HOLLYWOOD HOMICIDE

Starring: Harrison Ford, Josh Hartnett, Isaiah Washington, Lolita Davidovich, Lena Olin, Bruce Greenwood, Keith David, Martin Landau, Lou Diamond Phillips

Comedy/thriller

Certificate: 12A

Swearing, sex, violence

Some actors just get better with age and Harrison Ford is a case in point.

The veteran leading man of the Star Wars and Indiana Jones series is back to his sparkling best in Hollywood Homicide, delivering a delightful comic turn as an eccentric cop embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation.

Veteran LAPD homicide detective Joe Gavilan (Ford) is asked to oversee the induction of eager young rookie KC Calden (Hartnett) to the force.

The two cops become involved in the brutal slaying of a rap group, who were reportedly trying to wriggle out of their contract with infamous record label head Sartain (Washington) - a man known to use violence to ensure the loyalty of his stars.

As Joe and KC delve into the facts of the gangland-style slaying, they find evidence of LAPD involvement.

Meanwhile, both men come under scrutiny from tenacious Internal Affairs investigator Benne Macko (Greenwood), who despises Joe because he is dating Macko's ex-girlfriend/clairvoyant, Ruby (Olin).

To confuse matters, Joe may be fudging the accounts of his ailing real estate business, and KC is preoccupied with establishing himself as an actor, which includes rehearsing for a showcase evening of A Streetcar Named Desire.

Hollywood Homicide is an unexpected treat, even if it bombed in the USA, where audiences presumably didn't appreciate the deft mix of comedy and action.

Ford pokes merciless fun at his age and sex symbol status ("If I took the gingko, then I could remember where I put the viagra"), frequently getting out of breath during chases and blundering through bedroom scenes.

His comic timing is exquisite, he develops a rapport with Hartnett, who proves to be more than a pretty face, and the belly laughs are frequent.