Gang Related

REVIEW
Belushi and Shakur are cops and partners (in crime) who shake down a handful of drug dealers, murder them, and then dismiss the cases as "gang related." Their scheme hits a snag when their latest hit turns out to be an undercover DEA agent, and a full-blown investigation ensues. Their search for a suitable patsy leads to alcoholic, homeless Quaid…..and their problems snowball even more. The simple premise of this modestly entertaining film is taken to its breaking point; the first two-thirds are suspenseful and involving, but it really runs out of gas towards the end. Writer-director Kouf does a nice job of slowly turning the screw (and coaxing a good performance from Shakur in one of his last roles), but then drops the ball -- the trite, superficial ending reveals the total lack of point of view and hollowness at the film's core.