Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Moderate
- irreverent
- raucous
- breezy
- casual movie night
- action comedy marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film formulaic and crude, with mindless action and uninsightful racial humor, though some praised the leads' comic chemistry and physical energy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Earl Montgomery and Hank Rafferty begin as adversaries after a traffic-stop confrontation but are forced to work together as security guards.
The central partnership repeatedly turns racial tension and conflicting attitudes toward law enforcement into comic conflict.
Both Earl and Hank are L.A.P.D. rejects, and their partnership unfolds from the lowest rung of private security rather than official police work.
The film features practical effects, funny brawling, explosions, and chases across over-used Los Angeles freeways.
Films like National Security, and why
Bad Boys
Shares the buddy cop structure, mismatched partners, broad comedy, crime plot, and fast-paced action.
The Other Guys
Shares irreverent law-enforcement humor, racial tension, explosive set pieces, and an unlikely police partnership.
Rush Hour
Shares a mismatched buddy-cop dynamic, comic friction, urban crime investigation, and energetic action-comedy tone.
Movie Details
- Director
- Dennis Dugan
- Release Date
- 2003-01-17
- Runtime
- 89 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (1107)
Cast
- Martin Lawrence
- Steve Zahn
- Colm Feore
- Bill Duke
- Eric Roberts
- Timothy Busfield
- Robinne Lee
- Brett Cullen
- Ken Lerner
- Matt McCoy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Netflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is National Security about?
- Two feuding L.A.P.D. rejects become reluctant security partners while stumbling onto a dangerous smuggling operation.
- What is National Security like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of National Security as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is National Security violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in National Security as moderate.
- What did critics think of National Security?
- Critics broadly found the film formulaic and crude, with mindless action and uninsightful racial humor, though some praised the leads' comic chemistry and physical energy.
- Which films are like National Security?
- Films with a similar feel include Bad Boys, The Other Guys, and Rush Hour.
- How long is National Security?
- National Security runs 89 minutes.
- Where can I watch National Security?
- In United States, National Security streams on Netflix.
