Bulletproof is a buddy-cop action-comedy that capitalizes on the rising star power of its lead actors, Damon Wayans and Adam Sandler. Directed by Ernest Dickerson, the film is a quintessential product of its time, delivering high-octane action sequences and a heavy dose of the quirky, often absurd, humor that made Sandler a standout on Saturday Night Live.
Jack Carter, an undercover police officer played by Wayans, has spent a year infiltrating the operation of ruthless drug lord Frank Colton (James Caan). Carter’s cover identity, “Rock Keats,” finds him developing a genuine friendship with Colton’s loyal henchman, Archie Moses (Sandler).
The film’s conflict kicks off when a routine drug bust goes awry, revealing Carter’s true identity to Archie. With both of their lives on the line, the unlikely pair is forced to go on the run, with Moses’s bumbling incompetence constantly clashing with Carter’s by-the-book professionalism.
The film’s strength lies in the undeniable chemistry between Wayans and Sandler, whose improv-heavy dynamic drives the comedy. Sandler, in particular, delivers the kind of loud, slapstick performance that would define his early career.
Kristen Wilson, James Farentino, Xander Berkeley, Bill Nunn and Monica Potter round out the cast.
A sequel Bulletproof 2 was released on January 7, 2020 starring Faizon Love and Kirk Fox as Carter and Moses and directed by Don Michael Paul.
Adam Sandler and Damon Wayans in Bulletproof (Photo/Universal Pictures)
Reception for Bulletproof
Bulletproof grossed $6 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 1 at the box office, topping Tin Cup, which earned $4.7 million in its fourth weekend.
The film would gross $21.6 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
While not a critical darling, Bulletproof‘s legacy is tied to the careers of its stars and captures a moment in time when Wayans was a comedic force and Adam Sandler was solidifying his transition from television to a film career, following his early hits Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore.
It’s a film that embodies the era’s blend of action and comedy, and for fans of Sandler’s early work, it serves as an entertaining and nostalgic look back.
