of them, and one that still manages to be fresh in all of his movies. Hot Fuzz is the second film in his Cornetto trilogy, and a very rich, diverse movie despite primarily being a comedy. A highly skilled London police officer Nicholas Angel is transferred to the safest village in England, and when people start dying the Angel realizes that he still will have action and mystery at his new post.
Super Troopers (2001)
This cop movies list is filled with comedies as most other police movies go in the undercover, detective mode even if the main characters are street-level police officers. A truly wild comedy movie, Super Troopers manages to be surprising no matter how long into watching it you are, which is a rare and important feat. A comedy about a group of downright insane state troopers, so not cops semantically, but a great watch nonetheless and they do face against proper boys in blue.
Colors (1988)
A true patrolmen cop movie, as it revolves about two new partners trying to minimalize the effect of gang wars on the community. An underseen movie with a pretty strong lead duo in Sean Penn and Robert Duvall, also directed by the Hollywood veteran Dennis Hopper. The mixture of a veteran and a rookie cop gives the movie great dynamic, the actors showcase their talent, and the movie was really relevant at the time seeing the impact wars between Crips and Bloods had back then.
Let’s Be Cops (2014)
Somehow, cop movie comedy trope is the most present in movies about uniformed cops, and the duo from the TV show New Girl, Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr., transfer their comedic chemistry to this modern comedy. Not a movie about real cops, as the two regular dudes go overboard with their make-belief, it still is a fun depiction of uniformed cops. But an outrageous, hilarious and continuously entertaining. Jokes in the movie are very memorable and quotable, the action and plot are on a surprisingly high level and there are some satisfying, surprising casting choices.
What do you think about these cop movies? Do the serious ones actually represent the life the men and women in uniforms lead in their patrol cars?
