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Released on June 28, 2013 - this action comedy film from director Paul Feig was a massive
hit over the summer, grossing $228 million against its $43 million dollar budget. Sandra
Bullock stars as a straight-edged FBI officer opposite Hollywood's latest "it girl", Melissa
McCarthy as a crude, but effective local Boston cop who are tasked with taking down a generic
drug lord. This duo is a perfect pairing, and their hilarious on-screen chemistry effectively
marginalizes the inconsequential and lackluster R-rated plot. The 117-minute experience is
formulaic, tired, and unoriginal... but its the fantastic jokes and gags between the two
leading ladies that makes everything work, like when McCarthy attempts to give Bullock
an "undercover cop"-style maker, humorously remarking, "My fear is that I'm gonna put
you in a bikini and you'll still look like a bank teller." The extremely vulgar McCarthy
provides the majority of the laughs, as her less-than-subtle approach to interrogations
often clashes with Bullock's more traditional thinking. The film's tunnel-vision like focus
on this relationship isn't a surprise though, when the picture was originally shopped around,
it was simply named, "untitled female buddy-cop comedy", and indeed - it's the first female
law enforcement movie in 25 years. Contributing some decent performances, the massive supporting
cast includes familiar faces like, Demián Bichir, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport, Jane
Curtin, Taran Killiam, Michael McDonald, Tom Wilson, Tony Hale, and Nate Corddry; with
really utilized beyond a single scene or two. Although, I must say: it was a treat to see
the veteran bully from "Back To The Future" in a major release again. Besides the movie
running about 15 minutes too long, the visuals and music in this picture were far from noteworthy...
I literally have nothing to say about them, positive or negative. This is a simple, believable,
and predictable film, but Melissa and Sandra make you forget about all of that, resulting
in a particularly fun time if you keep your expectations in check. Without spoiling much,
the narrative's conclusion lends itself to a possible sequel - however, Bullock hasn't
had much luck in that department, and is hesitant to return. That said, I honestly wouldn't
mind seeing the loud-mouth paired up alongside the Oscar winner again. "The Heat", "Undeniably
great humor between characters." Now let's see what you had to say in the YouTube comments.
Opinions were mixed on this one, but here's the final arbitrator of it all, the rate-o-matic...
with two SEVENs for "The Heat". While some called it downright boring, and others said
it was the best of the year: praise was unanimous for the ladies' chemistry; your ratings averaged
to a COOL. Despite some pacing, and story issues... I, too was enraptured by the picture's
charismatic duo, I thought the film was COOL.