| Third World Cop | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Chris Browne |
| Written by | Chris Browne Suzanne Fenn Chris Salewicz |
| Produced by | Chris Blackwell |
| Starring | Paul Campbell |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 98 minutes |
| Languages | Jamaican Patois English |
| Budget | J$500,000 |
| Box office | J$21 million |
Third World Cop is a 1999 Jamaican action crime film directed by Chris Browne and starring Paul Campbell. It was produced by Chris Blackwell of Island Jamaica Films. It became the highest-grossing Jamaican film.
After his partner is gunned down by local criminals, undercover policeman Capone (Paul Campbell) is reassigned to crime-infested Kingston, Jamaica. With his new partner Floyd (Winston Bell), Capone is tasked with patrolling the streets of his hometown Dungle. On his first day there, Capone infiltrates an arms trafficking ring with ties to the local Latter Day Saints Church of Christ; a shootout ensues and Capone kills three smugglers. While pursuing several leads, he reunites with his childhood friends, particularly producer Ratty (Mark Danvers) and old flame Rita (Audrey Reid). Unbeknownst to Capone, Ratty is involved in the arms trafficking. Ratty invites Capone to the club, where he is introduced to Ratty's one-handed boss Wonie (Carl Bradshaw) and chances upon a couple of smugglers; he sneaks into their car and discovers that the gang is using several more churches as fronts.
Capone pays Ratty a house visit and inadvertently discovers evidence of his involvement in crime. Initially feigning ignorance, Capone subsequently warns Ratty to be careful. Later on, Capone and Floyd raid a warehouse used by Wonie's gang. Capone fatally shoots a childhood acquaintance who was also in Wonie's employ, but Ratty and the other gang members manage to flee. On the pretext of his possessing cannabis, Wonie is brought into questioning but Capone begrudgingly releases him after he is unable to find any evidence regarding his arms trafficking on his laptop. The police superintendent informs Capone that mercenaries Not Nice (Lenford Salmon) and Deportee (Desmond Ballentine) have also been enlisted to take down the gang, although they will work independently from Capone. Dressed as a drag queen, Capone tracks down Ratty, who has since gone into hiding, and persuades him to testify against Wonie.
Wonie learns of Capone's plan and ambushes Floyd and him while they are on the road with Ratty. Capone takes down Wonie's henchmen, while Floyd apprehends the ringleader. In the midst of the confusion, Ratty, fearful of the repercussions for snitching, burns his testimony. Ratty makes a desperate attempt to shoot Capone but is killed by him instead; a wistful Capone mourns for his onetime friend and solemnly walks away.
Time described the film's soundtrack as an "engaging mix of reggae and hip-hop-influenced dance hall"; the film features a cover of Junior Marvin 's "Police and Thieves" by reggae artist Luciano as well as music by dancehall performers Beenie Man, Innocent Crew, and Lady G, among others. [1] The 13-title soundtrack album was produced by drummer Sly Dunbar and bassist Robert Shakespeare. [2]
Third World Cop ran for twelve weeks in Jamaican cinemas. [3] It was released in the United Kingdom on 28 February 2000 [4] and in the United States on 21 April 2000. [2]
Third World Cop was a commercial success, breaking the box office records held by Home Alone 2 and Dancehall Queen in Jamaica. [5] It became the highest-grossing Jamaican film ever with J$21 million in the local box office. [6]
A. O. Scott remarked that "true idiom (of Third World Cop) is the universal language of cop-movie cliche". [7] Los Angeles Times reviewer Kenneth Turan described the plot as "old-fashioned" and a "genial case of gangster meets gangsta on the streets of Jamaica", but added that the film offered "an absorbing glimpse into the poorest, most dangerous parts of Kingston". [8] In a review for The Guardian , Peter Bradshaw wrote that the film had "undeniable brio, brashness and style", while also pointing out its "rough-and-ready plot from a familiar template". [9]
Mark Anthony Myrie, professionally known by his stage name Buju Banton, is a Jamaican reggae dancehall musician. He is one of the most significant and well-regarded artists in Jamaican music. Banton has collaborated with many international artists, including those in the hip hop, Latin and punk rock genres, as well as the sons of Bob Marley.
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Cecil Bustamente Campbell, known professionally as Prince Buster, was a Jamaican singer-songwriter and producer. The records he released in the 1960s influenced and shaped the course of Jamaican contemporary music and created a legacy of work that would be drawn upon later by reggae and ska artists.
Bobby Dixon, known as Bobby Digital, was a Jamaican reggae and dancehall producer. He was given his nickname "Bobby Digital" because King Jammy, with whom he worked in the mid-1980s, had begun experimenting with digital rhythms at around the same time. He owned the Digital B label, and among the artists with hits on the label are Shabba Ranks and Sizzla. He has influenced reggae artists such as Admiral Tibet.
Paul Campbell is a Jamaican actor. He is considered Jamaica's most popular actor and had leading roles in films such as Dancehall Queen, The Lunatic, Third World Cop, Shottas and Out the Gate. In addition to his roles in most modern Jamaican films, he has also acted on stage in Jamaica and on Broadway in New York City. He is also a painter whose works have been exhibited internationally.
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Cherine Tanya Anderson is a Jamaican dancehall/reggae vocalist and actress.
Voice of Jamaica is the third studio album by Jamaican dancehall reggae artist Buju Banton. It was released on August 3, 1993 via Mercury Records/PolyGram and was his international debut. Its remastered and expanded edition was released in 2002 with additional tracks. Recorded in Kingston and New York City, the album is considered to be the one that introduced Banton to the world outside Jamaica, also bringing dancehall to the wider world.
Donovan Germain is a reggae producer, one of the most successful of the digital era.
Tivoli Gardens is a neighbourhood in Kingston, Jamaica. Developed as a renewal project between 1963 and 1965, the neighbourhood continued to suffer from poverty. By the late twentieth century it had become a center of drug trafficking activity and social unrest. Repeated confrontations took place between law enforcement and gunmen in the neighbourhood in 1997, 2001, 2005, 2008, and 2010.
Floyd West, also known as the Pied Piper, is a contemporary Reggae roots singer and songwriter from Jamaica. Born and raised in Portmore Saint Catherine, Floyd started music from an early age singing in a church choir. He was encouraged by his mother and sister who also sang in the local choir.
Carl Bradshaw OD is a Jamaican actor and film producer who has been described as "Jamaica's most renowned actor" and "arguably Jamaica's premier actor".
Desmond John Ballentine, better known as Ninjaman, and sometimes as Don Gorgon is a Jamaican dancehall deejay and actor, known for his controversial and pro-gun lyrics and his stuttering and melodramatic style. In 2017, he received a life sentence for murder.
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Despite Jamaica never having a very strong film industry, the island has produced notable films from the 1970s onwards. The most critically acclaimed film is The Harder They Come (1972), by Perry Henzell, which received international acclaim. The Jamaican government and various private citizens have tried to promote the creation of new films by the creation of certain agencies such as the Jamaican Film Commission, and film festivals such as the Reggae Film Festival. The Harder They Come sparked trends that were apparent in following films such as Dancehall Queen and One Love, both directed by Don Letts and Rick Elgood.
Rockfort is a community in Kingston, Jamaica that is bounded by Long Mountain range to the north, the sea and Springfield Gardens to the south, Mountain View and Rollington Town to the west, and Harbour View to the east.
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