I suppose The Hard Way is a better movie than I initially gave it props for. Yes, the plot is formulaic to the point where you are saying, "Are there any more ideas left in Hollywood?" I predicted nearly everything that happened, yet...I had fun. This action/comedy, which stars James Woods and Michael J. Fox as unlikely buddies, has lots of energy reminiscent of screwball comedies from the days of Old Hollywood. Both Fox and Woods work off one another and Daniel Pyne's/Lem Dobb's screenplay allows both actors some room to say and do crazy stuff. Admittedly, some of the lines are hilarious. The final half of the movie is about crazy action and special effects that rarely wants to let up. Think about the Mt. Rushmore scene in North by Northwest and change the setting to Times Square. As a New York resident, I think it is fun to see everyone's favorite tourist destination get leveled in some crazy action sequences. In an era where action films were at their best, this is a smaller, underrated one. John Badham, who is no stranger to genre pictures, delivers a film that is bursting with radiant energy, and that is able to overcome a predictable formula seen in buddy cop features.
Badham directed one of the more criminally underrated films of the 1980's, WarGames. He handled a relevant topic and handled it with grace and proved he could direct action scenes although I feel like I would not classify that film as an action film. He is back directing one of the underrated action films of the 90's that is at its best when it leans on its comedy for the first two-thirds. The final act is an action galore and it does lose some steam because the action, although professional looking (thanks to Donald McAlpine's sharp cinematography), Badham lets the action run too long. If 10-15 minutes were trimmed from the final runtime, we would have gotten ourselves something special. Alas, there is still much to enjoy here.
Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox) is a movie star who wants to break out of his "nice guy" image. In order to land a tougher role, he feels like it's important to learn from the real thing. One day while watching the news, he is in awe of NYPD Detective John Moss (James Woods) and his tough-guy persona. Moss is going after a serial killer named the Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because he murders his victims at actual parties/discos. Moss's boss, Captain Brix (Delroy Lindo) is a huge fan of Lang's and pairs him up with Moss, who believes Lang is out of touch with reality. As Moss goes after the Wedding Crasher, the last thing he needs is an ultra-annoying sidekick. But, they may need each other more than the two men realize.
While it's nice to see James Woods play an angry, arrogant cop that spits a million words a minute, it is nothing new for him. I was more keenly interested to see how Michael J. Fox would fare in a role far from his spitting image. He isn't the nice kid from Back to the Future but the man who would find himself in the middle of gritty action while capable of delivering one-liners. Well, Fox delivered on doing something new, and his character is great! He had great comedic timing with Woods. The older actor actually admitted it was hard being mean to Fox because he is such a likable character. The cast is sprinkled with solid (if not limited) supporting roles. Lang is a tough villain known for his mayhem on the NYC streets. Annabella Sciorra is good as Moss's girlfriend. Delroy Lindo plays a great starstruck captain. Not to mention good turns from Christina Ricci and Luis Guzman.
The Hard Way is nothing special in terms of story. The plot is recycled from better action movies. Yet, Badham and his cast created an energetic film that works because of the comedic banter between James Woods and Michael J. Fox. The action is fun but it eventually grows a little stale. When people talk about action movies from the era, it is all about Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. I think people should include The Hard Way into the conversation even if it is not the very best. If anything, see it for Michael J. Fox.
My Grade: B-
Badham directed one of the more criminally underrated films of the 1980's, WarGames. He handled a relevant topic and handled it with grace and proved he could direct action scenes although I feel like I would not classify that film as an action film. He is back directing one of the underrated action films of the 90's that is at its best when it leans on its comedy for the first two-thirds. The final act is an action galore and it does lose some steam because the action, although professional looking (thanks to Donald McAlpine's sharp cinematography), Badham lets the action run too long. If 10-15 minutes were trimmed from the final runtime, we would have gotten ourselves something special. Alas, there is still much to enjoy here.
Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox) is a movie star who wants to break out of his "nice guy" image. In order to land a tougher role, he feels like it's important to learn from the real thing. One day while watching the news, he is in awe of NYPD Detective John Moss (James Woods) and his tough-guy persona. Moss is going after a serial killer named the Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because he murders his victims at actual parties/discos. Moss's boss, Captain Brix (Delroy Lindo) is a huge fan of Lang's and pairs him up with Moss, who believes Lang is out of touch with reality. As Moss goes after the Wedding Crasher, the last thing he needs is an ultra-annoying sidekick. But, they may need each other more than the two men realize.
While it's nice to see James Woods play an angry, arrogant cop that spits a million words a minute, it is nothing new for him. I was more keenly interested to see how Michael J. Fox would fare in a role far from his spitting image. He isn't the nice kid from Back to the Future but the man who would find himself in the middle of gritty action while capable of delivering one-liners. Well, Fox delivered on doing something new, and his character is great! He had great comedic timing with Woods. The older actor actually admitted it was hard being mean to Fox because he is such a likable character. The cast is sprinkled with solid (if not limited) supporting roles. Lang is a tough villain known for his mayhem on the NYC streets. Annabella Sciorra is good as Moss's girlfriend. Delroy Lindo plays a great starstruck captain. Not to mention good turns from Christina Ricci and Luis Guzman.
The Hard Way is nothing special in terms of story. The plot is recycled from better action movies. Yet, Badham and his cast created an energetic film that works because of the comedic banter between James Woods and Michael J. Fox. The action is fun but it eventually grows a little stale. When people talk about action movies from the era, it is all about Die Hard or Lethal Weapon. I think people should include The Hard Way into the conversation even if it is not the very best. If anything, see it for Michael J. Fox.
My Grade: B-