In 1997, Eddie Murphy was still the comedy king who could draw audiences to theaters, but 'Metro' is not his most standout work. The film blends action, comedy, and crime, telling the story of Scott Roper, a smooth-talking hostage negotiator who must team up with a hotshot young cop to save his girlfriend from a psychopathic villain. This review will explore whether the film is still worth watching today.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
Scott Roper (Eddie Murphy) is a skilled and unique hostage negotiator who often uses words and tricks instead of force to rescue hostages. One day, he is assigned to mentor Kevin McCall (Michael Rapaport), a reckless rookie cop. The two must work together despite their clashes. But when Scott's girlfriend is kidnapped by Eagle (Michael Winer), a psychopathic criminal, Scott must use all his negotiation skills to save her while teaching Kevin the importance of caution.
Acting and Characters
Eddie Murphy still has his sharp comedic charm, especially in scenes where he negotiates with criminals. However, the role of a hostage negotiator is written as somewhat unconvincing, as he often acts on emotion rather than reason. Michael Rapaport does a good job as the hotshot cop who gradually matures. Michael Winer plays the villain with enough menace but lacks depth, making the antagonist somewhat bland.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Thomas Carter, an experienced director from television, handles the film professionally, especially the action scenes which are thrilling. The San Francisco locations are well utilized, with chase and fight scenes that fit well. The score by Steve Porcaro (from Toto) effectively enhances the mood, but overall the cinematography and music are not particularly outstanding. The film clearly carries a 90s vibe.
Editorial Analysis
The editorial team views 'Metro' as a film that tries to blend Eddie Murphy's comedy with a tense story, but it doesn't quite gel. The script has several plot holes, especially the protagonist, a negotiator, doing many illogical things. However, the film still has the charm of Eddie Murphy in his prime and decent action scenes. For die-hard fans of the actor, the jokes and his performance may be enjoyable, but if you expect a realistic or sophisticated cop movie, you may be disappointed.
Verdict
Metro is a passable action-comedy that you can watch casually, but it's not a must-see unless you're a hardcore Eddie Murphy fan. It's suitable for those who want a light 90s-style film without overthinking. But if you're looking for a intense and realistic cop movie, you might want to look elsewhere.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Eddie Murphy's performance is still charming and funny
- +Good chemistry between Eddie Murphy and Michael Rapaport
- +Action and chase scenes are thrilling
👎 Cons
- −Script has plot holes and lacks logic in several places
- −Villain lacks depth and clear motivation
- −Story follows a formulaic path with nothing new
Top Cast
FAQ
It's the story of Scott Roper, a San Francisco police hostage negotiator, who must save his girlfriend from a psychopathic criminal while mentoring a hotshot rookie cop.
It's enjoyable to some extent, especially if you're an Eddie Murphy fan. The film has decent jokes and action, but the script may be illogical and the villain bland.
Only one. No sequels were made.
