'70s-style crime actioner 'Copshop' would be a bust without Alexis Louder

   A hit man, a con artist and a cop … That’s not setting up a joke, it’s the trio at the center of “Copshop,” director Joe Carnahan’s ‘70s-style crime thriller. Only the movie is not thrilling … or interesting … In fact, it’s so ridiculous it might be a joke after all. 

   Per usual, Carnahan (“Smokin’ Aces,” “Narc”) favors gritty style over substance.   With his lowlife thugs, crooked coppers, cool dialogue and a penchant for carnage, Carnahan comes off as low-rent Guy Ritchie by way of Quentin Tarantino and Clint Eastwood.  His one-note characters and clichéd script, co-written with newcomer Kurt McLeod, lacks tension, depth, nuance and cohesive storytelling. But that doesn’t matter in Carnahan’s world. What’s important is the body count and blood splatter. 

“Copshop” goes down like this: Teddy Murretto (Frank Grillo) purposely gets jailed by sucker punching a police officer in a scuffle outside a rural Nevada casino. He’s on the run from a hit man named Mike Viddick (Gerard Butler), who’s tailing him in a Crown Vic. Incarceration doesn’t protect Teddy for long. Both men end up in the clink, under the watchful eye of “bored” rookie cop Valerie Young (Alexis Louder). “This just ain’t your night,” she says.  That’s the truth. It’s no one’s, especially when a second assassin (Toby Huss) rolls up carrying a bouquet of balloons and an assault rifle.  There’s never a dull moment on the overnight shift. 

More:Rock star real estate: Aerosmith's Joe Perry lists Duxbury property for $4.5 million

As the evening wears on, the stale tale grows more tedious. When someone needs a tracheotomy, Val can do it! She can patch up gunshot wounds, too! Even her own! And why is no one on the other end of the police radios? 

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Expository dialogue and flashbacks abound. And when all else fails, just start firing guns and shattering glass.  Every “twist” is telegraphed, but at least the funk-infused soundtrack is a nice touch.  Never for a minute do you believe any of this nonsense could happen in the real world. 

More:'Hadestown,' hip-hop, Handel: Fall arts scene heats up from Boston to the South Shore

Most of the movie takes place in the Creek City Police station. The isolated setting is supposed to generate a feeling of claustrophobia but doesn’t. Boredom arises, and not just because the scenery is the same. The story, direction, execution, practically everything, is derivative. Much is made of the concept of “déjà vu,” which is appropo considering you can’t escape feeling like you’ve seen this movie before. 

At least the actors look the part. Butler, as hitman Bob Viddick, is all shaggy hair and next-day stubble. Grillo is in full man-bun and mustachioed glory. His look is capped by a pair of snazzy snakeskin cowboy boots. But appearances are not everything. Neither actor possesses enough charisma – or menace - to rise above the mediocre material. Only Louder (“Watchmen,” “The Tomorrow War”) comes away unscathed. Without her, “Copshop” would be a total bust. 

More:Netflix 9/11 drama 'Worth' tells story of Brockton's Kenneth Feinberg; debuts Friday

COP SHOP 

Rating: R for strong/bloody violence, and pervasive language. 

Cast: Gerard Butler, Frank Grillo, Alexis Louder 

Director: Joe Carnahan 

Grade: C 

Runtime: 107 minutes 

  Thanks to our subscribers, who help make this coverage possible. Please consider supporting quality local journalism with a Patriot Ledger subscription.

Reach Dana Barbuto at dbarbuto@patriotledger.com.