Prime Video's looking like the place to be for action comedies this summer.
In the coming months, the Amazon streaming service will be home to the chaotic buddy comedy "Heads of State" and the new Eddie Murphy movie, "The Pickup." As of June 12, the streamer is also home to a brand-new crime comedy that's impressed viewers who've already tuned in.
The movie in question? Tom Kingsley's "Deep Cover." It's a breezy British action-comedy that puts three improv performers — Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, and Nick Mohammed — in a very precarious position.
Our trio is recruited for an unorthodox operation that sees them tangling with menacing figures from London's criminal underworld to increasingly outlandish results.
I had a great time with "Deep Cover" (you can see why below), other reviews are looking similarly positive, and the film has shot straight into the Prime Video top 10 movies list (it's currently ranked #3) within a day of its release.
With all that buzz behind it, I wouldn't be surprised if would-be viewers are trying to decide whether to stream "Deep Cover" on Prime Video. Below, you can find a little more info about the new movie, and what I and other critics have to say about "Deep Cover."
What is 'Deep Cover' about?
"Deep Cover" is a crime comedy that throws us in with three performers from differing walks of life who find themselves taking a gig that sends them deep undercover.
Down-on-her-luck improv teacher Kat (Bryce Dallas Howard) is offered a lucrative role to pretend to be a rough and ready gangster by an undercover cop (Sean Bean) who wants her to infiltrate a crew of drug dealers.
To fulfill the mission, Kat recruits two of her students, "serious" actor Marlon (Orlando Bloom) and hapless office worker Hugh (Nick Mohammed). The trio sets out to impersonate dangerous criminals... and soon find their new gig spiraling way out of control.
"Deep Cover" also stars Paddy Considine, Sonoya Mizuno, Ian McShane, Ben Ashenden, Alexander Owen, and Omid Djalili, among others.
Should you stream 'Deep Cover' on Prime Video?
Having watched it myself, I'd suggest giving "Deep Cover" a shot. It's a sharply written, farcical London-set crime caper — imagine a classic, gritty Guy Ritchie watch, but amp up the absurdities, the comedy, and tone down the bad language and the violence — that offers moderate thrills, but plenty of laughs.
All three of our major players are on fine form as their respective characters, but it's Orlando Bloom's turn as "serious actor" Marlon who stands out the most. Marlon's committed to his role as the gang's muscle, no matter how deep the group gets, and as such, he's responsible for some of my favorite moments of the entire film.
The action sequences might not be all that exciting, but once the mission's underway, "Deep Cover" moves along at a clip, sketch-comedy style, and makes up for the so-so action with plenty of great lines.. Sprinkle in some satisfying twists and solid turns from the supporting cast, and you've got a solid watch, one that's a cut above plenty of the year's streaming originals.
Need a second opinion? Well, I've got good news: I'm not the only person who enjoyed "Deep Cover."
As of my latest update to this story, Prime Video's new release has earned a 95% critic rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has a Popcornmeter score only marginally lower (82%).
For example, Empire's Ben Travis gave the movie a 4-star review, praising the "ingenious" central conceit, writing, "Does "Deep Cover" work as an improv comedy? Yes, and it delivers strong characterisation, a twisty crime story, and great performances too. End scene."
Likewise, Ready Steady Cut's Jonathon Wilson also offered a 4-star verdict, calling "Deep Cover" a "near-perfect popcorn entertainment" and describing it as "an action-comedy with okay action and really funny comedy that puts its all-star cast to work playing exaggerated pastiches of their usual screen personas."
Reviewing at RogerEbert.com, Brian Tallerico offered a 3/4 star rating, calling "Deep Cover" "one of the most surprisingly funny films of the year so far," adding: "Howard, Bloom, Mohammed, & the straight men character actors they play off vibe in continuously unexpected ways. In the end, it’s got that energy that so many streaming comedies are missing."
Variety critic Guy Lodge offered a more measured response, saying the movie "never quite explodes into hilarity," adding: "this knockabout farce neither dies nor kills, even as its onscreen body count ramps up: It just chugs along enthusiastically for 99 minutes, throwing about a lot of slapstick and a lot of quips, but only intermittently landing an outright laugh."
In short, the answer is... yes, if you're looking for a laugh or a fast-moving, silly crime comedy, you should go stream "Deep Cover" on Prime Video. It's easy, fun viewing that should satisfy those looking for some daft action-comedy antics.
Not sold on "Deep Cover," but still looking for something new to watch on Prime Video? We can help. Check out our guide to the best movies on Prime Video for tons of top streaming recommendations perfect for your next movie night.
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