This was a very surprising movie. I've seen the first, or maybe even the “original”, Bad Lieutenant movie with Harvey Keitel, and for the most part, this movie was very similar. However, it felt like a more watered down version. When the final plot started unfolding, I was utterly baffled. That was in no way similar to what I expected.
Nicolas Cage is pretty good in the role of a crooked cop on a downward spiral of drugs and crime. I had zero empathy for the character by the end, and maybe that is why the ending surprised me so much.
Eva Mendes is perfect in her role, being both sensual and sharp witted. The rest of the cast is more or less unremarkable.
There are very few effects in the movie. A few drug related hallucinations seemed a bit weird, but not out of place considering the context. However, they were not consistent throughout the movie. There are also very limited gunfights, and they are all played down.
If you've watched the original from 1992 and found it too harsh and unsettling, but otherwise liked the theme, and believe that there is still hope for mankind, then this might be to your liking. I give it six out of ten.
