Ashburn (Sandra Bullock) works for the FBI. She’s rarely wrong, even when it seems she may be. Her people skills, however, are a little lacking. None of her coworkers really like her. This is hurting her chances to get the promotion she’s hoping for. Her only shot is to solve a case against a drug lord in Boston.

Mullins (Melissa McCarthy) is a less than orthodox Boston cop. She’s brash and doesn’t like anyone getting near the criminals she arrests. When Ashburn starts questioning a dealer Mullins busted, things don’t go well. Mullins and Ashburn are competing to solve the case first. Naturally, they find that they must partner together to get to the bottom of the case.

It’s a story that has been done a million times. Two polar opposites must overcome their differences to work together to achieve their goal. This particular telling follows the formula, without adding anything to the style.

Sandra Bullock has shown that she can do well in a comedy. Usually it’s a romantic comedy, but her timing isn’t bad. Unfortunately, I don’t think she’s given a real chance to shine in The Heat. Melissa McCarthy has one character. She plays the foul-mouthed, uncouth woman well. But we’ve seen it before.

In a somewhat predictable script, there are plenty of laughs, but not enough to make the movie what it could be. There is currently a debate as to whether women can carry a comedy on their own, as compared to movies featuring men. Unfortunately, I think the losers in this are the audience. Hollywood is trying to push female comedies without taking the time to really develop them. This is not helping that side of the argument. If they wouldn’t try to rush these comedies out and spend the time to let these headlining women showcase their talents, it would make for higher quality movies. And it would bolster their arguments.

There are plenty of people who love this movie. It didn’t really do anything for me. I like Bullock and McCarthy. Both are very talented. But this movie just left me wanting more, and not in the “always leave them wanting more” way that comedians always strive for. There was a decent comedic pool to play with in this movie, Jane Curtin, Marlon Wayans, Michael Rapaport. Everyone was just a bit underused.

It’s not a terrible movie, but I would definitely wait for the RedBox to see this one. Sorry, ladies.