R.I.P.D. (Rated PG-13)

You learn something new when you least expect it. But then I am only familiar with standard comic book fare such as “Spider-Man” and “The Green Hornet,” just to name two that readily come to mind for no apparent reason.

I never would have guessed that “R.I.P.D.” is based on a popular Dark Horse comic book. Offhand, I can’t think of a Dark Horse comic right at this moment, which may be a problem if this film is some sort of prophecy.

You see, for those unaware like me, “R.I.P.D.” stands for the Rest in Peace Department, a supernatural police force tasked with arresting lost souls who are hiding out on Earth, escaping Judgment Day.

Jeff Bridges, sporting a bushy goatee and mangling words with his Old West drawl, is just what you would expect for playing the part of an ill-tempered veteran lawman who still resents being eaten by coyotes after his untimely death in the 19th century.

Bridges’ curmudgeonly veteran sheriff Roy Pulsifer, as to be expected of a lawman accustomed to the ways of the Wild West, doesn’t have much use for proper police procedures or even having a partner.

Ryan Reynolds’ Nick Walker is a rising star in the Boston Police Department, who’s conflicted about the insistence of his partner Bobby Hayes (Kevin Bacon) to stash some gold taken in a drug raid.

Operating outside the boundaries of police procedure, Bobby’s reckless and lawless behavior results in the death of his partner Nick in the line of duty during a raid on a criminal hideout.

Meanwhile, Nick leaves behind pretty young wife Julia (Stephanie Szostak), who understandably has questions about her husband’s death while Bobby shows a bit too much attention.

After being gunned down during the violent raid, Nick ends up in a state of purgatory, which turns out to be the Rest in Peace Department, where Mary-Louise Parker’s Proctor is the insufferable police chief.

Unwilling partners, Nick and Roy are teamed up to return to Earth in search of the dead living amongst the general population, with the aim of bringing them back to the other side to face judgment.

These walking dead, not to be confused with zombies, are called “Dead-Os,” and yet, they often morph into huge, fat slobs when confronted by the R.I.P.D.

You could be excused for thinking that “R.I.P.D.” could be confused with “Men in Black,” though the supernatural lawmen are not natty dressers with cool shades. Besides, they aren’t fighting creepy aliens.

Not surprisingly, Nick and Roy don’t much care for each other. Chalk up their differences to a clash of culture and personalities. Roy’s a lone gunslinger with a weary “been there, done that” attitude.

For his part, Nick is too obsessed with trying to communicate with his widow, so that she will know that he wasn’t a corrupt cop looking for an easy big score.

Though he returns to Boston to fight crime, Nick is unable to be recognized. Members of the R.I.P.D. take on a new identity, and in his case, James Hong becomes Nick’s unexpected elderly avatar.

Contrary to expectations and type, Roy’s avatar is a very sexy buxom blonde bombshell, supermodel Marisa Miller, a lingerie model for Victoria’s Secret and cover girl for the swimsuit issue of “Sports Illustrated.”

The concept for “R.I.P.D.” seemed very promising, exploring the rapport between two wholly disparate guys – a newly dead modern-day police officer and his gunslinger counterpart from the Old West.

It also seemed promising that their earthbound avatars were a hot blonde and a middle-aged Asian dude, a combination that appeared hopeful to generate plenty of laughs.

As to the first part, Nick and Roy generate plenty of friction but not enough heat to spark much interest beyond the usual bravado of two macho guys trying to prove their tough guy credentials.

The comedy aspect of their avatars is almost completely wasted. Their appearances are limited to a few scenes, and one can’t help thinking of the comic potential offered by the odd pairing of James Hong and Marisa Miller as crime fighters.

Unfortunately, Jeff Bridges and Ryan Reynolds are also wasted, though the latter has about as much charisma as a plastic bottle while Bridges’ oddball quirks come across as forced and ultimately somewhat irritating.

“R.I.P.D.” ends up being a rather listless, bland exercise despite the formulaic shoot-‘em up theatrics of full scale war waged on the walking dead.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

You may be able to shake off the doldrums engendered by the lethargic effort of “R.I.P.D.” by an indulgence in some Asian gangster film fun in a new DVD release.

Appropriately titled, “The Gangster” is based on a notorious time in Bangkok history where gangsters and the mafia ruled the streets.

From the producers of “Ong Bak 2” and “Dynamite Warrior,” among other releases, “The Gangster” is inspired by the infamous Thai gangster era, when gangsters were heralded as celebrities and heroes.

The film centers on two young men who return to a life of crime after being released from prison. Dealing with younger hoodlums who are drawn to easy money, the film tells the story of two generations of crooks struggling to adapt in a changing environment.

The DVD release of “The Gangster” offers special features including a making of the film and behind the scenes documentary.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.