Really Surprised!

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Friday (Dan Ackroyd) is the son of a famous detective and, now, he continues detecting in the family tradition. He has the same monotone, just the facts mantra, and conservative dress as his dad. His longtime partner moves away so he is paired with a new one, Streebek (Tom Hanks) who shows up with long hair and a flashy outfit. No, no, no, that's not gonna work. Before long, Streebek is looking VERY similar to Friday. But, his mode of operation is not the same and won't ever be. In the City of Angels at this time, a group calling itself PAGAN is stealing vehicles, setting fires, and leaving calling cards. Meanwhile, a stuffy minister Wurley (Christopher Plummer) and a playboy type (Dabney Coleman) are at odds over the place each has in society. Also, police commissioner (Elizabeth Ashley) has a "close" relationship with Wurley, who has big secrets unknown to her. As Friday and Streebek hunt down PAGAN, rescue ladies, encounter strippers, tangle with anacondas, and drive like maniacs, will they get the job done? Let me first say, I love Ackroyd and Hanks and they are not the problem here, for they try hard. Plummer does great, as he is totally unlikeable as written, and the rest of the cast are okay, too. Its the script, stupid, that's really kind of a drag, for the adventures of these two detectives are, many times, offensive. As the movie sets out to really spoof the original Dragnet television show, it might have been better to come closer to the Jack Webb version. If you like the two stars, and most viewers do, take a chance if you wish. But don't expect to be entertained in grand fashion.

Sgt. Joe Friday (Aykroyd) is back in action and this time he's after more than just to solve a crime - he wants "just the laughs, ma'am". This time Sgt. Friday has a partner that is just as funny as he is Det. Pep Streebek (Hanks).Dragnet has a great story and quite a few great jokes in it. This movie is not a spoof of the original TV series Dragnet, instead it is a movie based on the TV show but with the added element of good comedy.If you enjoyed the movie Dragnet then you might like other crazy cops (or spies) type of films such as "Spies Like Us", "Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid", "Police Academy" "Turner and Hooch" or "The Naked Gun".9/10

Dan Aykroyd does an hilarious take-off of the late Jack Webb's Sgt. Joe Friday in this 1987 film. With that straight face along with everything being straight by the book, Aykroyd is fabulous here. He is equally matched with a perfect foil partner in a very youthful Tom Hanks.The premise may not be all that funny but there are hilarious chase scenes and wonderful performances by Christopher Plummer, as a priest, who is really a maniacal thief along with Dabney Coleman and Elizabeth Ashley, the latter a crooked Police Lady Commissioner.Friday finds love and finally breaks down somewhat from his rigidity. Plummer's line when asked about a wonderful military force is to say: "Who the Israeli's?"Even the anti-climatic ending will not bother you here.

I've never seen the TV series "Dragnet", and I've heard that it was little more than an excuse to glorify the police, lionizing them for going after hippies. Therefore, I'm perfectly content only knowing the 1980s movie starring Dan Aykroyd as the no-nonsense Joe Friday and Tom Hanks as his hip new sidekick. While the plot focuses on their investigation of a shady televangelist (Christopher Plummer), it's mostly an excuse for both men to be just plain old funny. Both guys easily succeed in that respect. It's the most hilarious - let alone the best - movie for either, but truly a nice bit of entertainment for its running length. Worth seeing for that.Also starring Alexandra Paul, Jack O'Halloran, Kathleen Freeman and Dabney Coleman.