If you can manage to portray yourself as both a thief and a procurer, you’re pretty much all set. A police officer known for his toughness finds himself working with a wisecracking criminal who's been temporarily released into his custody, and together they have to hunt down an escaped convict who killed another cop. The familiar pairing of opposites bursts onto the screen in a frenzy of violence, harsh language, and sharp jokes. It also helped propel Eddie Murphy to fame during the 1980s. Directed by Walter Hill and featuring Nick Nolte alongside Murphy as a striking black-and-white duo, it moves at a relentless speed and possesses a defiant attitude. The film’s history could have been quite different; Stallone, Reynolds, Pryor, and Hines were all considered for the lead roles at one point, and now it's part of movie lore that Murphy got his chance and seized it (though he was actually fired at some point). Fortunately, those behind-the-scenes issues were resolved, giving us a quintessential example of its kind. A significant success for Paramount, it opened the door for more films using a similar approach in the decade to come, but few could be as raw and bold with the racial tensions that are explored. Murphy is exceptional, delivering lines rapidly like an automatic weapon, and his physical comedic moments are fully realized; he interacts brilliantly with Nolte, who also gives a strong performance. It's not surprising that the storyline is straightforward, but thanks to the writing and the performances (with supporting roles from James Remar, Sonny Landham, and David Patrick Kelly), it’s an incredibly energetic experience from beginning to end. Amidst all the verbal sparring and action, there's plenty of 1980s pop culture on display, with a soundtrack that feels like a shotgun blast and a score by James Horner that echoes through Los Angeles (which he later revised for the Arnold Schwarzenegger film *Commando* in 1985). This reflects a time when it might now be seen as insensitive and outdated, but it also creates a sense of authenticity by capturing the spirit of the era. So, not ideal for those who are easily shocked, but for people looking back fondly or interested in how the action-comedy genre developed, this is essential viewing that still provides high-octane entertainment. 8/10

Source on TMDB