Movie Review: R.I.P.D.

I and my friend, Thomas Chick of The Fellowship of the Geeks, filled the seats at Studio Movie Grill this week for R.I.P.D. (REST IN PEACE DEPARTMENT). Les is on assignment (vacation) at San Diego Comic Con.

JEFF BRIDGES and RYAN REYNOLDS headline the 3D supernatural action-adventure R.I.P.D. as two cops dispatched by the otherworldly Rest In Peace Department to protect and serve the living from an increasingly destructive array of creatures who refuse to move peacefully into the afterlife. ~www.RIPD.com

At first look, I have to say that I was amused at the premise of the movie and especially at the fact that Jeff Bridges was attached. I am ashamed to say that I made jokes about how this was nothing but Rooster Cogburn in the 21st century. Needless to say, I really enjoyed this movie.

The movie jumps pretty quickly into the action and there is only one moment that it tends to slow down, but it’s not for very long. From the beginning action shot, CGI is handled pretty well. There are a few moments when something does look weird, but that can’t be helped when your dealing with things that look weird already. The main scene where Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) gets killed is awesome as they freeze all the action and let him walk through it. Great eye candy.

The comedy is awesome as Nick and Roy (Jeff Bridges), Roycephus Pulsifer, nyah-nyah back and forth at each other. Nick tries to come to terms with his demise and the limits that are imposed upon him and Roy just doesn’t seem to know when to shut up. Ultimately, they learn to trust each other and become partners, but it’s that repartee that endears you to the characters. Plus, I enjoyed the glee that Roy exhibited when chasing the bad guys. It will have you giggling as you listen to him.

Kevin Bacon as Bobby Hayes is pretty evil as the bad cop, but you find he’s got just a little more than that to make him bad. Bacon has been doing more bad guys lately and seems to be pretty good at it. Mary-Louise Parker as Proctor is a great character and you’ll find that her and Roy have other “things” going on. I never thought I would like a woman in go-go boots, but she’s very easy on the eyes in her uniform.

Except for a few plot points that didn’t get covered, this movie is a lot of fun. It shies away from ideas in the graphic novel that it’s based on, but it’s not enough to make the movie unwatchable. One thing that I would have liked was more face-time for James Hong as Nick’s Avatar and  Marisa Miller as Roy’s Avatar. I thought there was a lot more room to see them. Overall, I liked R.I.P.D. as did my movie buddy, so it’s a safe bet that you will, too.

If you’ve seen it, let me know what you thought! If you aren’t interested, what about it doesn’t float your boat?