| I recently watched the film Third World Cop and I must | | | | is not the best film quality, but there are so many other |
| say it is a great film for the student of Jamaican Patois | | | | gems in this movie. From a language perspective, this |
| or anyone that wants to learn to speak Jamaican. The | | | | movie is in the top 5 for Jamaican Patois. The |
| movie is based in Kingston, Jamaica, and has an all | | | | language largely used throughout the film is Patois and |
| Jamaican cast that is made up of famous dancehall | | | | the DVD allows you to use subtitles, so this really helps |
| artists like Elephant Man and Ninjaman and many | | | | in building your understanding. The most famous patois |
| prominent Jamaican actors and actresses. For anyone | | | | expression in the movie is "We run tings, tings nuh run |
| that has seen Dancehall Queen, many members of | | | | we." The pronunciation is that of native speakers so |
| the cast also play a role in Third World Cop such as | | | | you hear the words in the right context and emotions. |
| Paul Campbell, Mark Danvers and Audrey Reid. | | | | You also see people greeting each other and just |
| The movie is the story of a police office from | | | | having everyday interaction. This is invaluable and |
| Kingston who goes by the name Capone (Paul | | | | makes the film well worth watching. |
| Campbell). Capone is transfered from Port Antonio | | | | From a cultural standpoint, the film also sheds light on |
| back to Kingston in an effort to breakdown the | | | | the "bad man" element of Jamaica. This is a recurring |
| organized crime occurring in the Dungle neighborhood | | | | theme in many Jamaican films. A "Bad Man" is a |
| of Kingston, where Capone is originally from. Upon his | | | | gangster for all intensive purposes and many of the |
| return to Kingston, Capone is given the assignment to | | | | Jamaican movies that are not focused on Rastafari |
| investigate gun smuggling into the neighborhood. When | | | | put emphasis on the gangster element of Jamaica. |
| Capone goes to the Dungle, he learns that his best | | | | Along with the "bad man" you see the role of the |
| friend's little brother, Ratty, is a huge community leader. | | | | police in Jamaican society and how much respect or |
| Although, Ratty is a hero in the community, he is much | | | | lack thereof the community has for them. Finally, like |
| more involved in the underworld dealings than people | | | | most films based in the developing world, there is a |
| would like to believe. When Capone learns that Ratty | | | | glimpse into the struggle of people trying to make |
| is involved, he does everything he can to stop and help | | | | something of themselves, but still being held down by |
| Ratty and also stop the criminal kingpins arming the | | | | other forces. |
| neighborhood. | | | | All in all, I say this film is well worth your time and really |
| I do not want to give too much of the movie away | | | | worth buying. As mentioned, the film is invaluable in |
| because I truly think it holds a special place for the | | | | learning to speak Jamaican. I would highly recommend |
| person looking to learn how to speak Jamaican. No, | | | | this film. |
| the movie will never be a Hollywood blockbuster and it | | | | |