(USA) If the idea of men in uniform chasing bad guys Amazing Race-style (sans prize money), with smatterings of blood and gore appeals to you, then Street Kings will suit you just fine. However, you’re not going to get your money’s worth if you’re expecting an impressive storyline, as the plot develops far too predictably with a twist that has been employed one too many times.

After a two-year hiatus, the noticeably pudgier Keanu Reeves (The Matrix) plays the invincible LAPD detective, Tom Ludlow. When he witnesses the death of his former partner, he takes on the responsibility of nabbing the murderers. Ludlow then embarks on an almost brainless wild goose chase and guns everyone down with the help of eager amateur Detective Paul Diskant (Chris Evans, Fantastic Four). Sadly, this ends with Diskant’s death while on the job, and Ludlow finally realizes he’s been set up by the people he trusts most—his supervisor, Captain Wander (Forest Whitaker, Vantage Point) and his team. Lo and behold, Ludlow strikes back and miraculously succeeds in exterminating them all single-handedly. Sheesh.

This film adopts a disappointingly safe and clichéd plot and character development which have been exhausted by tons of police movies. Reeves delivers a very one-dimensional performance as the cool cop, Whitaker’s over-the-top acting almost turned this action thriller into a comedy. Nonetheless, the gripping action sequences, though far too short and sparse, still pack some adrenalin pumping moments.