It’s a temptation to say, “Hollywood makes nothing but crap anymore.” Such a temptation that I have said it. But ever so often, when the stars align just right, Tinseltown produces something worth watching. 21 Bridges is one such example.

What It’s About

This is a “police procedural” story with action, mystery, and a “one good cop stands alone” theme. The eponymous 21 bridges lead in and out of Manhattan. They get blocked when the entire urban island is shut down for a manhunt.

The Plot

Two well-armed guys mask up and break into a building with the intent of stealing cocaine from some drug lord’s stash. A few surprises await them:

1. The stash contains a whole lot more coke than what they expected.
2. It is undiluted.
3. Cops show up while the robbery is underway.

One of the thieves is an experienced shooter, and in the ensuing firefight, he greases eight of New York’s Finest.

Now panicking (because, in a matter of minutes, they have become cop killers), they take what drugs they can carry and escape the scene. The shooter, who was so frosty under fire, inexplicably runs a red light, ensuring the police will have the traffic cam photo.

They arrive at the home of a reasonable, accommodating middleman willing to sell the drugs to a dealer, and arrange new IDs for them with an escape plan. But while they’re discussing this, a squad of police show up and immediately open fire, killing the middleman. The thieves/cop killers escape again.

Meanwhile, Characters:

Detective Andre Davis is already on the case, and he smells a rat from the beginning.

It’s established early that Davis’ father was a cop murdered in the line of duty when Andres was a boy; he is taking care of his widowed mother who suffers from dementia; he has shot several perps himself, and been investigated by Internal Affairs because of that.

Some fellow cops treat him as if he is a loose cannon; others are glad he’s been assigned the case to catch the cop killers, assuming he will shoot first and ask questions later.

I would say Detective Davis “steals the show,” but it’s supposed to be the main character’s show, anyway. He’s a clever detective, but it’s his exceptional integrity that makes him shine. His honesty and force of will make him stand out from a force full of dirty and trigger-happy cops. He’s like the Rorschach character from Watchmen, but without the costume, outlaw vigilante status, and hang-ups.

Craft:

The filmmaking isn’t groundbreaking, but is competent–which does set it apart from all the cinematic diarrhea in the Current Year. To paraphrase a famous Prussian strategist: “Perfection is not always required. Sometimes mediocrity is enough.” That’s certainly the case in today’s entertainment landscape, as Top Gun: Maverick proved…though I’m not saying 21 Bridges is mediocre. The screenwriting, direction, and acting are all solid. You’ve seen some of these actors before, and they’re all believable in this movie.

Even if you’re not a fan of the genre, once you start watching, it’s hard to stop. It’s an intense experience worth a couple hours of your time–which can’t be said for most of what is available on streaming services.