Colin Koran

“Short Time” is categorized as a comedy. But it’s not really funny. Where it excels far better is in the action category. The villains are REALLY bad guys, and steal many of the scenes. Sentimental moments with Burts family are a bit sappy but they do help add some depth and more personal meaning to the main plot. As much as they slow the film down, they are helpful in establishing the emotion that drives so much of what influences Burts decisions, so its hard to complain too much about something so integral to the plot. Matt Frewer plays Burts partner, Ernie (Burt and Ernie, get it?). Ernie is the comedic side of the film. Frewer likely could have played a more serious, less idiotic role, and still been effective. Halfway through the film, there is a well made car chase helping connect the main plot of Burt and his attempts at dying on the job, with the smuggling side-plot.Great stuntwork, no CGI. Near the end, another good action sequence appears, one which was completely and blatantly ripped off later on in an episode of “Monk”. I like “Monk” a lot, but hey, to be fair, this film did it first. Character chemistry is passable, the story is clearly told, with most parts easily explained. What it lacks in laughs, it successfully makes up for in action and drama.