2 Guns, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg, is due to be released on US cinemas on 2nd August. The film sees a DEA agent and a naval intelligence officer forced to run following their failed attempt at infiltrating a drug cartel. The film has received less than favourable early critical reviews.

Denzel Washington
Denzel Washington at the premiere of 2 Guns in New York.

Many have described the action film as being cliché and lacking in a cohesive plot or particularly strong characters. Keith Uhlich of Time Out New York said the movie "quickly degenerates into boilerplate Hollywood sound and fury, complete with a climactic Mexican stand-off that revolves around a massive, burning pile of money".

The typicality of 2 Guns is something certain critics have recognised and appreciated. On the director, Baltasar Kormakur, Variety's Scott Foundas said "he knows his way around an action movie better than most, keeping the pace quick, the banter lively and the old-school, mostly CGI-free thrills delivering right on schedule."

Watch the 2 Guns movie trailer:

However, the actors and their characters are likable which encouraged some critics to be more lenient. John Defore of The Hollywood Reporter said "charm makes up for the ludicrous plotting in twist-heavy crime story."

2 Guns stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg whilst Paula Patton features as Washington's love interest. The film also stars the likes of Bill Paxton, Fred Ward, James Marsden and Edward James Olmos.

2 Guns is released in US cinemas on 2nd August and in UK cinemas on 16th August. 

Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg at the premiere of 2 Guns.

Paula Patton
Paula Patton at the 2 Guns premiere.