Cop Land

The screenwriter and director in one failed to fully exploit the potential of a pretty decent theme and a stellar cast, but I really enjoyed watching those young men :-) It's a real shame that James Mangold couldn't get more out of this theme. Had he been able to do that, it would have been a very decent four-star thriller. (25.04.2020)

When I look at Stallone's filmography and ego, it strikes me quite a bit that he went into a movie where he isn't ultimately the biggest tough guy. But all the more refreshing for me was watching Cop Land, and even with the passage of time despite the truly outstanding cast (De Niro and Keitel are absolutely top!), it's not a genre top pick, still, by today's standards, it remains an above-average seven. (04.12.2020)

Sly looks good here with his beer belly, but that doesn’t make him a character actor, though at least he tries and I had no problem believing him in the role of an honest cop. Some of the great actors alongside him, on the other hand, don't try very hard, acting giant De Niro's performance is not very good. The story, corruption in the ranks of the police, is nothing original, nothing I haven't seen countless times in other films. Still, I can't say that I was bored, also thanks to the well-crafted conclusion. Mangold was just cutting his teeth in his second directorial venture, but even that was enough for a fairly pleasant movie. (28.09.2003)

Despite all those stars, it’s nothing but average. I don't understand De Niro's participation at all, his role was terribly bland and quite unnecessary in the overall context. The only ones who stand out are, surprisingly, Stallone as the sheriff, and Keitel as the corrupt cop. The film's attempt at some character psychology deserves praise, as well as the fact that it doesn't play at being more than what it really is, and that it doesn’t throw any shocking twists or big action set-pieces. It's just another American fairytale of good guys versus bad guys, of which many have been made, and much better and more entertaining. 60% (02.02.2013)

A solid detective film from the turn of the millennium with an absolutely stellar cast. Such a star-studded lineup is rare, each name a big deal. It’s a bit disappointing, though, that the story is quite linear with few plot twists to surprise the viewer. However, James Mangold's steady directorial hand is evident throughout the film; I’d be lying if I said otherwise. As mentioned, the script isn’t among the most intricate, but it has a coherent storyline. As for the characters, Stallone, with his down-to-earth portrayal of a sheriff from suburban New Jersey, truly shined and demonstrated that he always has something to offer as an actor. Harvey Keitel was also excellent, and Ray Liotta was a pleasure to watch. Personally, I would have given De Niro, as an icon, a larger role; his internal affairs investigator didn’t get much opportunity to stand out. All in all, it’s a respectable old-school crime film. I give it 7/10. (01.07.2022)