Let’s Be Cops Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

Trailer
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😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

🍿 Let’s Be Cops: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Two Friends, No Direction

Justin and Ryan are two down-on-their-luck friends in Los Angeles, struggling to find purpose as they approach their 30s. Justin, a video game designer, can’t catch a break, while Ryan is living off a dwindling commercial payout. They’re reminded of their failures at a college reunion, prompting them to consider moving back to Ohio.

Let's Be Cops Scene 1

The Costume Party That Changed Everything

Ryan convinces Justin to wear police uniforms (originally props for Justin’s game) to a costume party. Mistaken for real cops, they experience newfound respect and attention. Ryan embraces the charade, buying a used police car and learning police procedures from YouTube, while Justin is more hesitant, fearing legal repercussions. This allows Justin to finally catch the eye of Josie, a waitress at a local diner.

Let's Be Cops Scene 2

Becoming ‘Real’ Cops

The duo continue impersonating officers, responding to calls and enforcing the law (poorly). Their antics lead them to cross paths with Albanian mobsters led by Mossi, who are blackmailing local businesses. This puts them in real danger, forcing them to decide whether to continue their charade or come clean.

Let's Be Cops Scene 3

Caught in the Crossfire

As Ryan and Justin delve deeper into their roles, they obtain surveillance equipment from a real officer, Segars, to gather evidence against Mossi. This leads to an undercover operation where Justin infiltrates Mossi’s club, uncovering a network of tunnels and a corrupt detective, Brolin, who is working with Mossi. Justin and Ryan’s friendship begins to fray, as Ryan is now focused on being a cop for real, while Justin just wants to quit and avoid getting hurt or going to prison.

Let's Be Cops Scene 4

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

If you plan to watch the movie first, watch here and come back to this section afterward.

🎬 Cast & Characters

  • Ryan (Jake Johnson): A former college football star stuck in a rut who enthusiastically embraces the fake cop persona, seeking respect and excitement.
  • Justin (Damon Wayans Jr.): A struggling video game designer and Ryan’s cautious best friend who is initially hesitant about impersonating a police officer but goes along with it.
  • Mossi (James D’Arcy): The ruthless leader of an Albanian mob who becomes the antagonist when Ryan and Justin interfere with his criminal operations.
  • Segars (Rob Riggle): A gullible and dedicated patrol officer who believes Ryan and Justin are real cops and inadvertently aids their charade.
  • Josie (Nina Dobrev): A waitress and aspiring makeup artist who becomes Justin’s love interest, initially drawn to him because she believes he’s a police officer.
  • Brolin (Andy Garcia): A corrupt detective who is secretly working with Mossi and tries to stop Ryan and Justin from exposing their criminal enterprise.
  • Pupa (Keegan-Michael Key): An eccentric criminal element working for Mossi whom Justin impersonates in an undercover operation.

💬 Memorable Quotes

  • Ryan: “I got promoted to sergeant.” – Ryan proudly announces his self-proclaimed promotion, highlighting his increasingly delusional state.
  • Justin: “You promoted yourself?” – Justin questions Ryan’s ‘promotion,’ emphasizing the absurdity of their fake cop personas.
  • Ryan: “Yeah, I feel like I deserved it.” – Ryan justifies his fake promotion, showcasing his inflated ego and commitment to the role-playing.
  • Ryan: “We are cops! We’re supposed to kick down doors!” – Ryan justifies their actions, fully embracing their roles as fake police officers.

💰Box Office

  • Budget: $17,000,000
  • Domestic Gross: $82,390,774
  • Worldwide Gross: $138,224,951

💥 Let’s Be Cops Reviews

Personal Review

I went into ‘Let’s Be Cops’ expecting a dumb comedy, and it definitely delivered on that front. Some of the jokes were genuinely hilarious, especially the early scenes of them abusing their fake cop status. Damon Wayans Jr. and Jake Johnson have great chemistry together. The plot was ridiculous, but I still enjoyed it for what it was. It’s a good movie to watch when you just want to turn your brain off and laugh.

  • Who would enjoy:
    • “Fans of buddy cop comedies.”
    • “Viewers who enjoy Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr.’s comedic chemistry.”
    • “Those looking for a lighthearted and absurd film.”
  • Content warnings ⚠:
    • “Strong language.”
    • “Sexual content and nudity.”
    • “Violence and action sequences.”
    • “Drug use.”

Professional Reviews

  • Rolling Stone: “While it offers laughs, Let’s Be Cops doesn’t consistently hit the mark. The premise is funny, but the execution is uneven. The film relies heavily on the chemistry between Johnson and Wayans Jr, which sometimes works, but the jokes often fall flat. Overall, a passable comedy but nothing groundbreaking.
  • The New York Times: “Let’s Be Cops relies on the predictable buddy-cop formula with a twist. Jake Johnson and Damon Wayans Jr. have good comedic timing, but the plot is weak. The movie delivers some laughs but is ultimately forgettable. The supporting cast, including Rob Riggle, offers some funny moments.

Audience Reactions

The movie has many funny scenes and great chemistry between the actors, however it gets dark and very serious towards the end.: People really enjoyed the first half of the movie a lot, with most of the audience agreeing that the movie gets more and more difficult to watch towards the end due to dark and serious themes being introduced.

Overall Consensus: A passable comedy with good chemistry between the leads but ultimately suffers from a weak plot and inconsistent humor.

Awards

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🛠️ Behind the Scenes

  • “Several cast members, including Jake Johnson, Damon Wayans Jr., Rob Riggle, Jonathan Lajoie, and Keegan-Michael Key, are stand-up comedians, and their improvisational skills contributed significantly to the film’s humor.”
  • “The movie was filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, which was used as a stand-in for Los Angeles.”
  • “The filmmakers worked closely with police consultants to ensure that the costumes and procedures were as accurate as possible, despite the film’s comedic premise.”

🖥️ How to Watch Let’s Be Cops?

Let’s Be Cops is available for streaming on platforms like Hulu and for purchase or rental on Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for cable or satellite on-demand options. Consider purchasing through these platforms to support the filmmakers.

Let's Be Cops Scene 5

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Let’s Be Cops, you might like these similar films:

  • 21 Jump Street (2012): Similar buddy cop dynamic with undercover cops in over their heads, blending action and comedy.
  • Hot Fuzz (2007): Features a comedic take on police work, albeit in a more satirical and genre-aware manner.
  • Super Troopers (2001): Cult comedy about state troopers getting into absurd situations, appealing to fans of unconventional humor.
  • Game Night (2018): A group of friends find themselves in a real-life dangerous situation, similar to the protagonists’ experience in ‘Let’s Be Cops’.
  • The Other Guys (2010): Another buddy cop comedy where mismatched partners stumble upon a major case.

🛒 Let’s Be Cops Related Products

🎧 Soundtrack

Let’s Be Cops features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

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

🤨 FAQ

Is Let’s Be Cops based on a true story?

No, Let’s Be Cops is a work of fiction. While the premise of impersonating a police officer might draw inspiration from real-life incidents, the film’s plot and characters are entirely fictional.

Where was Let’s Be Cops filmed?

Let’s Be Cops was primarily filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, which stood in for Los Angeles.

Is there a Let’s Be Cops 2?

As of 2024, there are no plans for a Let’s Be Cops sequel. While the film was financially successful, no official announcements have been made regarding a follow-up.

Who are the main actors in Let’s Be Cops?

The film stars Jake Johnson as Ryan and Damon Wayans Jr. as Justin, the two friends who impersonate police officers.

🔥 Bonus Content

The authority figure let the cops get away😏😨 #movie #series

Check out this hilarious moment from the movie where the authority figure lets the cops get away!

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