Showtime Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Two cops, one grumpy and one fame-hungry, are forced to star in a reality show while chasing a bad guy with a super weapon, making them realize that TV cops and real cops are equally ridiculous.

🍿 Showtime: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Undercover Bust Gone Wrong

LAPD Detective Mitch Preston, a no-nonsense veteran, finds his undercover drug bust ruined by aspiring actor and patrol officer Trey Sellars. Sellars’ eagerness to impress leads to media attention and Mitch accidentally destroys a TV camera. This results in a multi-million dollar lawsuit against the police department.

Lights, Camera, Aggravation: Showtime is Born

To avoid the lawsuit, the LAPD agrees to a reality TV show following Mitch’s work, produced by the ambitious Chase Renzi. Mitch is forced to participate, partnered with the very officer who caused the mess – Trey Sellars. The show aims to capture the ‘real’ police work, but Chase has a vision of a glamorous, TV-friendly version, much to Mitch’s dismay.

Balancing TV and True Crime

While navigating the challenges of constant filming and Chase’s meddling, Mitch tries to solve a case involving a dangerous, illegally modified automatic weapon. Trey, focused on his acting career, struggles to be taken seriously as a cop. The investigation forces them to confront their differences and learn to work together, blurring the lines between reality and entertainment.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Mitch Preston (Robert De Niro): A serious LAPD Detective Sergeant who is forced into starring in a reality TV show against his will.
• Trey Sellars (Eddie Murphy): An aspiring actor and LAPD patrol officer who eagerly embraces the opportunity to star in the reality TV show.
• Chase Renzi (Rene Russo): The ambitious TV producer who creates the reality cop show and tries to control its narrative.
• Caesar Vargas (Pedro Damian): The dangerous and sophisticated arms dealer who becomes the target of Mitch and Trey’s investigation.
• William Shatner (William Shatner): Playing himself, William Shatner is a former TV cop who coaches the cops on how to be “TV cops”.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• William Shatner: “You spear the knife into the bag… then pick some of the drugs up with the knife… then lightly press it on your tongue. And that is how TV cops taste drugs!” – Shatner, playing himself, gives absurd advice on how to act like a cop on television.
• Trey Sellars: “Showtime!” – Trey’s catchphrase, enthusiastically shouted at the beginning of the reality TV show segments.
• Mitch Preston: “Get that camera out of here!” – Mitch’s reaction to the intrusiveness of the reality TV crew.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $85,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $38,082,712
• Worldwide Gross: $77,885,672

💥 Showtime Reviews

Personal Review

I remember seeing ‘Showtime’ in theaters and laughing a lot, but it’s not a movie I’ve thought about much since. De Niro’s grumpy cop is hilarious, especially when he’s forced into ridiculous TV scenarios. Eddie Murphy is doing his usual thing, but it works well with De Niro’s straight-man act. The scene where William Shatner gives them ‘acting’ tips is gold! Overall, it’s a fun, lighthearted movie that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Perfect for a relaxing movie night.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of buddy-cop comedies”
  • “Viewers interested in satire of reality TV”
  • “Admirers of Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy”
  • “People looking for light-hearted entertainment”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gun violence”
  • “Suggestive humor”
  • “Some language”
  • “Action sequences”

Professional Reviews

• The Hollywood Reporter: “While De Niro and Murphy bring their A-game, ‘Showtime’ ultimately succumbs to buddy-cop clichés it tries to satirize. The film offers occasional laughs, but fails to deliver a consistently engaging story.
• Rolling Stone: “De Niro’s deadpan humor clashes amusingly with Murphy’s over-the-top antics. However, the script lacks depth, and the film feels like a stretched-out sitcom episode. Entertaining, but ultimately forgettable.
• Variety: “Showtime’ benefits from the chemistry of its leads, particularly De Niro’s unexpected comedic timing. However, the film suffers from an uneven tone and a predictable plot, preventing it from reaching its full potential.

Audience Reactions

The William Shatner cameo is pure comedic genius and elevates the entire movie.: Many viewers praised the unexpected pairing of Robert De Niro and Eddie Murphy, noting their comedic chemistry made the film enjoyable.

De Niro’s performance as a reluctant reality TV star is surprisingly funny and charming.: A lot of people found the movie a fun, light-hearted comedy that doesn’t require too much thinking, perfect for a casual viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: A lighthearted buddy-cop comedy with moments of brilliance, mainly due to the cast chemistry, but ultimately hampered by a predictable plot and uneven tone.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rene Russo’s assistant “Annie” is portrayed by Robert De Niro’s real-life adopted daughter Drena De Niro.”
• “William Shatner’s cameo includes giving advice to the characters on how TV cops taste drugs, a nod to his role in ‘T.J. Hooker’.”
• “The film satirizes buddy cop movie clichés and the rise of reality TV, aiming to highlight the contrast between real police work and its glamorous portrayal in media.”

🖥️ How to Watch Showtime?

Showtime is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available from retailers like Amazon and Walmart.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Showtime, you might like these similar films:

• 48 Hrs. (1982): A classic buddy cop film with a mismatched pairing, similar to the dynamic between De Niro and Murphy.
• Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Another Eddie Murphy-led buddy cop movie with comedic elements and action.
• Tropic Thunder (2008): A satirical take on the film industry and the lengths people go to for entertainment, similar to the reality TV show angle.
• The Other Guys (2010): Modern buddy cop comedy with a focus on humor and unlikely partnerships.

🛒 Showtime Related Products

• Showtime (DVD): Own the physical copy of ‘Showtime’ to relive the laughs and action anytime. Includes special features such as deleted scenes, commentary, and a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie.
• Eddie Murphy: Raw (Blu-ray): Experience Eddie Murphy’s stand-up comedy at its finest. This iconic performance showcases his raw talent and comedic brilliance, offering a glimpse into the humor that made him a star.
• Robert De Niro: A Life in Film: Dive into the remarkable career of Robert De Niro with this comprehensive biography. Explore his iconic roles, behind-the-scenes stories, and the evolution of one of Hollywood’s greatest actors.
• Buddy Cop Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: A collection of iconic buddy cop movies to have hours of fun. Includes Lethal Weapon, 48 Hours, and Rush Hour movies.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Showtime” – performed by Shaggy featuring Babyface
• “Whatchu Lookin’ At?” – performed by Lisa ‘Left Eye’ Lopes feat. TLC

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Ted – MovieCharactersLastName #tiktok #movie #ted ‎@It’s Showtime by @unknownuserX001

Ever wondered what ‘Ted’ would be like if it was a TikTok trend? This hilarious video reimagines the movie with a fun twist, showing off the movie’s iconic humor. I honestly can’t stop laughing at this!

Anne Curtis kisses Vhong Navarro | It’s Showtime

Want to see some unexpected cast interactions? Check out this lighthearted moment with Anne Curtis and Vhong Navarro on ‘It’s Showtime’. It’s a fun glimpse into the personalities behind the scenes – I wasn’t expecting that kiss!

✨ Rate