Street Kings is a formulaic Los Angeles crime drama, but it’s at least an interesting formulaic Los Angeles crime drama. True to its James Ellroy roots, it offers up a stoic, hard-nosed detective (affably played by Keanu Reeves) looking to clean up his mess and his conscience in a corrupt police force where the winnings more often than not fall in the laps of the men at the top. And true to David Ayer’s directorial vision (the writer behind 2005's Harsh Times and 2001's Training Day), the L.A. playground that occupies these men is dark, gritty and explosive. So what if you see the ending coming by the 17th minute? There’s still plenty here to enjoy.
