Thing that I have found out over the past few years is that the absolute worst B-movies are the ones that are in the crime/gangster genre!
Nothing more annoying than having to watch a bunch of guys trying to act and sound tough and do a bunch of criminal and despicable stuff and than asks of its viewers to still sympathize with the movie its criminal main character and care about the movie its plot.
That's one of the biggest problems with this movie; there just is no one to care about in this. The main character, played by William DeMeo, is a far from sympathetic one and there are hardly any redeeming qualities about them. It's certainly not impossible to have 'bad' guys as the main characters of a movie and care for them as well but you need to give the viewers a reason to like the protagonist or at the very least sympathize with him and care about his faith. This movie gives you absolutely no reason at all! All characters in this movie make some very poor and at times just plain stupid decisions, which makes it hard to care for any of them and get behind their motivations.
I also have to say that the movie totally lost me after a while! I had absolutely no idea what was going on in the second half of this movie because the storytelling got handled so extremely poorly. It's not just a problem with the second half of the movie but all throughout the movie is lacking a good and clear enough main point to it. It's not like it's building up toward a big heist or hit or something. Or one that's about its main character trying to make it to the top. No, it's just about a bunch of tough guys hanging around, talking, drinking, get girls, do some violent stuff and do some other criminal things. Not very compelling to watch at all! Especially not since all of the characters are such weak- and generic ones.
Thing that also doesn't really work about the movie is that it's trying to blend too many different gangster movie styles. On the one hand it's being a typical, old fashioned, 'Italian' mobster movie about the code and family and such but on the other it's also trying to bring in modern genre elements and newer type of gangsters. That explains the sudden and pointless appearances of some rappers turned actors in this movie, such as Ja Rule and Ice-T.
Who knows, maybe with some more involving characters, emotions and better written drama, this movie still could have worked out as an engaging and more watchable one. The movie as it is, is not the absolute worst one that's out there but it still is a pretty bad- and certainly no recommendable one.
Don't ask me why but when I was younger I would often watch this movie and the first one; "Stakeout". Of those two movies this is the one that has always stayed most in my mind.
Basically this movie is just great entertainment. Like all those type of movies from that period there isn't much to the story and the movie is all about its characters and actors playing them. Compare it to the 'Lethal Weapon' movies, minus all of the action.
This movie does have some fine characters and actors portraying them. Even better is the chemistry they all have. Richard Dreyfuss form Emilio Estevez a great 'buddy' cop duo and Rosie O'Donnell is also a fine addition to the two, basically since she is such a fine comedy actress. It also sort of makes you wonder why Richard Dreyfuss hasn't appeared in more comedy roles. He obviously has the talent and certainly the right timing for it. Guess he better wants to be remembered as a 'serious' actor and who can really blame him for that. The movie further more features Dennis Farina, Miguel Ferrer and Madeleine Stowe.
The movie is filled with some great comedy moments. that mostly, again, work out due to the characters and actors of the movie. The movie has some guaranteed laughs and make this a perfect typical 'no worries' movie. Just sit back and enjoy watching it!
It also shows that John Badham is actually a fine genre director! The timing is great and the pace, editing and positioning all make sure that the comedy in the movie works out even better.
It's too bad that the story just mostly distracts from the movie and its humor. It's just not anything solid, interesting or something that hasn't been done before. But then again, this is all quite typical for the genre and time period it was made in. Basically if you enjoyed one or more of the 'Lethal Weapons' movies, you'll surely enjoy this movie as well.
Guess the movie could had impressed some more by putting in some more and bigger action. The movie now feels quite simple and cheaply made at times, which at times becomes distracting but overall doesn't take away any of the fun of the movie.
I also have to say that the movie totally lost me after a while! I had absolutely no idea what was going on in the second half of this movie because the storytelling got handled so extremely poorly. It's not just a problem with the second half of the movie but all throughout the movie is lacking a good and clear enough main point to it. It's not like it's building up toward a big heist or hit or something. Or one that's about its main character trying to make it to the top. No, it's just about a bunch of tough guys hanging around, talking, drinking, get girls, do some violent stuff and do some other criminal things. Not very compelling to watch at all! Especially not since all of the characters are such weak- and generic ones.
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