While trying to unload a property in which he has invested all of his money, Joe receives a call that four people have been killed in a music club after performing. Arriving on the scene with his partner of four months, K.C. Calden (Josh Hartnett), the two quickly learn that there was a witness to the killings and set out to investigate the crime, and locate the witness who may be able to shed light on the killings. At this point the film quickly shifts gears from that of a gritty cop film and instead becomes a comedy that parodies many films in the genre.

     It seems that Calden is also unhappy with being a police officer as he dreams of becoming an actor. Calden is prepping for an acting showcase on Friday night, and frets over learning his lines, and if any agents will be showing up, he is so concerned, that he even gets Joe to run lines with him as they drive to locations during their investigation. Joe on the other hand is facing the wrath of a sadistic Internal Affairs officer named Bennie Macko (Bruce Greenwood) who is determined to get back at Joe for making him look bad during a case he bungled years ago.

      The interesting thing about this film, is that while we do see the two officers conducting an investigation, the majority of the film is taken up by side issues such as Joe's constant efforts to land and close two giant real estate deals, the Internal Affairs investigation, and Calden's spiritualism, bedding of women who's names he cant remember and pursuit of his acting career. There are some subplots such as Calden being haunted by the death of his father whose case files have been sealed, and Joe being involved with a radio psychic (Lena Olin), and of course his constant financial struggles.

      This film is a difficult one to review as the film lacks any real tension or deep plot, and the characters sort of amble through the investigation rather than tackle it head on as most film and television cops due. More screen time is devoted to their off the case exploits, yet those often have some very funny moments. There is an interrogation scene that is hysterical and a very interesting car chase that has some nice variations on what has become a time worn segment. The sight of Ford in hot pursuit on a children's bicycle festooned with balloons is a blast as are other moments in the film.

      That being said, the film is enjoyable to watch and at times funny much to the great work by Ford who makes what could be a bad film enjoyable simply by his presence. Hartnett does well with a role that is little more than that of a comedic sidekick. As a cop film "Hollywood Homicide" is not very good but as comedy and parody of that genre it is an unevenly paced film that at times works. Despite the flaws, the overall experience is a good summer afternoon

     -- Gareth Von Kallenbache ( 2 1/2 out of 4 pops )

Talk about this film with other Popkorn Junkies

      Billy Ray ( 3 1/2 out of 4 pops )

      If you're Harrison Ford -- why not make a comedy? You're already the most successful actor in film history -- why not dumb it down a little and make a comedy? Sure, Robert DeNiro has flopped at it once or twice, and most actors do also, but you're Harrison Ford -- you're Indiana Jones; you're Hans Solo; you're Regarding Henry. When all is said and done, "Hollywood Homicide" is one of the freshest, funniest, and most enjoyable buddy comedies to come out in a long time. Harrison Ford is hilarious, and Josh Hartnett is slowly becoming the leading man type, though he still has a ways to go. I thought the dialogue between Ford and Hartnett is what really drove this film, but the action sequences are not too shabby either. "Hollywood Homicide" is much better than most people will probably think, and it shows a new versatility to Ford's talent. Also, Josh Hartnett is great eye candy. 

      Matt ( 3 out of 4 pops ) 

      This has to be the best action film with a not-so-interesting plot that I've seen so far.  The by-the-numbers plot is a carbon copy of every buddy cop action movie we've seen.  I'm not going to give anything away, even though there are no real surprises.  But the premise is original.  Two LAPD detectives with side jobs?  Who ever thought of that?  It's not some contrived, gimmicky idea.  There are actually detectives who have other lines of work.  Harrison Ford and Josh Hartnett have a very interesting chemistry.  Sure, they rarely ever do as much as look each other in the eye, but that's the whole point!  At least they don't go through the predictable arc of hating each other's guts so much that you just predict they're going to be high-fiving each other at the end of the movie.  They maintain the same love/hate character dynamic throughout the whole film.  Ford has a dry but hilarious sense of humor, on and off screen, but I don't think he's ever been funnier!  There's one hilarious moment where Hartnett and Ford are running lines from "A Streetcar Named Desire" while driving, and Ford delivers the lines of the female character in a completely deadpan fashion.  The film definitely has one of the most entertaining, original car chases in movie history!  Normally, I yawn at long car chases, but this one was a lot of fun.  When was the last movie you saw where a detective tries to negotiate a real estate deal while in a frantic, high-speed chase?  And there's another gag where Ford confiscates a taxicab, and the driver still runs the meter and charges him at the end of the ride.  Priceless!  Those delightful comic moments were handled brilliantly by director Ron Shelton, who seems to have made a sudden shift from making sports-themed movies like "Bull Durham" and "White Men Can't Jump" to cop movies like "Dark Blue" and "Hollywood Homicide."  Even with some good action movies, a bland storyline can really be jarring.  In this case, the action scenes were so exciting and the gags so hilarious that at times I didn't care if the film had a plot at all (which at times seemed to have been the case)!  If you enjoyed "48 Hours" and the "Lethal Weapon" movies, you should have a real blast with "Hollywood Homicide"!