R.I.P.D. Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dead cop joins an afterlife police force to fight escaped souls and stop the apocalypse, all while looking like an old Chinese man.

🍿 R.I.P.D.: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Death and Recruitment

Boston cop Nick Walker, played by Ryan Reynolds, is killed by his corrupt partner, Hayes (Kevin Bacon), during a raid. Instead of facing final judgment, Nick is recruited into the Rest In Peace Department (R.I.P.D.), a supernatural police force that polices the afterlife. His initial reluctance stems from unfinished business with his wife, Julia, and the circumstances of his death.

Partnered with Roy

In the R.I.P.D., Nick is partnered with Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges), a veteran officer and former U.S. Marshal from the Old West. Roy’s old-school methods clash with Nick’s modern sensibilities, creating a classic buddy-cop dynamic. Their mission is to capture ‘Deados,’ deceased souls who have escaped judgment and are wreaking havoc on Earth. To the living, Nick and Roy appear as different avatars, leading to humorous situations and challenges in communicating with the living world.

The Staff of Jericho

As Nick and Roy investigate Deado activity, they discover a conspiracy involving the Staff of Jericho, a mystical artifact capable of opening a portal between the living world and the afterlife. Hayes, Nick’s former partner, is revealed to be involved in a plot to use the Staff to unleash an apocalypse on Earth. Nick is torn between his duty as an R.I.P.D. officer and his desire for revenge and to protect Julia.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds): A recently deceased Boston cop who joins the R.I.P.D. to redeem himself and avenge his death.
• Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges): A veteran R.I.P.D. officer and former U.S. Marshal from the Old West, partnered with Nick.
• Hayes (Kevin Bacon): Nick’s former partner, a corrupt cop who betrays and murders him and becomes a Deado.
• Proctor (Mary-Louise Parker): The head of the Boston division of the R.I.P.D. who recruits and oversees Nick and Roy.
• Julia (Stephanie Szostak): Nick’s wife, who is unknowingly caught in the middle of the R.I.P.D.’s battle against the undead.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Roy Pulsipher: “You are just gonna have to learn to sit on your regret and pain until it turns into a dull, persistent ache. The way I do it. The way a man does it.” – Roy attempts to give Nick advice on dealing with his death and past mistakes.
• Roy Pulsipher: “I’m not a piece of meat put on this earth for your gratification, I’m a woman. Respect me or I will castrate you like a three-year-old steer.” – Roy’s avatar is an attractive woman, and he threatens a man who catcalls him.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $130,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $33,618,855
• Worldwide Gross: $78,324,220

💥 R.I.P.D. Reviews

Personal Review

I have to admit, I went into this movie with low expectations, and it was still a bit of a letdown. Jeff Bridges’s over-the-top performance was the highlight for me, but the plot felt very familiar. It feels like Men In Black but with a supernatural theme, and it never really finds its own identity. The humor was hit-or-miss, and the CGI often looked cheap. I liked the concept of the avatars that the characters appeared as to the living, but it wasn’t explored enough, in my opinion. Overall, it’s a forgettable summer flick.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of buddy-cop action comedies”
  • “Viewers who enjoy supernatural themes with a comedic twist”
  • “Those looking for light-hearted, undemanding entertainment”
  • “Fans of Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Fantasy violence”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some suggestive humor”
  • “Supernatural themes that may be intense for younger viewers”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “R.I.P.D. is a derivative and uninspired mess, failing to capitalize on its talented leads or its intriguing premise. It’s like watching a bad copy of Men in Black, but with ghosts.
• IMDB: “While derivative of Men in Black, R.I.P.D. provides some entertaining moments with the chemistry between Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges, and delivers good humor and action that could be better.

Audience Reactions

Jeff Bridges’s performance was hilarious and over the top.: Viewers enjoyed the dynamic between Reynolds and Bridges, even if the plot was weak.

Overall Consensus: R.I.P.D. is generally considered a derivative and uninspired film, failing to live up to its potential due to a weak plot and over-reliance on familiar tropes.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Jeff Bridges stated in a Reddit AMA that he enjoyed making the movie with the cast and crew but attributed its failure to studio interference, saying the suits just cut it against the grain and, I thought, screwed it up.”
• “The film is based on the comic book of the same name by Peter M. Lenkov.”

🖥️ How to Watch R.I.P.D.?

R.I.P.D. is available to rent or buy on various platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability on cable or satellite services. As of October 2024, it is not currently streaming on subscription services like Netflix or Hulu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed R.I.P.D., you might like these similar films:

• Men in Black (1997): Shares a buddy-cop dynamic fighting supernatural threats with a secret organization.
• Ghostbusters (1984): Features a team combating supernatural entities with comedic elements.
• RED (2010): Directed by the same director, Robert Schwentke, and features a similar action-comedy tone with ensemble cast.

🛒 R.I.P.D. Related Products

• R.I.P.D. (Blu-ray): Own the action-comedy film on Blu-ray, featuring bonus content and behind-the-scenes footage.
• Dark Horse Presents Vol. 8 TPB: Collects the R.I.P.D. comic book series, written by Peter M. Lenkov, the comic the movie is based on.
• R.I.P.D. Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for decorating any movie fan’s room.
• Men in Black Trilogy: Since R.I.P.D has similarities, why not watch the trilogy that inspired the film.

🎧 Soundtrack

R.I.P.D. features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Hey Nineteen” – performed by Steely Dan

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Creatures Of R.I.P.D. | Science Fiction Station

Prepare to be amazed by the incredible creatures brought to life in R.I.P.D.! From the grotesque ‘Deado’ to the towering ‘Fat Deado,’ this behind-the-scenes look will leave you in awe of the film’s stunning visuals.

Hunting Down The Deado Creatures | R.I.P.D. (2013) | Science Fiction Station

Join Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges as they hunt down the undead ‘Deado’ creatures in this action-packed clip from R.I.P.D. Witness the explosive confrontations and thrilling special effects that make this film a must-see.

Welcome To R.I.P.D. | R.I.P.D. (2013) | Science Fiction Station

Step into the extraordinary world of R.I.P.D. and meet the unlikely duo of Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) and Roy Pulsipher (Jeff Bridges). This captivating introduction will immerse you in the film’s unique premise and set you up for an unforgettable cinematic experience.

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