The Mod Squad (1999)

Three minor delinquints (Danes, Ribisi, and Epps) are recruited by a cop (Farina) working undercover to bust a cop/drug ring. When the officer who recruited them is killed, they go above ... See full summary »

Director:

Scott Silver

Writers:

Buddy Ruskin (characters), Stephen Kay

Stars:

Claire Danes, Omar Epps, Giovanni Ribisi

7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Claire Danes	...	Julie
Giovanni Ribisi	...	Pete
Omar Epps	...	Linc
Dennis Farina	...	Greer
Josh Brolin	...	Billy
Steve Harris	...	Briggs
Richard Jenkins	...	Mothershed
Larry Brandenburg	...	Eckford
Lionel Mark Smith	...	Lanier
Sam McMurray	...	Tricky
Michael O'Neill	...	Greene
Stephen Kay	...	Bald Dude (as Stephen T. Kay)
Bodhi Elfman	...	Gilbert - Skinny Freak (as Bodhi Pine Elfman)
Holmes Osborne	...	Mr. Cochrane
Dey Young	...	Mrs. Cochrane

Storyline

Three minor delinquints (Danes, Ribisi, and Epps) are recruited by a cop (Farina) working undercover to bust a cop/drug ring. When the officer who recruited them is killed, they go above and beyond the call of duty to solve the murder; and bust the drug ring. Suffering the jibes, and ridicule of fellow officers; they struggle to save their names, and that of their deceased benefactor.

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Plot Keywords:

drug ring | drugs | murder | undercover | based on cult favorite | 

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Taglines:

They did the crime, They paid the time, Now they're...undercover?

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, violence and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 March 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Brigade spéciale

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$6,064,716, 28 March 1999, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$13,260,050, 27 June 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Omar Epps mentioned in several interviews that he greatly disliked the denim Levi's clothes he and the cast had to wear because the jeans were very tight. He mentioned that there are several moments captured on screen during film where he wears a frown and grimace facial expression due to his jeans being too tight. The clothing in the film was specifically customized and provided by Levi's. When the film was released, Levi's put out denim commercials featuring Epps, Danes, and Ribisi.

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Goofs

When Julie Barnes attempted to call Greer, you can clearly see two outlets on the phone receiver; however there is no cord going to the phone. It is an empty phone.

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Quotes

[Julie hits Pete across the head]
Julie: Nice job.
Pete: Okay, I really did not like that at all, all right? Let me just explain somethin'. I was blending.
Julie: You just blended your ass right out of the club, man
Pete: Oh, come on! They're gonna let me back in the club.
Julie: Oh no, I believe the words were "you're gone for-f*cking-ever." Greer's gonna kick your ass
Pete: Hey you know what? Eat me.
Julie: Come on. Lets go. You wanna lose another fight, Petey?
Pete: No. Who was the guy that you were talkin' to all night?
Julie: What guy?
[...]

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Worst Movies Based on a TV Series (2014)

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Soundtracks

Party Is Goin' on Over Here
Written by Busta Rhymes (as Trevor Smith) and DJ Scratch (as George Spivey)
Performed by Busta Rhymes
Courtesy of Flipmode Entertainment/Elektra Entertainment Group
By Arrangement with Warner Special Products

User Reviews

Highly underrated Gen-X angst picture

So many reviews I have read rail on the poor quality of the film. The two biggest complaints are lack of adult dialogue and lack of action. Me, I thought it was one of the best movies I have ever seen. They are kids, not adults. That's the way kids talk. As far as action, I found the emotional struggles to be far more compelling than the action scenes (which, do not, BTW, define a good film). One user even commented that there is no way kids could get around by themselves like that. I was a kid living on the streets when I was younger, and what they accomplish in the movie is certainly not the least of what I have personally witnessed on the street.

For those who think only kids like this movie, I am 24. I think this film has been judged by all the wrong standards, and that not enough credibility is given to this straightforward portrayal of kids in trouble.

If you think kids are incapable of these things, try watching the movie "Kids."