He has to find a way to get inside and retrieve the rock. A friend of his makes him a false ID, and he becomes a detective, newly assigned to that station. All he wants to do is get to the air duct and find the gem, but everything conspires against him. He finds himself having to go out on calls with his new partner, Carlson, (played by Luke Wilson). Being a crook himself, he's able to figure out the crimes just like a real detective, and soon he earns the admiration and respect of his colleagues and superiors. But he just wants to get that diamond and get out of there. And so it goes on. Will he ever find the rock? Will he get caught and spend more time in prison? What is a P13 anyway? These are the question we ask as we follow the poor guy's hapless adventures. It's a funny thing that films like this can make you hope that the criminal gets away with it.
This film is an action comedy, it's packed with laughs and also has a fair bit of exciting action. There's an excellent car chase near the end with some great crashes, especially when a large truck smashes through a border patrol. But ultimately it's Lawrence's film, he's a very funny man and is perfect as the zany jewel thief who will stop at nothing to get his jewel.