48 Hrs. (1982) review

San Francisco Inspector Jack Cates (Nick Nolte) is having a difficult time capturing escaped convict Ganz (James Remar) as well as his accomplice Billy Bear (Sonny Landham), so he arranges for Ganz's former partner Reggie Hammond (Eddie Murphy) to be freed from prison for two days to help him out.  This is credited as being one of the first "buddy cop" movies (even though they don't get along whatsoever) and the contrast between Cates' growling brute and Hammond's flippant joker makes for an interesting dynamic, but the brooding machismo and "tough guy" banter quickly becomes irritating (they throw a bunch of punches and slurs at each other) and the actual plot is kind of patchy and not that compelling.  I feel like later releases in the same genre (including Beverly Hills Cop, Lethal Weapon, Rush Hour, etc.) would take the "formula" and improve on it, mostly by making them lighter in tone: audiences tend to appreciate it when the boys in blue are bumbling dolts who, by sheer luck, snag the bad guys and save the city.