CRAIG R. BAXLEY
Bil’s rating (out of 5): BB.5.
Mundane, routine thriller features a great lead character mired in a simple storyline. Carl Weathers is terrific as the title hero, a tough Detroit cop who discovers that an automobile emperor (Craig T. Nelson) is resorting to the nastiest techniques to eliminate his own competition (namely, murder). When Weathers ends up unfairly implicated in a murder thanks to Nelson’s scheming, he decides to go after him with a furious vengeance. Vanity is weak as a drug-addict who turns out to be helpful in bringing the bad guy to justice, while also winning the hero’s heart. Sharon Stone also appears as the bad guy’s well-intentioned wife. Don’t expect too much.
Lorimar Film Entertainment, Silver Pictures
USA, 1988
Directed by Craig R. Baxley
Screenplay by Robert Reneau
Cinematography by Matthew F. Leonetti
Produced by Joel Silver
Music by Herbie Hancock, Michael Kamen
Production Design by Virginia L. Randolph
Costume Design by Marilyn Vance
Film Editing by Mark Helfrich
