National Security

Two LAPD "counselors" (a.k.a. beat cops), Hank Rafferty and Charlie McFadden, are rivals who are constantly trying to outdo each other. After a confrontation with a mysterious man named Hank and Charlie witness a murder, they are framed for the murder and have to go on the run to clear their names. They discover that the murder is part of a larger plot involving illegal arms dealing and the theft of a government weapon. It's up to them to stop the criminals and expose the truth, all while dealing with their own friction.

National Security was met with overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics and was a box office disappointment. Reviewers largely criticized the film's predictable plot, weak humor, and uninspired action sequences, while some acknowledged the chemistry between the leads.

• The film suffers from a derivative plot and a lack of fresh comedic ideas.
• Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn's chemistry is insufficient to salvage the weak script and uninspired action.
• The humor often falls flat, and the action sequences lack excitement.

Google audience: Audience reviews indicate that while some viewers found the film to be a passable comedy with some entertaining moments from the lead actors, many were disappointed by the unoriginal story and predictable jokes, finding it to be a forgettable action-comedy.

Steve Zahn initially turned down the role of Charlie McFadden because he felt the script was too similar to other buddy cop comedies he had already done, but he eventually accepted after the script was reworked to give his character more depth and quirkiness.