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Los Angeles detective Robert DeNiro and silly beat cop Eddie Murphy get partnered together in "Showtime", a funny, but honestly mediocre buddy comedy. It is modern-day L.A. and an undercover assignment has gone wrong for DeNiro. Murphy botched the whole thing unwittingly by calling for backup and not knowing that a sting was taking place. DeNiro destroys a camera and a $10 million lawsuit quickly follows. For the department to get out of the lawsuit, they agree to team DeNiro and Murphy up for a reality-based cop show. Rene Russo is the sleazy producer and ham William Shatner plays himself as he directs the odd duo. Murphy naturally has always had dreams of stardom while DeNiro is as serious as a heart attack. Thus their relationship is strained to put it mildly. Soon they end up going after criminal Pedro Damian who seemingly has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal. There is not much thought in "Showtime". It is typical Eddie Murphy fare as it is a production to show off his unique comedic timing. DeNiro has also become a comedy regular the last several years (unfortunately in my opinion) and he too shows an uncanny ability to add humor to his natural edginess. Overall though the movie plays like a long sitcom or an episode of "Saturday Night Live" as everything seems way too scripted. There is no real drama here, just cheap laughs. In the end those minor laughs make "Showtime" viewable, but not memorable. 2.5 out of 5 stars.
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