LAPD Officers Brian Taylor (Jake Gyllenhaal) and Mike Zavala
(Michael Pena) patrol one of the most crime ridden areas of Los Angeles; South Central. Their close
relationship and dedication to their job runs in parallel with Taylor’s fondness for filming everything they
do on the beat. Cameras are attached to the Officer’s uniforms, car and Taylor even uses a
handheld camera when investigating a crime scene or just driving around. When a
couple of busts seem to share a link with some highly decorated or ‘blinged
out’ weapons, Taylor suggests the pair carry out some detective work which gets
them embroiled in a war with a Mexican drug cartel.
Although full of many of the usual buddy cop clichés and
with problems around the filming style detracting from the drama, End of Watch is an above average
Action-Drama which combines a great central relationship, two good performances
and a gritty realism. Its main selling point though is the found footage style
which is where the film occasionally fails.
