Vince Vaughn as a drug kingpin. Think about that for a second. In 2004, the guy was basically the king of the "Frat Pack," usually playing the fast-talking best friend who’s more interested in cocktails than crime. But in the Starsky and Hutch movie reboot, he stepped into the shoes of Reese Feldman. He wasn't just a generic bad guy. He was a wealthy, somewhat neurotic businessman trying to move "New Coke"—a version of cocaine that was completely undetectable by drug dogs because it smelled and tasted like artificial sweetener.
It was a weird time for movies.
The film itself was a tongue-in-cheek riff on the classic 70s TV show. Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson had their "buddy cop" chemistry down to a science, but Vaughn’s performance as Feldman gave the movie a grounded, albeit hilarious, anchor. He played it straight. Well, straight-ish.
Why Vince Vaughn’s Reese Feldman Worked
Most people remember the iconic red-and-white Ford Gran Torino or Snoop Dogg’s legendary turn as Huggy Bear. Honestly, though? The movie doesn't work without a villain you actually believe is a threat, even if he is hosting a Bat Mitzvah for his daughter in the middle of a drug deal.
Vaughn approached the role with a specific kind of deadpan intensity. He didn't play Reese Feldman as a cartoon. Instead, he played him as a man who genuinely believed he was a visionary businessman. He just happened to be selling massive quantities of narcotics.
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The "New Coke" Plot
The central conflict involves Feldman's invention: a non-scent drug that looks like sugar. This led to one of the most famous scenes in the movie where Starsky (Stiller) accidentally puts the "sugar" in his coffee before a disco dance-off. Vaughn’s reaction to these unfolding disasters is always one of mild, professional annoyance.
He treats the detectives like a nuisance rather than a mortal threat, which makes his eventual downfall much more satisfying. You’ve probably seen the clip of him on his yacht at the end. Total chaos.
A Snapshot of the Frat Pack Era
To understand why Starsky and Hutch Vince Vaughn is such a specific cultural touchstone, you have to look at the year 2004. This was the peak of a very specific type of comedy. We're talking about Dodgeball, Anchorman, and Old School.
- Directed by Todd Phillips: Before he was making The Joker, Phillips was the mastermind behind these high-energy comedies.
- The Cast Connection: Many of the actors in Starsky and Hutch had just worked together on Old School (2003), including Vaughn and Will Ferrell (who has a wild cameo as Big Earl).
- Box Office Success: The movie pulled in over $170 million worldwide. It wasn't just a niche hit; it was a massive studio win.
Vaughn was arguably the most "dangerous" member of that comedy troupe. He had a physical presence—he's 6'5"—that allowed him to switch from funny to intimidating in about two seconds. In Starsky and Hutch, he uses that height to tower over Stiller, adding a layer of physical comedy that doesn't need a single line of dialogue.
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What Most People Forget About the Film
While the movie is a spoof, it actually paid a lot of respect to the original 1970s series. Paul Michael Glaser and David Soul (the original Starsky and Hutch) even make a cameo at the end to hand over the keys to a new Gran Torino.
But back to Vaughn.
His character, Reese Feldman, is a bit of a fashion icon in a very "bad 70s" way. The leather jackets, the open collars, the mustache—it all screams "nouveau riche criminal." He wasn't trying to be cool. He was trying to be rich. There's a big difference, and Vaughn nailed that nuance.
Key Moments for Vince Vaughn in the Movie:
- The Bat Mitzvah: Managing a massive drug shipment while ensuring his daughter has a perfect party.
- The Caddy Scene: Dealing with Huggy Bear (Snoop Dogg) acting as his caddy on the golf course.
- The Yacht Finale: The classic "villain escaping on a boat" trope, played with just enough desperation to keep it funny.
The Legacy of Reese Feldman
Looking back, this was one of the last times we saw Vaughn play a "pure" villain in a comedy before he transitioned into the massive lead roles like Wedding Crashers and The Break-Up. It showed he could play the foil just as well as he could play the lead.
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Some critics at the time felt the movie was aimless. They weren't entirely wrong. It’s a series of sketches tied together by a thin plot. But when those sketches involve Vince Vaughn trying to explain the chemistry of undetectable cocaine to a group of investors, it doesn't really matter if the plot is "tight."
How to Revisit Starsky and Hutch Today
If you’re looking to rewatch it, don't go in expecting a gritty crime drama. It’s a time capsule of 2004 comedy.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Watch for the Cameos: Beyond the big names, look for Patton Oswalt as a disco DJ and Jason Bateman as Feldman’s right-hand man, Kevin.
- Check the Soundtrack: The movie features some incredible 70s tracks like "Dancing Machine" and "Feel Like Makin' Love" that really set the vibe.
- Observe the Improv: You can tell where Stiller, Wilson, and Vaughn are riffing. The dialogue has a loose, natural flow that was the trademark of that era’s comedy.
Vince Vaughn's performance remains a standout because he didn't wink at the camera. He stayed in character, even when things got ridiculous. That’s the secret to good comedy—take the absurd seriously.
To see more of this specific era of filmmaking, your best bet is to look into the early collaborations between Todd Phillips and the core Frat Pack members. The chemistry in Starsky and Hutch wasn't an accident; it was the result of a group of friends at the top of their game.