An action farce that's on the stale side of banter-heavy cop high jinks.
National Security (2003)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:85
Fresh:10
Rotten:75
Average Rating:3.3/10
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.
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
Reviews for National Security
It's only a notch above the routine, and it obeys all the conventions of its tired formula, but it also tones the anarchy with a serious edge and it works a surprisingly effective vein of race-relations satire.
It's meant to wear down and demoralize critics who are about to launch into a whole new year of worthless buddy comedies.
National Security lacks the wit to do anything new and instead recycles tired jokes and attitudes.
Movies like National Security are indicative of how little creativity exists in most high-profile Hollywood offerings, and how little faith filmmakers have in the intelligence of multiplex audiences.
"National Security" is another in a string of indistinguishable dumb action comedies that would all run together in the mind of anyone unfortunate enough to watch them if they were not so instantly forgettable.
The mildly amusing buddy/action comedy is more over-the-top Lawrence fare.
The less you engage your brain, the more you'll enjoy National Security.
It's not really clear what's being stolen or why, but reason isn't as important to the screen writing team of Jay Scherick and David Ronn as getting to the next car chase.
[Zahn] looks perpetually on the verge of an aneurysm, relieved only by periodic slo-mo shootouts that set a new standard in post-Michael Bay preposterousness.
Your enjoyment of National Security will be in direct proportion to how much you can tolerate Martin Lawrence's antics.
I wouldn't race out to see National Security, but it does give you exactly what you'd expect: yuks, explosions and brawling buddies rolling all over those overused L.A. freeways.
A film that may not breach national security, but is an unfortunate breach of talent.
I'll give ten bucks to the first gypsy willing to curse anyone even suggesting a sequel.
Latest News for National Security
August 01, 2006:
Jessica Biel Invited to Kevin James & Adam Sandler's Wedding
Popular hottie Jessica Biel has signed on to co-star opposite Adam Sandler and Kevin James in the gay-marriage comedy "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry," in which... More...
January 03, 2006:
Trailer Bulletin: The Benchwarmers
Rob Schneider, David Spade, and Jon Heder will soon be teaming up for a sports comedy called "The Benchwarmers," as directed by the alarmingly consistent Dennis Dugan,... More...
November 15, 2005:
Trailer Bulletin: The Benchwarmers
Somebody out there decided it was high time for Rob Schneider, David Spade, and Jon Heder to star in a comedy together, so now comes "The Benchwarmers," a sports... More...
August 23, 2005:
Thurber Out; Robbins In as New "Norbit" Director
Filmmaker Brian Robbins has settled into the director's chair for the DreamWorks comedy "Norbit," taking a position that was (until recently) held by... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 83% 83% | Harry Potter and the H… |
| 67% 67% | Public Enemies |
| 75% 75% | Julie & Julia |
| 95% 95% | The Cove |
| 85% 85% | World's Greatest Dad |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- National Security at Rotten Tomatoes
- National Security at IGN
- National Security at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

