National Security

2003

National Security

Critics Consensus

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

11%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 89

45%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 68,414
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Movie Info

Earl and Hank have only one thing in common: they're both L.A.P.D. rejects. One just got kicked out of the force--the other can't even get in. After confronting each other on opposite sides of the law, during a traffic stop that escalates out of control, these two luckless individuals end up partnered as lowly security guards. Despite being damned to the lowest rung of the law enforcement ladder, Earl and Hank uncover a sophisticated smuggling operation led by Nash and his band of thugs. When Earl and Hank get their hands on some hot property, they go on the run from, first, the bad guys, then, the L.A.P.D.--led by Lt. Washington and Detective McDuff. What these two unlikely partners do to law enforcement is a crime, but they just might save the day. That is, if they don't kill each other first.

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Cast

Martin Lawrence
as Earl Montgomery
Steve Zahn
as Hank Rafferty
Colm Feore
as Det. Frank McDuff
Bill Duke
as Lt. Washington
Eric Roberts
as Nash
Timothy Busfield
as Charlie Reed
Robinne Lee
as Denise
Matt McCoy
as Robert Barton
Brett Cullen
as Heston
Cleo King
as Woman in Car
Stephen Tobolowsky
as Billy Narthax
Joe Flaherty
as Owen Fergus
Gerry Del Sol
as Booking Clerk
Ken Lerner
as Hank's Lawyer
Mari Morrow
as Lola
Keithe Cooke
as Ang
Keith Cooke
as Ang
Mike Brady
as Smith
Troy M. Gilbert
as Cain
Troy M. Gilbert
as Cain
Anthony Schmidt
as Eddie
Joe Bucaro III
as Bratton
Carl Ciarfalio
as Stanton
Bobby McLaughlin
as Ashcroft
Robert Harvey
as Cop at Impound Yard
John Henry Binder
as Cop at Impound Yard
Margaret Travolta
as Judge
Wayne Morse
as Bailiff
Terry Logan
as LAPD Cop
Mark Lonow
as Detective at Interrogation
Jeffrey Ross
as Security Guard
Jocko Marcellino
as Sarcastic Cop
Jonathan Loughran
as Sarcastic Cop
Noel Gugliemi
as Latino Convict
Hiep Thi Le
as McDuff's Secretary
Leslie Jones
as Trucker Woman
Dawnn Lewis
as Woman at Impound Yard
Dawn Lewis
as Woman at Impound Yard
Jackie Flynn
as Guard in Solitary
Hal Fishman
as Himself
Andy Dugan
as Student Driver
Mickey Gilbert (II)
as Driving Instructor
Richardson Morse
as Detective
Ben Hernandez
as Detective
Benjamin Hernandez
as Detective
Tom Forrest
as Obnoxious Guy
Amy Aquino
as Councilwoman
Amanda Van Roberts
as Rich Lady
Mike Grasso
as Training Cop
Bruce Franklin Singer
as Training Facility Officer
Daniel Sudick
as Training Facility Officer
Daniel Sudick
as Training Facility Officer
Maia Danziger
as Jaguar Lady
Greg Serano
as Carjacker
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Critic Reviews for National Security

All Critics (89) | Top Critics (29)

  • Is it a thoroughly offensive attempt to disguise a reactionary view of African-Americans as manipulative, self-serving, serial complainers as 'comedy'? Definitely.

    Feb 18, 2003 | Rating: 1/5 | Full Review…

    Jamie Russell

    BBC.com
    Top Critic

  • It's too bad Martin already made What's the Worst That Could Happen? The title really fits this one.

    Jan 31, 2003 | Rating: 1/4

    Peter Travers

    Rolling Stone
    Top Critic

  • As the two cop manqués overcome their dearth of common sense to save the day, the film achieves a comic playfulness.

    Jan 21, 2003 | Full Review…

    Michael Miller

    Village Voice
    Top Critic

  • Despite some tasty contributions from Lawrence and Zahn, too much of National Security has the bland flavor of microwaved leftovers.

    Jan 20, 2003 | Rating: 2/4

    Joe Leydon

    Variety
    Top Critic

  • Someone has to save us from Lawrence's onslaught of cinematic dross.

    Jan 18, 2003 | Rating: 2/5

    Bill Muller

    Arizona Republic
    Top Critic

  • A lame blend of comedy and action in which both credibility and laughs are blown to smithereens.

    Jan 18, 2003 | Rating: D+

    Robert Denerstein

    Denver Rocky Mountain News
    Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (89)

Audience Reviews for National Security

  • May 19, 2011
    National Security is a fun action comedy about Hank (Steve Zahn) who is kicked off the LAPD force for beating up Earl (Martin Lawrence). The two then bump into each other as security guards. While Earl is planning to have a little fun with girlfriend Lola(Mari Morrow) Earl hears gunfire and goes to see what's up, and finds that Hank's been assigned to the same factory. Despite being damned to the lowest rung of the law enforcement ladder, Earl and Hank uncover a sophisticated smuggling operation led by a crazed Nash (Eric Roberts) and his band of thugs. When Earl and Hank get their hands on some hot property, they go on the run from, first the bad guys, then the L.A.P.D.--led by Lt. Washington and Detective McDuff. It's now up to these two unlikely partners to save the day. That is, if they don't kill each other first as Lawrence proceeds to annoy his partner to the brink of insanity. They may not break new ground, but it's a fun ride. I thought the funniest part was when Steve Zahn's character was trying to kill the bee but instead it looked like he was beating up Martin Lawrence's character. Nice to see Eric Roberts here even if it was such a small role!
    Deb S Super Reviewer
  • Feb 04, 2010
    Complete crap, this movie wasn't even funny one bit!
    KJ P Super Reviewer
  • Jul 02, 2009
    a hot black chick would never date Steve Zahn
    Coxxie M Super Reviewer
  • May 12, 2008
    This movie is painfully racist. The writers of this should be ashamed of themselves and the one who approved it for production prisoned. So much for all the efforts at decreasing racism with this film. This wasn't a great comedy but not unbearable.
    Steven V Super Reviewer
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