National Security

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National Security

PG-13

Released Jan 17, 2003

1h 28m

Comedy

Action

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Popcornmeter

11%

Tomatometer

89 Reviews

46%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), a bombastic police academy reject, and Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), a disgraced, mild-mannered cop, can't seem to escape each other. They met on opposite sides of the law during a routine traffic stop that escalated out of control; now as lowly security guards they're thrown together to bust a smuggling operation.

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Critics Consensus

The action in National Security is mindless, while the humor says nothing insightful about racial issues.

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Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Indistinguishable dumb action comedy.

Rated: 1/5

Dec 26, 2010

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

This is lowest common dominator filmmaking in every sense of the word, which shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone familiar with the oeuvre of director Dennis Dugan.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 19, 2003

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Alan Morrison

Empire Magazine

This is a two-star movie dragged down a star because of its unrepentant racism.

Rated: 1/5

Apr 21, 2003

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Jae-Ha Kim

Jae-Ha Kim

If you want to get philosophical about "National Security," you could ask yourself this: Would you be able to forgive and perhaps even befriend the man who wrongly accused you of a crime that got you sent to prison?

Rated: 2/4

Jul 28, 2023

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Leigh Paatsch

Herald Sun (Australia)

All the good stuff can be guffawed at in the opening half-hour. After that, you're on your own.

Rated: 2/5

May 5, 2020

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Mark Halverson

Sacramento News & Review

Rated: 1/5

Aug 7, 2008

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Brayden C

One of my favorite movies Steve Zahn and Martin Lawrence had great acting,it’s a funny movie to I would just ignore all the old heads saying complaining about Martin Lawrence being “racist” it’s really not that big of a deal

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/09/25

Full Review

Stephen C

Funny in 1 hour and 28 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated PG-13 for Some Sensuality, Language and Violence!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $35,800,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/21/25

Full Review

José M

The Apocalypse NOW(1979) of Buddy cop comedies, with funny scenes for example Earl Montgomery hitting his partner to scare a Bumblebee...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/25

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Jadan J

Great Movie Martin Lawrence Funny was always wish we go a sequel 💯

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/25

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Farah R

Not funny in the slightest.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

10/11/24

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alan g

Martin Lawrence at his best. Which means it is a very bad, unfunny movie. A plague is better. He can't act. Only scream. He isn't now and never was funny. Only annoying.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

03/08/25

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Dennis Dugan

Director

Martin Lawrence

Earl Montgomery

Steve Zahn

Hank Rafferty

Colm Feore

Detective Frank McDuff

Bill Duke

Lieutenant Washington

Eric Roberts

Nash

National Security: Official Clip - Soda Factory Shootout

1:36

National Security: Official Clip - You're a Pig!

3:19

National Security: Official Clip - Junkyard Chase

1:40

National Security: Official Clip - Officer Down!

1:33

National Security: Official Clip - Police Academy Chase

3:04

National Security: Official Clip - Traffic Stop

1:33

National Security: Official Clip - Hotwire Hijinks

2:48

National Security: Official Clip - Clifftop Showdown

2:27

National Security: Official Clip - Explosive Shootout

1:47

National Security: Official Clip - Meeting His Ex

1:57

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Synopsis

Earl Montgomery (Martin Lawrence), a bombastic police academy reject, and Hank Rafferty (Steve Zahn), a disgraced, mild-mannered cop, can't seem to escape each other. They met on opposite sides of the law during a routine traffic stop that escalated out of control; now as lowly security guards they're thrown together to bust a smuggling operation.

Director: Dennis Dugan
Producer: Bobby Newmyer, Jeffrey Silver, Michael Green
Screenwriter: David Ronn, Jay Scherick
Distributor: Columbia Pictures
Production Co: Columbia, Outlaw Productions, Intermedia Films
Rating: PG-13 (Some Sensuality|Language|Violence)
Genre: Comedy, Action
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 17, 2003, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Apr 16, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $35.8M
Runtime: 1h 28m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby A, SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital, Dolby SR

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