2hotFeature one of my absolute favorites!

Sameer Callahan It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

Lela The tone of this movie is interesting -- the stakes are both dramatic and high, but it's balanced with a lot of fun, tongue and cheek dialogue.

Aspen Orson There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

Amy Adler Friday (Dan Ackroyd) is the son of a famous detective and, now, he continues detecting in the family tradition. He has the same monotone, just the facts mantra, and conservative dress as his dad. His longtime partner moves away so he is paired with a new one, Streebek (Tom Hanks) who shows up with long hair and a flashy outfit. No, no, no, that's not gonna work. Before long, Streebek is looking VERY similar to Friday. But, his mode of operation is not the same and won't ever be. In the City of Angels at this time, a group calling itself PAGAN is stealing vehicles, setting fires, and leaving calling cards. Meanwhile, a stuffy minister Wurley (Christopher Plummer) and a playboy type (Dabney Coleman) are at odds over the place each has in society. Also, police commissioner (Elizabeth Ashley) has a "close" relationship with Wurley, who has big secrets unknown to her. As Friday and Streebek hunt down PAGAN, rescue ladies, encounter strippers, tangle with anacondas, and drive like maniacs, will they get the job done? Let me first say, I love Ackroyd and Hanks and they are not the problem here, for they try hard. Plummer does great, as he is totally unlikeable as written, and the rest of the cast are okay, too. Its the script, stupid, that's really kind of a drag, for the adventures of these two detectives are, many times, offensive. As the movie sets out to really spoof the original Dragnet television show, it might have been better to come closer to the Jack Webb version. If you like the two stars, and most viewers do, take a chance if you wish. But don't expect to be entertained in grand fashion.

Robert Thompson (justbob1982) Version I saw: UK DVD releaseActors: 7/10Plot/script: 7/10Photography/visual style: 6/10Music/score: 6/10Overall: 7/10Dragnet is a reboot/sequel/remake of the 50s TV series of the same name, although it blurs the boundaries. To be honest, I know very little about the series, but I get the impression that it is essentially a straight police procedural with a single central character, Sgt. Joe Friday. Originally played by Jack Webb, the role is taken by Dan Aykroyd for this version. In addition, a partner has been inserted in the form of Det. Pep Streebek (Tom Hanks).Although at first Hanks' role as the young, cool one slightly threw me, so used am I to seeing him as an older, more patriarchal figure, he plays it well. The contrast between him and the uptight, by-the-book Friday is and was an utterly hackneyed one, but it is implemented in an entertaining way that left me feeling forgiving.This is really Aykroyd's film, though. He co-wrote the script, and delivers most of the funniest lines. In an odd contrast to Hanks, who plays his part more-or-less straight, Aykroyd's Friday is almost clownish. In fact, characters in this film have a very varied relationship to the jokes: some are clueless, others are totally in on the joke, and yet others react with more human bemusement.It's all very 80s. The fashion, the music (including an ultra-80s synth opening sequence version of the iconic Dragnet theme), even the plot: I detected definite echoes of Lethal Weapon, Beverly Hills Cop and Police Squad, all very 80s products. In some ways, this is as much a parody of 80s cool as it is of Friday and his rigid world. Crucially though, if this is a parody, it is an affectionate one, with a warmth for its subject that I found myself reciprocating.

BobbyT24 I watched this many times years ago in college when it first came out (and thereafter). Tom Hanks was always a fabulous funnyman with impeccable timing. Dan Ackroyd was Jack Webb reincarnated with a comedy flare. It was funny in 1987, it was funny in the years following, it was funny last night while watching with my teenage son who had neither heard of the original series nor really had much experience with a young Tom Hanks circa-"Splash" era. The movie hasn't aged perfectly (how many mid-80s movies have?). However, the originality and genuine caring by the two stars to add some sensibility and joy into a classic dramatic series makes it worth watching. I enjoyed it then. I enjoyed it last night.Tom Hanks is an American treasure as an actor. He's just that special. I'm so thankful he's stretched out into drama, but his physical comedy and timing are some of the best ever. Dan Ackroyd can spout the dictionary in his monotone "Joe Friday" tone and make it sound funny. He was awesome as the Los Angeles detective with the heart of gold and ethics above reproach. Pairing him with a lovely, innocent Alexandra Paul was a stroke of genius for the screenplay. It allowed these gifted comedians even more fodder for comic gold.Some people mention this is an "unrealistic" movie. Of course it is. Just like the "Airplane" series is unrealistic. With spoofs, you will need to suspend reality a little to understand the point. "Dragnet" not only sticks close to reality, but even it's silly parts are joyous because the main characters and the character actors playing the minor parts are working so hard to make it believable. To have Dabney Coleman doing his impression of Hugh Hefner with a lisp is inspired lunacy. And naming Joe Friday's grandmother, "Granny Monday"... The jokes go on.If you're looking for "Schindler's List" or even the Harrison Ford remake, "The Fugitive", you will be disappointed with "Dragnet". But if you love "Airplane", "Spaceballs" and other odd, clever, classic "banana peel" humor, pick up this movie. If you are in the mood for a silly memoir about a classic police show from the 1960s, you won't find much better. I would recommend watching just to watch Tom Hanks as a young comedian. He's worth the time. The rest of the movie is worth your time. Recommended for a night of lunacy. :-)

willcundallreview Rating-6/10Dragnet is an 80's crime comedy that although isn't that funny to be fair, still manages to produce a kind of fun story. Is this Dan Aykroyd or Tom Hanks best work in the funny business?, no, but what I will say is they give it there all and with some good one liners here and there it still is a highly enjoyable piece of entertainment.The plot centres around, well quite a few things actually and that is why I felt it was OK, it not only produces thrills and also spills, but it also produces a nice setting to it too with LA providing a typical 80's backdrop that never gets old in movies. I thoroughly enjoyed the start and actually felt it could be a classic, the only problem is it really starts to decline in quality toward the ending and you feel with the last half or quarter that if it had been a little more precise with the script, it could have been very good.Tom Mankiewicz directs and co writes this well but I did feel as previously said the script just isn't tight enough, bit of tweaking would have made massive improvements. Dan Accord is among them writers and also the star of the film playing Sergeant Joe Friday who although is a hard character I understand to be funny with, is massively overshadowed by others involved and you want to see more of Tom Hanks character Pep Steinbeck by the time he has fully established himself. Speaking on Hanks he is good here, a little crazy but pretty much delivers the jokes this entire film has that are funny.Now whether or not it lives up to it's original TV series is only known by those who watched it, and I am not among those who have, but what I will say is that if this is anything to go by it probably hasn't. The film is just a little too messy, yes of course I did say it is OK and it truly is but is it really that great of a film, well probably no in all fairness.Away from the comedy, and I stress this quite importantly, the plot is actually very thrilling and the story that we go through is very entertaining indeed. The whole thing about P.A.G.A.N is mysterious and is never truly solved until right at the end of the movie, the plot is worth it's own serious movie for that. One thing the movie can do rather well is make itself smart, I don't mean in terms of jokes but when you see some of the very long and drawn out quips by Aykroyd, you see not only the smart side of Mankiewicz but also the acting skill of Dan Aykroyd himself.Overall I felt it was actually just about OK and definitely worth a watch for anyone who wants a fun, if not only slightly funny 80's comedy. Ridiculous from start to finish it does fail to capitalise on making itself a Naked Gun type film but does succeed in making itself rather fun and entertaining meaning although your belly wont hurt by the end from laughter, you'll still feel full of fun and a silly kind of feeling. Oh and one more point is on for me the best actor here, in a dramatic way, Christopher Plummer whose straight faced Reverend is both stern and fun and plays well into quite a few jokes too. He proves here why in years after he won an Academy Award(long overdue), and even in a rather failed comedy, still managed to act to his full skill and even potential.