Reno 911!: Miami
A rag-tag team of Reno cops are called in to save the day after a terrorist attack disrupts a national police convention in Miami Beach during spring break. Based on the Comedy Central series.
Despite its tight budget of $10.0M, Reno 911!: Miami became a solid performer, earning $20.3M worldwide—a 103% return.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Reno 911!: Miami (2007) demonstrates carefully calibrated narrative architecture, characteristic of Robert Ben Garant's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 23 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.4, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes The Reno Sheriff's Department deputies are shown in their typical incompetent glory, bungling routine police work in Reno, Nevada. This establishes their dysfunctional dynamic and low-stakes world.. Notably, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 9 minutes when The department receives an invitation to a national police convention in Miami Beach. This offers an escape from their mundane Reno existence and a chance for validation.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 20 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The Reno deputies arrive in Miami and enter the convention, leaving their familiar Nevada world behind for the glamorous, high-stakes environment of a national police gathering., moving from reaction to action.
At 40 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat A bioterror attack quarantines all of Miami. All professional police at the convention are trapped inside the quarantine zone, leaving the Reno deputies as the ONLY law enforcement for the entire city. False defeat: they're suddenly in charge but completely unqualified., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 61 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, The deputies are completely overwhelmed and defeated by the criminals. They're captured and humiliated by the biker gang. Their dream of being real cops dies—they face the truth that they're failures who can't handle real police work., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 65 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. The deputies realize that while they may not be good cops, they're all they've got—and Miami needs them. They find courage in each other and decide to face the criminals despite their limitations. Acceptance of who they are combined with new determination., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Reno 911!: Miami's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs proven narrative structure principles that track dramatic progression. By mapping Reno 911!: Miami against these established plot points, we can identify how Robert Ben Garant utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Reno 911!: Miami within the action genre.
Robert Ben Garant's Structural Approach
Among the 2 Robert Ben Garant films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Reno 911!: Miami represents one of the director's most structurally precise works. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Robert Ben Garant filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional action films include The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Bad Guys and Lake Placid. For more Robert Ben Garant analyses, see Balls of Fury.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
The Reno Sheriff's Department deputies are shown in their typical incompetent glory, bungling routine police work in Reno, Nevada. This establishes their dysfunctional dynamic and low-stakes world.
Theme
Lieutenant Dangle mentions that they're "real cops" who deserve recognition. The theme: can incompetent people rise to the occasion when truly needed?
Worldbuilding
Setup of the Reno deputies' world: their absurd dynamics, petty rivalries, romantic tensions (Dangle and Garcia, Jim and Trudy), and complete lack of professional competence. Introduction to all main ensemble characters.
Disruption
The department receives an invitation to a national police convention in Miami Beach. This offers an escape from their mundane Reno existence and a chance for validation.
Resistance
The deputies debate and prepare for Miami. Excitement builds despite their lack of funds and professional credibility. They deal with getting approval, travel logistics, and personal motivations for the trip.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Reno deputies arrive in Miami and enter the convention, leaving their familiar Nevada world behind for the glamorous, high-stakes environment of a national police gathering.
Mirror World
The deputies encounter competent, professional Miami police and other real law enforcement at the convention. This world represents what they could be but aren't—professional, respected, effective.
Premise
Fun and games in Miami: the deputies party, embarrass themselves at the convention, pursue romantic interests, clash with real cops, and generally enjoy being fish out of water in a glamorous setting. The promise of the premise—incompetent Reno cops in Miami.
Midpoint
A bioterror attack quarantines all of Miami. All professional police at the convention are trapped inside the quarantine zone, leaving the Reno deputies as the ONLY law enforcement for the entire city. False defeat: they're suddenly in charge but completely unqualified.
Opposition
Chaos erupts in Miami as criminals take advantage of the absent police. The deputies try to maintain order but face escalating problems: looting, a violent biker gang (led by The Crazy Aces), their own incompetence, and the realization that they're in over their heads. Things get progressively worse.
Collapse
The deputies are completely overwhelmed and defeated by the criminals. They're captured and humiliated by the biker gang. Their dream of being real cops dies—they face the truth that they're failures who can't handle real police work.
Crisis
The deputies hit rock bottom emotionally, facing their inadequacy and contemplating giving up. They process their failure and fear. Dark night of the soul for the ensemble.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
The deputies realize that while they may not be good cops, they're all they've got—and Miami needs them. They find courage in each other and decide to face the criminals despite their limitations. Acceptance of who they are combined with new determination.
Synthesis
The finale: the deputies mount a chaotic, unconventional assault on the criminals. Using their unique (if absurd) skills and working together, they manage to defeat the biker gang and save Miami through dumb luck and accidental competence. Resolution of romantic subplots.
Transformation
The deputies return to Reno as heroes (briefly celebrated in Miami). Back in their mundane world, but they've proven—at least to themselves—that they can rise to the occasion. They're still incompetent, but now with a story of actual heroism. The closing image mirrors the opening but with newfound confidence.