National Security

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National Security

PG-13

2003

1h 28m

Comedy

Action

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), a bombastic police academy reject, and Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), a disgraced, mild-mannered cop, can't seem to escape each other. They met on opposite sides of the law during a routine traffic stop that escalated out of control; now as lowly security guards they're thrown together to bust a smuggling operation.

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Critics Consensus

The action in National Security is mindless, while the humor says nothing insightful about racial issues.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

12/26/2010

1/5

Indistinguishable dumb action comedy.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

06/19/2003

2/4

This is lowest common dominator filmmaking in every sense of the word, which shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone familiar with the oeuvre of director Dennis Dugan.

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Alan Morrison

Empire Magazine

04/21/2003

1/5

This is a two-star movie dragged down a star because of its unrepentant racism.

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Jae-Ha Kim

Jae-Ha Kim

07/28/2023

2/4

If you want to get philosophical about "National Security," you could ask yourself this: Would you be able to forgive and perhaps even befriend the man who wrongly accused you of a crime that got you sent to prison?

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

05/05/2020

2/5

All the good stuff can be guffawed at in the opening half-hour. After that, you're on your own.

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

08/07/2008

1/5

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Blake- N

@PBSAniDom May 18

National Security was a major disappointment for me and easily one of the weaker comedy films I’ve seen. Despite having actors who are usually entertaining, the movie never fully comes together and feels messy from beginning to end. Most of the humor falls flat, relying too much on loud arguments and predictable jokes instead of clever writing. The story also feels unfocused, making it difficult to stay interested for the entire runtime. The cast does what they can with the material, but even their chemistry cannot save the film from its weak script and uneven pacing. There are a few small moments that work, but not enough to improve the overall experience. Overall, National Security is a forgettable and frustrating comedy that misses more than it hits. It had potential, but the execution just didn’t work for me. Big thumbs down from me, and I rate it a 2/10.

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tony P

@tonypuppy May 14

very funny movie with lots of comedy

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Pat C.

@slycoop3r Mar 30

One of the GOAT comedies. These reviews are whack af. Trust me this is a great watch

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Ron T

@Ron750 Mar 13

This is one of my favorite movies, it’s along the lines of 48 Hours, Rush Hour, Lethal Weapon, Beverly Hills Cop. It’s not a documentary on correct police behavior or the justice system. It gets low ratings from intelligent women. Exactly why it’s funny. Watch it when your wife is not home. The racial jokes are funny. If you don’t like them, try to actually meet someone of another race. It’s okay to kid around.

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James R.

@jamespro Jan 19

A lot of action and I love the actors, and it's also funny

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Brayden C

@RT76834721 Aug 9

One of my favorite movies Steve Zahn and Martin Lawrence had great acting,it’s a funny movie to I would just ignore all the old heads saying complaining about Martin Lawrence being “racist” it’s really not that big of a deal

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Dennis Dugan

Director

Martin Lawrence

Earl Montgomery

Steve Zahn

Hank Rafferty

Colm Feore

Detective Frank McDuff

Bill Duke

Lieutenant Washington

Eric Roberts

Nash

National Security: Official Clip - Soda Factory Shootout

1:36

National Security: Official Clip - You're a Pig!

3:19

National Security: Official Clip - Junkyard Chase

1:40

National Security: Official Clip - Officer Down!

1:33

National Security: Official Clip - Police Academy Chase

3:04

National Security: Official Clip - Traffic Stop

1:33

National Security: Official Clip - Hotwire Hijinks

2:48

National Security: Official Clip - Clifftop Showdown

2:27

National Security: Official Clip - Meeting His Ex

1:57

National Security: Official Clip - Explosive Shootout

1:47

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Synopsis

Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), a bombastic police academy reject, and Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), a disgraced, mild-mannered cop, can't seem to escape each other. They met on opposite sides of the law during a routine traffic stop that escalated out of control; now as lowly security guards they're thrown together to bust a smuggling operation.

Director: Dennis Dugan
Producer: Bobby Newmyer, Jeffrey Silver, Michael Green
Screenwriter: David Ronn, Jay Scherick
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia, Outlaw Productions, Intermedia Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sensuality|Language|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.8M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR