R.I.P.D. 
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges, Kevin Bacon, Mary-Louise Parker, Stephanie Szostak
Directed by: Robert Swentke
Rated:PG-13
Run Time: 96 mins
Genre: Action/ Comedy/ Crime
Opens July 19th
By Lisa Minzey of The Reel Critic.com
Going head to head with a slew of other films this weekend is the action/ comedy "R.I.P.D.". Like another new release the weekend, the film is adapted off a comic book, Rest In Peace Department written by Peter M. Lenkov, which a fun piece of trivia for the kids, will be the 4th time Ryan Reynolds has starred in a film adapted from a comic book. Can you name the other the other three?
Boston Police Office Nick Walker (Ryan Reynolds) died from an unfortunate accident in the line of duty 3-4 days prior to the opening scene, so he says. While he was still among the living, he was in a bit of a conundrum. He and his partner, Bobby Hayes (Kevin Bacon) made the mistake of keeping evidence from a crime scene they busted up so it wouldn't end up in the hands of street thugs. What they "kept" was huge hunks of gold, thinking they could cash it in for a sweet payday. Unfortunately for Walker, he doesn't get that chance as he's shot down on a meth house raid. He's swept up to a waiting room of sorts where he's met by a processor, Mildred Proctor (Mary- Lousie Parker) who gives him two options; go upstairs and face judgement or join the ranks of the R.I.P.D. (Rest in Peace Department) for a term of 100 years, then face judgement. That would make his little indiscretion with the gold look less hard during his "hearing". Walker accepts and then meets his new partner, Roy Pulispher (Jeff Bridges).
Upon hearing that this maverick was being assigned a new partner, let alone a rookie R.I.P.D. recruit, Pulispher throws a fit. Proctor leaves him with no choice as the "Dead-os" have been increasing and they need all hands on deck.
Walker must find a way to navigate his new life, partnership and come to terms with leaving his old life behind, which Pulispher is challenging him every step of the way. They need to work together to find out the reason that the deados are collecting the gold before a more sinister action can take place, or face elimination themselves.
Although the fan boys may cry foul because Ryan Reynolds is a lead in another comic book adaptation, they key to any film to be decent is to ask, "Is this entertaining?". The pairing of Ryan Reynolds and Jeff Bridges, although an unlikely choice, work so well together in the way they banter and hold their own in action scenes. This film is not perfect, by any means, but what's unexpected is that it was so enjoyable to watch. Bridges's rough- and-tough cowboy lawman, Roy Pulispher was hilarious to watch, especially when his cover was revealed; as is Reynolds. Reminiscent of films such as "Beetlejuice", "Men In Black" and "Heaven Can Wait", this film blends the fantasy, action and comedy in such a way that it is enjoyable to watch. Even the 3D effects were incorporated well with the stop motion shots and action sequences. If you go into the theater with low expectations, you may walk away pleasantly surprised. Check out "R.I.P.D." when it opens in theaters starting Friday July 19, 2013.
