However, as screen time progresses, the humor does too, and Philips and clan have not totally chickened out with the restrictions at hand; there’s some good stuff in here even if this movie probably would’ve been a blast with harsher material.

Ever since director/co-writer Philips came out with Road Trip (B), the filmmaker has won over moviegoers with his fun gross-out humor and amusing characters. Though Old School (B) avoided gross-outs for the most part, it was very enjoyable, with a few spots of big laughs.

In this case, Starsky & Hutch does have a bit in common with Old School in the ways of its style – the main actors are very tolerable and their material takes the project a notch higher. Neither of the films are grand in execution, as they’re just plain fun, with the plot being an unimportant element to the moviegoer. Starsky is the kind of flick that fulfills a night out at the movies, as it entertains and brings out an adequate amount of laughter and breezy chuckles.

Starsky & Hutch is an adaptation of the 1970’s television series of the same name ala S.W.A.T. (C). Ben Stiller stars as Starsky, a loser cop with looks that kill (his physical appearance can easily keep chuckles going throughout the movie). His partner, Hutch (Owen Wilson), is the opposite, carrying the right mojo with women and always keeps his cool. Together they are to seek help from Huggy Bear (Snoop Dogg), a police snitch, to track down drug kingpin, Reese Feldman (Vince Vaughn).

Throughout Starsky & Hutch, it is very apparent that Todd Philips and co-writer Scot Armstrong could care less about the story woven around this film. This flick is very simplistic to the point where plot points never really make an impact – we’re simply waiting for the jokes and gags to be presented, with the ambition of getting on the floor laughing at some point. With many movies, this approach can easily fall flat with what can be dumb punch lines, or what is otherwise known as the Saturday Night Live spin-off syndrome.

But Philips and Armstrong have played it right – even without a real premise, Starsky & Hutch keeps the viewer in anticipation for the jokes, and they come at a reasonably good speed, with a few sequences making it difficult for me to stop laughing (as well as the audience).

Though the movie is fun and enjoyable, it’s got its weaknesses. The few cameos (with Will Ferrell in particular) do present fine moments of comedy, but co-stars like Juliette Lewis, Vince Vaughn, and Amy Smart are underplayed, requiring stronger material to make a sufficient impact. Vaughn at first sight might induce a chuckle, but the effect wears off soon, with his presence being not quite up to par with his delivery in Old School. As the menacing villain, it is hard to fear him let alone care, though as mentioned before, Philips and Armstrong probably weren’t too concerned with that story component.

The movie in general feels somewhat loose/tacky in its filmmaking, but it's got a certain spark to it that is irresistible. Philips has obviously done his homework on the genre and the period setting, as the set pieces and wardrobes are right on, as is the addicting and groovy soundtrack that shows up throughout the show. One scene in particular involving a dance challenge at a disco joint would probably produce audience applause with some crowds if the segment was written accordingly (and with the right tunes attached), but instead the scene is merely amusing.

The end result of Starsky & Hutch is simply an entertaining flick that kills time, but does so skillfully. The story element of the film almost makes the feature rank with more of a moderately successful rating (B-), but given some moments that had me laughing pretty hard and its offering of easy chuckles, the film saves itself. This is not exactly a movie to eagerly look forward to, but in terms of a flick to catch on a Friday or Saturday night with a packed audience, Starsky & Hutch will likely please and hand over what is craved.