The Hard Way (Widescreen)

 

 

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It's not one of the more prominent feathers in Michael J. Fox's cap, but The Hard Way is a perfectly entertaining film with plenty of action and more than a few laughs. The plot certainly doesn't break any new ground, there aren't any real surprises along the way, and the ending definitely qualifies as over-the-top, but the whole thing works pretty darn well - thanks largely to the performances of Fox and James Woods.

Michael J. Fox plays box-office sensation Nick Lang, star of The Smoking Gunn movies; he has it all, but he wants more. He's tired of playing Indiana Jones clones and yearns for a more serious role - such as the part of tough cop Ray Casanov in an upcoming film. He wants it so badly that, after seeing a television interview with Detective Lt. John Moss (James Woods) of NYPD, he uses his star power clout to get himself riding shotgun with Moss for two weeks in order to prepare himself for the audition. Moss, as you might imagine, is none too happy about having to baby-sit a movie star he doesn't even like - especially since it takes him off a big case. The Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) has been killing indiscriminately, and the whole case has become personal for Moss. The guy calls in his crimes before he commits them, and he's been eyeball to eyeball with Moss, yet he keeps getting away. Moss is determined to get rid of his new partner "Ray Casanov" as soon as possible so that he can get back to the case he considers his own.

The new partners get into a number of situations, as you might expect, with Casanov always getting in the way or - worse yet - actually trying to play the part of a real cop. Moss can't even shake the guy away from work, as Lang tries to spend every moment studying the cop's life firsthand - including Moss' flailing relationship with his girlfriend Susan (Annabella Sciorra). It's easy to predict how everything will turn out in the end, yet the journey to that ending turns out to be surprisingly entertaining.

I'm not sure how successful this film was at the box office - heck, I don't even remember hearing about this film back in 1991. It's sort of a sleeper, though - the kind of film that appears to be too buried in clich's and predictability to really succeed, yet succeed it does. Maybe it's Woods' intense performance that never crosses the fine line between realism and farce, or Fox's energetic performance as the spoiled actor who really wants to learn the ropes from a cop he genuinely admires (no matter how badly Moss treats him). Whatever it is, The Hard Way is a surprisingly enjoyable romp of a film.

The Hard Way is the amaze me with action and adventure also with comedy Michael J. Fox plays as the Hollywood actor, Nick Lang and James Woods as John Moss, the toughest cop in New York City to track down the serial killer, The Party Crasher(Stephen Lang)
and Nick Lang named as the new partner name is Ray Cassanov, also co-starring includes LL Cool J, Christina Ricci, Penny Marshall, and Delroy Lindo.

One of my all time favorites.Its just a fun high.one of those movies that,no matter what mood Im in, makes me snap out of it.This dvd has some cool extras not listed above,so it was a nice suprise when I threw it in my player.A making of,an awsome ll cool j music video,theatrical trailer,videodrome trailer,casino trailer,frighteners trailer,secret of my success trailer.Why there not advertized i dont know,but I do know this movie rocks the boat baby.

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4.0 out of 5 stars They were fun to watch!
I am a james woods fan and a big MJF fan so i just made to enjoy this one. Rent it first to make sure you agree, cause I am the only one in the family that cares for this movie.

Published on Jun 20 2003 by JediMack

5.0 out of 5 stars ??????????
Still waiting for my stuff,since september 27th.
Havent received...

Published on Oct 27 2002 by devils hill

5.0 out of 5 stars Where is my stuff?
I havent received yet.It was supposed delivered latest in OKT 9,and even my account information says it has arrived in my post office in OKT 4.
Who should i blame?

Published on Oct 11 2002 by devils hill

5.0 out of 5 stars Hysterically funny while dramatic
This movie is very funny and has a good story to keep you interested from start to finish. There are twists & turns that you won't expect. Read more

Published on Dec 30 2001 by creativedawn

5.0 out of 5 stars An underrated action/comedy thriller.
Director John Badham(Stakeout Films, Saturday Night Fever, Short Circuit) bring out one of his most entertaining movie and certainly his best work as a film director. Read more

Published on Sep 3 2000 by LUCIEN LESSARD

4.0 out of 5 stars Hillarious, James Woods proves to be quite a comedian.
Mixing Comedy and Action always makes the greatest movies in my books. the Beverly Hills Cop movies, Stakeout, Tango & Cash, 48 hours. Read more

Published on Nov 21 1999 by Bradley Tobin

5.0 out of 5 stars great action
this is a cool movie, and it's nice too see michael j fox in action. both he and james woods give a great perfomance. nice work

Published on Jun 28 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars This movie's an excellent bad influence
Action is action, but the thing that makes this movie worth one's time is the dialogue. If your tongue is getting dull, this film makes a wonderful whetstone. Read more

Published on May 22 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars High-energy action-comedy, great fun film for a Friday night
I've always thought of The Hard Way as more of an action-packed comedy than an action-adventure film. Read more

Published on May 21 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite film, yes really!
i love james woods and michael j fox, and i like john badham as a director, to put it simply it hit all the right marks for me. Read more

Published on April 15 1999 by JOE874@WEBTV.NET

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