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National Security

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National Security (2003)

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17 %
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Reviews Counted:6

Fresh:1

Rotten:5

Average Rating:3.9/10

Consensus: The action in National Security is mindless, while the humor says nothing insightful about racial issues.

Runtime: 1 hr 33 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: In the hilarious, action-packed comedy National Security, Martin Lawrence (Earl Montgomery) stars as a cocky L.A. P.D. cadet who would probably be a great cop if he weren’t such a show-off. Earl’s... In the hilarious, action-packed comedy National Security, Martin Lawrence (Earl Montgomery) stars as a cocky L.A. P.D. cadet who would probably be a great cop if he weren’t such a show-off. Earl’s rebellious attitude gets him thrown out of the police academy and he has to settle for a job as a lowly security guard with "National Security."

After a run-in with an uptight police officer, Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), Earl accuses him of harassment. Hank loses his badge, is thrown into jail, and eventually winds up working for National Security as well.

Earl’s overzealous behavior leads to a sophisticated smuggling operation led by Nash (Eric Roberts) and a possible police cover-up.

Now everyone wants Earl and Hank dead – though they just may kill each other first.

Columbia Pictures presents An Outlaw/Intermedia/Firm Films Production, National Security starring Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn. Colm Feore, Bill Duke, Eric Roberts, Timothy Busfield and Robinne Lee co-star. The director is Dennis Dugan. The screenplay is written by Jay Scherick & David Ronn. Bobby Newmyer, Jeff Silver and Michael Green are the producers. Moritz Borman, Guy East, Nigel Sinclair and Martin Lawrence are the executive producers. Oliver Wood is the director of photography. Larry Fulton is the production designer. Debra Neil-Fisher, A.C.E, is the editor. April Ferry is the costume designer. The music is by Randy Edelman. The music supervision is by Michelle Kuznetsky and Mary Ramos.

National Security is rated PG-13 for violence, language and some sensuality. [More]

Starring: Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn, Eric Roberts, Bill Duke

Starring: Martin Lawrence, Steve Zahn, Eric Roberts, Bill Duke, Colm Feore, Timothy Busfield

Director: Dennis Dugan

Director: Dennis Dugan
Screenwriter: David Ronn, Jay Scherick
Producer: Michael Green, Jeffrey Silver, Bobby Newmeyer
Composer: Randy Edelman
Studio: Columbia Pictures

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Reviews for National Security

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1 - 7 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

This is a two-star movie dragged down a star because of its unrepentant racism.

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment 1 Comment
04/21/03
Alan Morrison
Alan Morrison
Empire Magazine
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N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
03/25/03
Guardian [UK]
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Is it a thoroughly offensive attempt to disguise a reactionary view of African-Americans as manipulative, self-serving, serial complainers as 'comedy'? Definitely.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
02/18/03
Jamie Russell
Jamie Russell
BBC
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Despite some tasty contributions from Lawrence and Zahn, too much of National Security has the bland flavor of microwaved leftovers.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
01/20/03
Joe Leydon
Joe Leydon
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Squanders the goodwill generated by some genuine laughs early in its running time with an inevitable descent into generic plotting, tired physical gags and lots and lots of things blowing up.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
01/17/03
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

National Security lacks the wit to do anything new and instead recycles tired jokes and attitudes.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/16/03
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
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A film that's both laugh out loud funny and surprisingly subtle.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
01/16/03
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
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