DVD Reviews

Caught in the Crossfire – DVD Review

By Jeff Swindoll Jul 22, 2010, 14:37 GMT

Two detectives investigating a gang-related crime find themselves targeted by both gang members and crooked cops. ...more

A derivative cop thriller is let down by predictability and some uneven performances.  

Detectives Briggs (Chris Klein) and Shepherd (Adam Rodriguez) are hot on the trail of the parties responsible for the murder of Briggs’ old partner and corrupt cops. 

Roads seem to be leading to drug informant Tino (Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who also serves as executive producer) but that in turn leads to a conspiracy within the police department. 

Tracking down that conspiracy will find the two detectives in the interrogation room when things go south and an unknown mastermind that knows far too much about the workings in the precinct.  

Chris Klein has been in the news lately and it’s probably publicity that he doesn’t want.  This June he was arrested for driving under the influence after being busted for the same in 2005.  I doubt he’s trying to develop a new bad boy screen persona after charming audiences with his goofy roles in the American Pie films. 

The actor, dubbed an up and coming star from those comedies, seems to have fallen on hard times as of late and is trying a different tack with Caught in the Crossfire, that of hardboiled police detective.  To some degree he succeeds in the beginning of the film, glowering and growling through the performance. 

We then get to the second part of the performance and things start to go south.  When he’s being interviewed by his superiors about the botched arrest he starts gurning and goes way over the top several times.  It’s not helped when later trying to figure out the mystery that his character starts talking to himself. 

That might not have been his fault as it could’ve been the screenwriter or director trying to obviously do some exposition.  I could see how the more seasoned pro would’ve found ways to show the audience without resorting to voiceover or speaking out loud.  Adam Rodriguez gives a more subtle performance and ends up coming off a bit better. 

50 Cent really amounts to a cameo (would that be two quarters then?).  The film is also nothing too original as it falls back on others from the genre and tries for a “Usual Suspects” ending that could be seen coming from a mile away.  Not exactly terrible, I’ve seen much worse, but it may warrant a rental for those interested.  

Caught in the Crossfire is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.78:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions.  Special features include 10 minutes of outtakes, the 2 minute theatrical trailer, and previews of other Lionsgate releases.  

Caught in the Crossfire poses some mystery that really isn’t so mysterious if you’ve seen similar films.  Chris Klein does give it a try, but his pretty boy looks still don’t fit for a grizzled detective and his over the top facial expressions don’t help matters.  

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