What do you do if you can't afford Will Smith and William H Macy to play a comedy caper as a couple of security guards at each other's throats.

Well, you get Martin Lawrence and Steve Zahn, that's what.

Everything about this formulaic affair screams low-budget, from the black and white B-list stars to the bargain basement special effects.

The only area where it appears that a little money's been spent is the script, which occasionally throws up a quip that could be described as more than cut-price.

Earl Montgomery (Lawrence) is a cocky LAPD cadet who gets thrown off the course when he humiliates an instructor with his bombastic auto skills.

He is rudely introduced to patrolman Hank Rafferty (Zahn) - who's mourning the murder of his partner - when he's manhandled while resisting arrest.

Video footage taken by a tourist shows Rafferty apparently beating Montgomery when all he's really doing is fending off a bumble bee.

It's all a bit Rodney King: The Sitcom as Rafferty's thrown off the force and finds himself working for National Security - with Montgomery.

Toss in a spurious story about stolen goods, the gangsters that rubbed out Rafferty's buddy and police corruption and you have, well, nothing new.

Lawrence is a competent comedian and the occasional gag (getting busted for DWB - driving while black) can raise a smile, even if he overdoes the hard-done-by brother spiel.

Zahn is no slouch in the comedy stakes either and does a nice line in moustache-bristling indignation.

However, you can't help feeling the most important member of the cast and crew was the unit accountant...and that doesn't add up.

Tim Evans