Edison, the city in Edison Force, is your average, sprawling metropolis. What was once a haven for all forms of criminals  has been transformed into a clean and prosperous burg, thanks to the efforts of Edison's "F.R.A.T."-- the town's First Reponse Assault & Tactical law enforcement unit. But peace comes at a price, as F.R.A.T. includes members of a secret organization who gladly falsify crime reports and confiscate evidence money to finance their own dirty dealings. All of this has remained a well-guarded secret, until budding journalist Josh Pollack (Justin Timberlake) gets wind of something fishy and decides to follow his nose in search of a story.

Using the advice of his grizzled but experienced editor (Morgan Freeman), Josh dives head-first into getting to the bottom of F.R.A.T.'s illegal escapades, uncovering a web of corruption that stretches all the way to the office of Edison's own district attorney (Cary Elwes). But finding the truth comes at a high cost, as Josh finds himself and those he loves being threatened by the officers of F.R.A.T. Still, the intrepid reporter struggles to finish his story with the help of the unit's one honest cop (LL Cool J) while staying alive in the process.

Usually when an esteemed group of actors are all gathered in the same film like this, one smiles and looks forward to seeing such screen greats play off one another. But I'm puzzled here. Not that Edison Force is a bad film -- it's just by-the-books and nothing special. So what was there about this movie that drew in so many big names? Edison Force is an average cop movie, albeit one with a slightly different slant to give it a more intriguing edge. Once writer/director David J. Burke introduces these elements and raises some interesting questions as he starts poking into the subject of journalistic integrity, he fails to follow through with them. 

There are numerous times when Edison Force shows the kind of film it could have been, but more than a few red flags are raised when Burke flirts with the idea of F.R.A.T. turning Edison into a "fascist state" and switches gears, settling for being something more routine. To watch Edison Force is to see a story come close to being a gritty tale of corruption and investigative journalism, only to bring down the whole house of cards with yet another car chase.

The players of Edison Force are a varied bunch who either try their best to rise above the material or accept its B-level status and simply try to finish the movie with some dignity. Freeman turns in a terrific performance as Josh's wise but ornery boss, a Pulitzer Prize winner and acclaimed photojournalist who reluctantly guides Josh through his murky search for the truth. Pop singer Timberlake, making his film debut as a leading man (with a role in the third Shrek movie on the way next year), has the basic demeanor of his character down pat (fresh-faced kid getting in way over his head), but the guy could still use som acting classes. LL Cool J fares decently as a F.R.A.T. cop who tends to break the group's rules (doesn't enjoy engaging in illegal activities, has a girlfriend, etc.). 

Less fortunate are the following: Kevin Spacey, whose appearance as an investigator from the D.A.'s office doesn't even pack a fraction of the energy he gave Lex Luthor in Superman Returns; Piper Perabo, stuck with the thankless role of Josh's girlfriend; and Cary Elwes and Dylan McDermott, both of whom act like they were getting paid by the yell.

At first I was confused concerning why Edison Force was chosen to be July's 99-cent rental at a nearby video store. That's odd for a straight-to-DVD release which the store only received eight copies of. But after watching this movie, I realize this strategy works in favor of the viewer. The DVD  isn't bad enough to make someone else rent it, yet not good enough to warrant a full rental price. Edison Force is an average little film that's at least worth shelling out a dollar to see.

MY RATING: ** 1/2 (out of ****)

(Released by Sony Pictures and rated "R" for strong violence and language, brief drug use.)