Dragnet (1987) film undergoes retrospective re-evaluation

The 1987 action-comedy film Dragnet, starring Tom Hanks and Dan Aykroyd, is being re-evaluated by viewers following its availability on Netflix. The film serves as a parody of the original Jack Webb television series, which featured the rigid, no-nonsense character Joe Friday.

While the film is noted for its premise of bringing the 1950s-style morality of the original series into the excess of 1980s Los Angeles, modern critiques suggest the movie struggles to maintain its comedic momentum. Some viewers find the performances of Hanks and Aykroyd to be highlights, particularly the contrast between Aykroyd’s meticulous straight man and Hanks’ more energetic comedic style, but others describe the experience as a slog that fails to fully realize its potential as a feature-length parody.