End of Watch (2012)

Director: David Ayer

Rated: R

Length: 109 min

From the director of Traning Day, David Ayer brings to life yet another heroic tale of two cops who roam the streets of South Central, forced to face the harsh reality of this treacherous neighborhood. Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhall) and Mike Zavala (Michael Pena) are partners who play off of each other extremely well, providing a colorful commentary to follow throughout the film. However, this film is not all fun and games, the people they encounter on a daily basis have nothing to lose and are ready to kill at any moment. Taylor and Zavala play the role of a young, reckless, and courageous tandem who take down the hardened criminals of the most ruthless gangs in the entire country. The reality of this film is almost too much to handle in some cases, for it presents a very gruesome depiction of how the life of a police officer can truly be. The cinematography of this film is shown mostly through a hand held camera from the first person perspective, which adds to the excitement of every scene. But this film does also convey the familial side of police life, showing the sensitive side of these hardnosed cops, which they must keep hidden behind their day jobs. This very realistic and heartfelt story is a must-see for all action junkies, and might even spark the interest of a small portion of the female audience, especially with the studly antics of Jake Gyllenhall. End of Watch.