The Other Guys

The Other Guys has quietly become one of the more dependable comedies currently available in Australia on Amazon Prime Video and BINGE, and in the US on Netflix and Starz Apple TV Channel. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. A 6/10 rating says what the writing already makes obvious: this one works. Will Ferrell sets the tone, and the rest of the cast matches it scene for scene. Available now on Amazon Prime Video — press play and find out why people keep recommending it.

The Other Guys arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. The Other Guys gets the fundamentals right first, then finds room to get weird with it. Unlike their heroic counterparts on the force, desk-bound NYPD detectives Gamble and Hoitz garner no headlines as they work day to day. When a seemingly minor case turns out to be a big deal, the two cops get the opportunity to finally prove to their comrades that they have the right stuff. Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg lead a cast with the timing to make it work. The Other Guys came out in 2010. The real test of any comedy is whether it is still funny once you know all the jokes, and The Other Guys holds up on rewatch in a way that separates it from one-off curiosities. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

Comedy fans looking for a reliably funny watch will find it in The Other Guys. It stands on its own even without an obvious comparison point. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Will Ferrell sets the tone, but the supporting cast is where a lot of the best moments come from. A reliable pick for any night you want quality comedy without the homework.