The Mod Squad (1999)

Three teenage hoodlums get recruited by a cop to work undercover to bust a drug ring which may involve fellow police officers. When the recruiter gets killed himself, they take it upon themselves to get to the bottom of things.

Competent actors, a relatively skilled director, a decent idea for a story, and a killer soundtrack…so what went wrong? In a word: boring. The script is so threadbare, 40 minutes worth of the original Mod Squad TV show probably had more substance. In between what little plot there is, we get to hear all the latest and greatest of today’s up and coming hit-makers, all the while watching our heroes walking in slow motion, looking cool. A real shame since all the elements were here for at least a decent action flick, too bad there’s so little action that the most incurable insomniac might catch about 4000 winks by the time the end credits appear.

Qwipster’s rating: C-

MPAA Rated: R for language, violence and some sexuality
Running Time: 117 min.

Cast: Claire Danes, Omar Epps, Giovanni Ribisi, Dennis Farina
Director: Scott Silver
Screenplay: Stephen Kay, Scott Silver, Kate Lanier