Holstra
Boring, long, and too preachy.
Twilightfa
Watch something else. There are very few redeeming qualities to this film.
SeeQuant
Blending excellent reporting and strong storytelling, this is a disturbing film truly stranger than fiction
Stephan Hammond
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
PeterMitchell-506-564364
Deadly Force is an action thriller, but with a twist that I like. I can't believe the bad rap this film has got. This film really has a story to it. At the request of a friend, who's daughter is the latest victim of the X killer, a motiveless madman, who leaves a X marked across the victim's foreheads, ex cop Hauser in top form, returns to his old battleground in L.A. He receives a not so welcoming reception, from some of his old acquaintances, including his ex, a successful news reporter, covering this story. It isn't long before Wings is pushing this guy's buttons, in one thrilling scene he's nearly taken out by this nut, while lazing in a bath. But there appears to be more deadlier forces at play here. We too are a granted a little hot sex scene that Hauser and his better half, starkers, makin' out, amidst the madness. Hauser's character here as a lot of his other characters, is intriguing as it is ambiguous. We want to know more about him. He's a wild card, a good cop thrown off the force before he wouldn't play by the rules. Him and his old black superior, Hoxley, clash many times. After all, next year is an election year. He really has it in for Hauser, even going to the point, of tipping one of his ex con enemies off, whose been promised a split of reward, if he catches this fruitcake. This film has enough action for the serial killer/cop thriller fan and Hauser's screen presence is one great reason to watch this. Remember he did start out on The Young And The Restless. The violence is surprisingly tame, but wit Hauser in the lead, and on the chase, it makes the whole movie worth it. Underrated. A compelling watch.
Comeuppance Reviews
Stoney Cooper (The Wingman) is an ex-cop who was kicked off the force for his rogue ways. Now living in New York, he is called back to L.A. by his old buddy Sam (Ruscio). It seems a serial killer is on the loose, killing people seemingly at random and leaving an X on their forehead. This "X Killer" claimed Sam's granddaughter as a victim, and he wants revenge. Meanwhile, Stoney sees this as an opportunity to get back in the good graces of his estranged wife Eddie (Ingalls). The three unlikely partners all team up to put an end to the X Killer's reign of terror, whilst dodging gangsters, lowlifes and the killer himself.The ever-charismatic Wings Hauser once again shows why we keep coming back to his movies. He doesn't disappoint - his likable and personable nature are shown off well in this film. Like other Wings movies such as Reason to Die (1990), the simple plot is basically Wings chasing a serial killer. His personality certainly carries this film. He's backed up with some solid support, notably Al Ruscio and an amusing cameo from none other than Estelle Getty.We'd be remiss if we left out Lincoln Kilpatrick as Hoxley, the disgruntled, classic stereotype: the Black Yelling Chief. He also played the BYC in the Gary Busey vehicle Bulletproof (1988). He's had a long career (he's since passed away) , no doubt filling the role he was born to play (the BYC) many times over the years.The soundtrack deserves special mention, especially the driving main theme, and the equally pounding end credits tune, "Keep On Fighting" by Jesse Frederick. Only in the 80's could you get the car chases, seedy city scenarios, and music such as this, all tied together in a nice bow with Wings at the helm. It truly was a golden age.Released on VHS in the U.S. on the Embassy label (later re-released under MGM's budget-priced "Movie Time" banner), while this movie doesn't have a ton of originality, it nevertheless should be on the Wings Hauser fan's short list.For more action insanity, please visit: www.comeuppancereviews.com
merklekranz
"Deadly Force" has everything you would expect from a cop kicked off the force film, and that is the problem. Wings Hauser is the renegade cop investigating a series of apparently random homicides, committed by perhaps the least developed, and least interesting villain in screen history. The overly simplistic story really has nowhere to go, so it is well padded with gratuitous car chases and explosions. I will say however, this is the first time I have seen the game of "rat roulette" played, and it looks more interesting than the rest of "Deadly Force". This strictly by the book action film might be worth a look for Wings Hauser fans but others beware. - MERK
retributionpublications
Don't listen to the IMDb philistines who knock this film. This is quite possibly the best movie ever made. Former soap hunk Wings Hauser stars a no-nonsense retired NY cop thrown into L.A.'s seedy crime underworld on the desperate heels of a crazed serial killer. A fist-full of cinematic fury all the way to its bitter, inevitable conclusion, "Deadly Force" offers uncompromising acting talents, a blistering soundtrack and a directorial style primarily inspired by French New Wave and Italian Neo-Realism. This film brilliantly explores the philosophical paradox of what it's like when the "hunter becomes the hunted." A must see.