Kopps (2003) Poster

(2003)

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8/10
Not as brilliant as "Jalla, Jalla!" but a great laugh
ewok27120 April 2004
If you're looking for real comedy and humor, this is the movie to watch. Especially if you like the previous movie, Jalla,Jalla! by the same director (and many of the same actors) this one is a must. However don't be disappointed if the quality is not as high as Fares's debut.

It's more filled with stupid jokes and the characters are not as thoroughly deepened as you would like. On the other hand, the plot (paper thin as it may be) very original and you feel good by it. Moreover the special effects are unexpectedly good for a swedish film. It may be clear that I liked this one very much and I can really recommend it! ...
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8/10
Well done, Mr.Fares!
MaxBorg898 November 2005
After box office hit Jalla!Jalla!, Josef Fares comes with another comedy, which is a total gas.

It's about some policemen in small-town Sweden who, crime being absent, spend most of their time, and they've got a lot of it, eating hot dogs at the local snack bar. Their biggest problem is a cow occasionally running in the street. Suddenly, they find out the police station is gonna shut down since there are no criminals around. At this point, the four protagonists(including Jalla-veterans Fares Fares and Torkel Peterson) decide to "raise the statistic". The results are hilarious...

The movie is really funny and the characters are nice and believable, with the exception of Benny(Torkel Peterson), a complete moron who thinks he's Neo, Rambo and John McClane in one person. Nevertheless, Peterson is actually the main reason I kept laughing while watching the film.

The only problem, if I can call it a problem, is the fact that some gags are a little bit too, you know, Swedish. For example, when the "kopps" accidentally blow up the previously mentioned snack bar, Benny's first reaction is "Oh sh*t! Where the hell are we gonna have lunch now?".

Aside from that, there's no reason people shouldn't watch, and enjoy, this amusing film.

8,5/10
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8/10
Good comedy
tomimt19 May 2005
Small Swedish village is pretty much free of all crime. Police force doesn't have much else to do than to loiter around, hoping for something to happen. But one day they hear, that their work place is under cancellation threat, so they must boost up their arrest and crime rate to keep their beloved police station.

They figure out, that if they don't have crime they might as well start doing crime themselves.

Hardly never movies with this kind of settings are good but Kopps does fine exception from that rule. A funny film with good acting and great jokes. Especially the crimes and descriptions of "Russian mafia" shoot outs and such are hilarious and well done.

My thumbs up.
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7/10
Hilarious.
rainking_es11 July 2006
When one thinks about Northern European cinema you think about frozen landscapes, desert towns, drama, Bergman, Liv Ullman, Von trier... You wouldn't relate Sweden or Denmark to the crazy comedy, but that's what you're gonna find in "Kopps": a small town and four cops whose jobs are at risk (no crime = no need of cops). Now, what are they gonna do? Can you figure it out? Well, if you can't just give "Kopps" a chance.

OK, it's not one of the best movies ever, but it's much more funny than most of nowadays Hollywood comedies. It's full of hilarious situations and crazy characters (the police dog is a Chihuahua!!).

*My rate: 7/10
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7/10
Very very Funny ! Great Film !
Jose Guilherme10 September 2003
I'm not to big a fan of movies that make you laugh only with slapstick comedy... and this film surely goes beyond the silly. It made me laugh with some very good parody, with great situations and finally with very loveable characters. Its a smart comedy no doubt. I highly recommend it. The rythm is great... your never bored or know whats coming up next.
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6/10
Incomplete
kz712 December 2003
There's an interesting idea and some cleverness but somehow the jokes are not as funny as they could be. The movie could have some good drama (at least it attempts to have it) but the moment is over too soon and left too shallow. The references to movies like Matrix and Back to the Future don't work as well as they could - they seem merely additions made when the budget wasn't used completely. It's a nice try and can be entertaining but after it's over you won't miss it.

Rating: 6/10
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7/10
Good Cops? Bad Cops? Kopps was alright cops. This police farce movie was somewhat funny.
ironhorse_iv12 June 2017
Warning: Spoilers
For the vast majority of police, sitting in his or her patrol car and stopping motorists for traffic violations would really be a slow day. For the police force of the Swedish town of Högsboträsk, it's every day & it's starting to be, a problem. Crime to so low, that their station is in danger of being closed. Fearing closure, a few, good cops started to do, a few bad things in order to prevent that. However, an out of the city, superior Jessica Lindblad (Eva Röse) is starting to become suspicious. Can the small town cops, be able to get away with the crimes, and preserve their jobs or will the outsider chief inspector, catch up with them? Watch the movie, to find out! Without spoiling the comedy film, too much, I have to say, while, the movie does have some flaws. I wouldn't call the movie, awful. It wasn't police brutality of any kind. This movie directed by Josef Fares was watchable for the most part. Somewhat enjoyable. Nevertheless, the movie is not as funny as it should had been; due to odd mixer of having dry, long drawn out adult driven filler scenes intermingle with quick cut, outrageous childish slapstick daydreaming comedy. It made the movie, more jarring and confusing, than anything else. A good example is the opening to 'Cops'. Instead, of starting the film, with the crew on patrol. This Swedish film instead, opens with the main character, Jacob (Fares Fares) on a blind date, answering question. Not once, during, this date, did he mention what he does for a living, nor establish how quiet, the town was. The dialogue was little to nothing to work with, and it just ends with abruptly with nothing really, much said. It's so strange, why that scene was even there!? Honestly, when I think, deep about it, that scene, was not needed, due to the fact, that bitter couple cops, Lasse (Göran Ragnerstam) & Agneta (Sissela Kyle) bring up his horrible skills in building relationships, a few scenes later. So, why does Josef Fares felt like he needed to open with that!? Also, what the deal with the cop out ending. Without spoiling too much of it. It was disappointing and weak. It also seem very unrealistic, seeing how other agencies, was involved, yet, none of them, reported it. Also, the whole pizza business that one of the cops, came up with, comes out of nowhere. It kinda ruins, the whole driving force, why they want to protect their jobs. Honestly, I would love to see, an ending similar to 2001's 'Super Trooper', instead. Anyways, the comedy quickly spirals more out of control, when they introduce Benny (Torkel Petersson), whom daydreaming sequences, are a mixed bag for me. While, some of these silly super cop fantasy set pieces were extremely amusing, like the reasons, why the hotdog stand was burned to the ground AKA 1995's 'Die Hard with a Vengeance' & the notorious 'dick gun' sequence. Others jokes fall flat for me, like Benny dreaming of himself, driving a DeLorean like 1985's 'Back to the Future' or him, doing slow motion flips like 1999's 'the Matrix'. It was all, over the place. Its things like the examples, I mention, are the reasons, why you shouldn't hired, four screenwriters to beef your script. They all have, different ideas of where the story should be steered at, with none of their jokes really connecting. Despite that, the movie does have some positive things about it. For a foreign international film, where the main language is in Swedish. The dialogue is easy to understand with English subtitles. There isn't a lot of deep Swedish cultural references or slang in this film, so I didn't get as confused, on what they meant, like other foreign language comedies. Honestly, with the look of the film. The story could had pass, as something that came from the Great White North. It's just that transparent with its American influences. Also, most of the Cops were, pretty likable & relatable, even, if some of their characteristic were one note. Still, if I have to nitpick, I felt the cops in the film, should had target on people that kinda deserved, their property being damaged, rather than them, targeting innocent good people like Kent (Sven-Åke Gustavsson) & Janne (Viktor Friberg), just because one of them, always cook sausages. I felt, like the town needed more jerks. It would had made me, feel a little more sympathetic to the cops cause if the cops targeted them. Overall: While, on the surface level, this film might seem like it's just another parody with cops that we had seen before like 1984's "Police Academy' & 2003's 'Reno 911'. "Kopps' did surprised me, by twisting the clichés comedy script, by having the bumbling cops do the crime, in order to save their jobs. Because of that, I can say, it's a film, worth watching, at least once, because how unique, the premise was. I just wish some of the gun kata fantasy sequence were more imaginative. Don't know if the Adam Sandler's version will ever be made, but at least, we have this to look back, on. So do your duty, and check it out!
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10/10
Laughter, laughter and laughter!
mrnomore11 September 2003
I think that this movie can´t be taken to seriously. If you read other comments you will find a lots of complains. I say: Don´t pay to much attention to those. Although this movie is childish and predictable, its content is funny as hell and the actors are perfect for their rolls.

Don´t crap it down people because it was a long time ago that i had such fun at the cinema! Go Fares!! 10/10 for the comedy!
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this movie rocks!
ltarex10 July 2004
I just saw this movie in cinema yesterday and I cannot say anything else. Not seeing the director's previous film "Jalla!Jalla!" I first saw this Swedish filmmaking style. The movie is really humorous with a good plot and great characters.

The four cops are great characters. The best is Benny who believes that he is a "Die Hard" style supercop who kills masked terrorists and avoid their bullets "Matrix"-style. But there are several good moments and an original atmosphere in this film.

I just cannot say more. Entertaining movie with great special effects for a comedy.
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7/10
Swedish small-town drama meets over-the-top action-comedy
fredrikgunerius5 August 2023
Josef Fares' follow-up to his successful debut Jalla, Jalla is an enjoyable combination of characteristic Swedish small-town drama and over-the-top action-comedy. Much of the comedy is carried by the character Benny the Cop, who is a brilliant invention by Fares and actor Torkel Petersson. When he plays out his childish fantasies of being a hero, it's like watching a tweener pretend playing with newfound but not total inhibitions. Benny and his colleagues Jacob, played by the director's brother Fares Fares, and Lasse (Göran Ragnerstam) start staging various crimes in their slumbering town when they realize their police station is under consideration for closing down. The ensuing situational comedy is sometimes hilarious and sometimes feeble, but always heartwarming.
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4/10
Too fast Mr. Fares
stensson11 July 2003
Josef Fares had a success (in Sweden) making "Jalla, Jalla!". That film was a little overestimated, but it put some humour into the immigration questions in Sweden, although still being serious.

"Kopps" is mostly childish, telling the story about the village police station getting closed and the local policemen trying to make crime statistics much worse than in reality. Sometimes it's embarrassing, including gags on the level of some 15-year-old director.

They say Hollywood has bought the script and probably this can be done much better there. Josef Fares seems to have had a much too easy ride after "Jalla, Jalla!"
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10/10
great comedy!
Maverick_4 April 2003
"Kopps" was a really funny comedy. The way life is in a typical sleepy smalltown is portrayed perfectly, and the different characters are all funny in their own ways. The idea here is that a police station is threatened to shut down, because in this smalltown there hasn't been a serious crime for ten years. The policemen realize that something has to be done... and soon they're in deep trouble. I recommend it! 4.5/5
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7/10
A Original, satirical and very funny film about perspective on culture
alexanderliljefors14 September 2023
A very unique, satirical, clever, original and genuinely funny swedish drama-comedy-thriller making fun of the Swedish society.

Very good acting and very good directed! Brilliant written! Especially by Fares Fares and Eva Röse!

Its truly a very funny film. A film that pokes fun at reversed roles and culture clashes in society.

Very nicley editited!

Making fun of the swedish small town drama meets typical over-the-top american actionthriller.

A very unique type and style of Swedish film, which i really appreciate!

The Fares brothers makes another fantastic job together!

I really recommend it! A Swedish piece you definitely should see!
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5/10
amusing premise goes over the top
FilmLabRat19 January 2004
Definitely a funny film in many respects, with a great premise. A small-town police force threatened with closing stages crimes to alter statistics. However, some of the elements, especially in the chase scene, soared over the top to the point of annoyance. If you like farce and "gross-out comedy," you may really like this one.
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9/10
Great Swedish Comedy -- Worth Checking Out!
MisterBurlesque5 August 2005
Kopps is a very entertaining Swedish comedy from the opening of the film to the final credits. Like most Swedish films, the cinematography is exceptional and the acting is top-notch. What makes this find stand apart is the screenplay is well-written and humorous. It's accessible to large audiences. Most people will enjoy this film. Each character in the film is unique and a joy to watch. It has a good story, and does very well at capturing small town life in modern-day Sweden. This film is not an historical period piece or set on a rural farm, which is refreshing. And it's better than most Hollywood movies. This director has a real future in film-making.
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3/10
Missed the target
diand_7 July 2005
After the mildly entertaining Jalla! Jalla! this is two steps down for director Josef Fares who tries hard to make this work but it just won't get off the ground. All the basic ingredients for a good comedy are present: a funny story (local police post has to shut down due to low crime rates, so the police start bringing the crime to town) and actors who are suitable for this kind of screwball comedy.

But it is badly written, most jokes are average and some fall flat. And as comedy is about timing, timing is not something Josef Fares handles well during the whole movie. It all reminded me a bit of Airplane!: When in a certain mood you can laugh about it, but take a closer and more detailed look and it's actually not very funny.

Strong points are when Kopps is breaking its own screwball form with the action fantasies of Benny (Torkel Petersson) as an American super-cop.

At first you won't expect such light-hearted comedy from the country of Bergman. Because his style is very well suited for children, I would advise Josef Fares to make movies for that age (and I am serious here). For the time being I prefer Lukas Moodysson with his current evolution to radical movies in form and content.
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8/10
Funny stuff
slayer_de_lebay4 April 2003
Good Swedish comedy, which makes fun of American hard core action movies! Excellent filming and special effects. The actors, especially poor Benny, are doing a great job. In this film, you will find a kind of old, jolly good Monty Python humor as well. You have to see this one!
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Funniest movie ever
akagi-122 June 2003
I have seen this movie yesterday, and since i do have some real life police-officer duty experience, only think that i can say about it is, that is it goddamned real :-) I thought that the police guys should vary in each country, but when i was watching this movie i was recognizing lot of friends there :-)))

Another great part of the movie is, that they are solving real life problems, as each one of us do.

Overall feeling: Funniest movie of last decade.
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5/10
it just wasn't as good...
morning-418 May 2003
...as i'd hoped it would be. jalla jalla was a real surprise when i first saw the movie, and perhaps i was hoping for a sequal for jalla jalla. it wasn't, although the actors were mostly the same, with some luck. it's a good film by any scandinavian comparison, but it can also seem that fares got so much funding for kopps (based on his last, excellent film), that he used more time hiring pyro-specialists than making a storyline.
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8/10
I liked it.
Yuzzi28 June 2006
Kopps (eng. "Cops") is a Swedish comedy, which tells about a small town with no crime. The police forces are satisfied with that, spending most of their time in a snack bar.

But the cops' life stops smiling, when they hear that the police forces are possibly going out of order, due to the low amount of crime. They have no choice, but do something about the too low amount of crime, but how are polices supposed to do that?

My favorite character was Benny, the guy who had watched too many Hollywood films. He was often caught daydreaming as a super cop. There is an animated gif-file on the Internet, where Benny beats three criminals without even firing his gun with his hands. Might be worth finding that clip.
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10/10
Kopps r the best!!!!!
sloWWWenia1 June 2004
I've seen this movie twice in the cinema and about 5 times on DVD!I love it sooooooo much!!!!The story is totally original and the acting is brilliant!!!!The special effects,.......I'm speechless!!!Honeswtly people!This is a Swedish movie with special effects like in Matrix or in Die Hard!This is a parody on many American action movies per example:Matrix,Die Hard,Rambo,etc.There is even love in this movie between Jessica(who wants to close local Police station) and Jacob(the policeman).The humor is original,typically Swedish,but still amazing!tHE ACTORS :Torkel Petersson is one of the best Swedish young comics on this time.Josef Fares and Fares Fares are actually Libanons,who moved to Sweden.Whwn Josef was 21,he was accepted to the Swedish Film Academy in Stockholm.He also directed another box office hit,Jalla Jalla,the film I also liked it.In this movie,you can see a brother,Fares Fares and a Father Fares.So this movie is totally Fares family movie and i really recommend it!
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10/10
One of the funniest movies ever made
Movie-watcher-20004 December 2013
I am usually not a big fan of Swedish films, since most of them is painfully bad. All the "Beck", "Wallander" and "Johan Falk" movies are the same. Uninspired and pointless cop movies. Kopps is a little bit different. It not only managed to rival movies such as "Sällskapsresan" as the funniest Swedish movie ever, it stands up very good internationally as well.

"Kopps" mix hilarious comedy with a Swedish small town setting, and the result is fantastic. For anyone interested in having a fun time this is a must see. It is really special, and I am certain that this one can be appreciated by audiences outside of Sweden to.

I regard this as one of the best comedies ever.
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8/10
One of the funniest Swedish movies the last couple of years.
hawken24 November 2003
The two Fares does it again and even is better than ever!

Director Josef Fares does an even better movie than "Jalla! Jalla!" (2000) and his brother Fares Fares is excellent in the lead role as a cop in a small Swedish Town.

But my favorite is Torkel Petterson in the role as Benny. Benny is a sweat guy who makes headbands to his fellow police men, but dreams of becoming a hard neck American cop.

If you want an easy and funny movie make sure to see this one!
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10/10
This is the "Top Gun" for the Swedish police force
danielatala82 January 2023
Just kidding haha! But it would be funny if this film incited more people to join the police force just as Top Gun did for the air force. However, I don't think that's the case for Kopps here in Sweden, nevertheless it still stands as one of the most iconic films from Josef Fares who's been a very influential film in Swedish comedy culture. This movie was also a big part of my own upbringing in Sweden as an immigrant child, so I feel a close connection to this one.

Kopps follows the life of Jacob who works at the police force in a very small village, you know the deal, everyone knows everyone, no crime, only one restaurant where they sell hot dogs and waffles. We get to know the other members of the police force as well! Either way it's a very comfortable life, until that is all shaken by the arrival of Jessica a worker from the Swedish police force HQ that says that they are gonna need to close the police force in the village down due to them having no crime for more than 10 years... so in order to keep their small police force to stay they're going to need to up the crime statistics in their town, with hilarious results!

Let's start with the obvious, this film is FUNNY, I love the humour, it's a blend of reference humour to awkward to quirky to slapstick which is blended in a very fun way. Josef Fares knows his way around a punch line which is also played to every actors strength, as you'll see they're all very good comedians who even do standup and comedy in real life as well (most notably Sissela Kyle in this group). It's also filmed in a very charming manner, like an ode to those American films but in a very small town way, so the film has its own aesthetic despite being a comedy movie (who mostly don't have a good aesthetic). It's very simple but don't let that fool you, it looks beautiful in its simplicity even! I also appreciate the length of this movie, it is short but sweet. It's crazy how all films are almost always 2 hours long nowadays, really don't like that.

Even the music is alright! Making its own tribute to those action film soundtracks but in a small town Swedish movie.

If there's any negatives to say about this movie I guess the ending feels a bit anticlimactic? I won't spoil it here but it ends in a punchline that is funny however they should've done a little bit more to make that punchline deserved.

(It's still a great ending but if I made it I would've changed some of it!).

Check it out if you want a piece of Swedish pop culture, it's a film that's been almost everywhere and everyone knows about it, both this one and Jalla Jalla are amazing!
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8/10
I laughed way too often.
mansour-alkazie17 May 2012
I believe this is one of the most funniest films I have seen in a while. Personally I believe it was better than some movies that are chucked furiously out of the American film industry. The film contained rather predictable and over exaggerated scenes but were absolutely hilarious because of it. The story line was a good idea. The filming, the editing and the camera work were awesome, with a over-dramatised feel to it all that helped make this film even more enjoyable to watch. The characters were amusing and actors that played the roles did their job great! The film only needed a few minor adjustments including adding more action, but it wouldn't have been necessary for the story line.

This is the first Swedish subtitled film I have seen, and I believe it was totally worth it!

To cut it short, it was a funny film that was great to pass the time with.

First review!
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