Ein Cop und ein Halber

Cute little black kid wants to be a policeman. The diminuitive star, Norman Golden III is out to steal your heart while it feels like like the film-makers have stolen your wallet in the process.

This comes about a decade too late after the trend of cuddly black "child" stars Gary Coleman and Webster, who were both in their late 30's during their heyday. (I've always thought that a great idea for a TV show would be something called "Shrunken Miniature Black Man" cause apparently that's the way America wants to see them.) Anyway, back to this film...

It's basically Burt Reynolds co-starring with his toupee and trying to look put-upon by Golden. In actuality, over the course of the 90 minutes, actor Reynolds spends a lot of his on-screen time sweating profusely. It's actually kind of creepy.

Cop and A Half is not a materpiece. It isn't something remarkable or memorable, but there is a significant difference between a bad film and a masterpiece. Although not a terrific movie, Cop and A Half is an entertaining and good comedy, with some really funny moments. With great performances and an above-the-average production (it was produced by Imagine, Ron Howard's company), this is a fast and simple motion picture. Burt Reynolds is charming and excellent as Nick Mkenna, the solitary cop who turns out to be a better person in the end, by living the most exciting adventures with the kid Norman Golden Jr. (who is very funny and talented too!).Despite all said about Cop and A Half, despite the reviewers who claim that this is a stupid picture, rent Cop and A Half, because at the same time it isn't a terrific work, it is a good and simple comedy about friendship, forgiveness and love.

Until he died, Gene Siskel kept making fun of Roger Ebert for giving this movie a positive review. That's certainly more funny than anything in this movie! A short but to the point review: UNFUNNY! Not one laugh! Yes, Reynolds needed the money, but surely he could have found something of better quality - couldn't he? Cliched, blandly directed, sweet to the point of giving diabetes! UGH!

This is one of my childhood favorites! Yes, the plot is pathetic and unbelievable. Yes, the boy is no Dakota Fanning. But Cop and a Half is a very enjoyable movie for people between the ages of 4 and 10. I mean, this movie wasn't marketed towards art school graduate students. The situations are very light-hearted and the jokes corny enough for the young age demographic.

This is also a good movie if you enjoy making fun of B-movies (especially with your friends... and beer). There are numerous plot holes and the man-boy love undertones are hilariously disturbing.

Do not watch Cop and a Half if you are a cantankerous old geezer!

You people are crackpots, just insane with arrogance. This movie did what it intended. Golden's performance was incredible given his age. Not very funny, but witty and cute. Here's a clue people: Most 8 year olds over-act! And Burt--well, Burt is Burt, not even one dimensional...The only fault I can find is the Hollywood by the numbers script, which is plenty dreadful. That's what Hollywood does. You knew you were getting a kids movie, right?

When I saw this as a kid, I really liked it. So, for me, it did what it was supposed to--capture a child's imagination. Not an adults petulance.

Recommended for kids.