SPYWITNESS

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"This is a rough, tough R-rated cop movie about L.A. by an L.A. director," Fox Searchlight president Peter Rice reminded co-stars Keanu Reeves, Forest Whitaker and Chris Evans at the premiere of "Street Kings" Thursday night.

Reeves managed not to spill his popcorn during the blood-filled screening at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, a pregnant Minnie Driver made it through the film, and Whitaker was delighted by a compliment from a fan. "Hey, that guy says I'm a really good bad cop," Forest told wife Keisha at the after-party at Element.

"Street Kings" definitely won't be used as an LAPD-recruiting tool. But that didn't stop former police chief Daryl Gates from making a cameo appearance.

"I was a little worried about the negative image of cops, and this is certainly not the right way to reduce local crime," Gates, 81, said as he left the noisy party. "But there are some realistic aspects."

One of the film's few good cops agreed. "I learned I'm not cut out to be a cop during a sickening scene shot in a real morgue," said Evans. "It's easy to understand why Mr. Gates wants to start acting."

>JOEL STRATTE-McCLURE/