"Karate Kid Part III" villain Thomas Ian Griffith debuted as star with this routine B level actioner which he also wrote and co-produced. Griffith plays Terry McCain, a Chicago detective hoping to righteously bust pompous mafioso Sal DiMarco (Burt Young). But time and time again, he gets away with everything. After a bust, the mobster believes that either Terry or one of his fellow cops stole some money from him, and all Hell breaks loose.
Overall, this is quite routine, with a script by Griffith that is pretty predictable. It wins no points for originality, but, as directed by Jon Hess ("Watchers"), it entertains adequately. It has sex appeal (but no nudity), a fair amount of bloody violence, and fine use of Chicago locations. The fact that the supporting cast is very strong - it includes Lance Henriksen, James Earl Jones, Tony Todd, and W. Earl Brown of 'Deadwood' fame - does help matters a fair bit. At first glance, it would seem that Jones, as a jazz club proprietor, is sorely under-utilized, but he gets more to do as the story plays out. Young is fine, although he doesn't exactly have to stretch himself. Henriksen and Todd remain great value. Griffith is a reasonably likeable chap, albeit no great shakes as an actor. Still, he makes for a decent action movie star, with a couple of opportunities to show off his martial arts moves (as well as a standard workout scene with which to start off the movie). Charlotte Lewis ("The Golden Child") looks extremely delectable as McCains' ex-wife, but she didn't improve as an actress after that memorable Eddie Murphy vehicle.
Good pacing (this runs a trim 87 minutes) and an atmospheric Charles Bernstein score further aid in the telling of this story, which does lead to the inevitable bloodbath.
Six out of 10.
Overall, this is quite routine, with a script by Griffith that is pretty predictable. It wins no points for originality, but, as directed by Jon Hess ("Watchers"), it entertains adequately. It has sex appeal (but no nudity), a fair amount of bloody violence, and fine use of Chicago locations. The fact that the supporting cast is very strong - it includes Lance Henriksen, James Earl Jones, Tony Todd, and W. Earl Brown of 'Deadwood' fame - does help matters a fair bit. At first glance, it would seem that Jones, as a jazz club proprietor, is sorely under-utilized, but he gets more to do as the story plays out. Young is fine, although he doesn't exactly have to stretch himself. Henriksen and Todd remain great value. Griffith is a reasonably likeable chap, albeit no great shakes as an actor. Still, he makes for a decent action movie star, with a couple of opportunities to show off his martial arts moves (as well as a standard workout scene with which to start off the movie). Charlotte Lewis ("The Golden Child") looks extremely delectable as McCains' ex-wife, but she didn't improve as an actress after that memorable Eddie Murphy vehicle.
Good pacing (this runs a trim 87 minutes) and an atmospheric Charles Bernstein score further aid in the telling of this story, which does lead to the inevitable bloodbath.
Six out of 10.