Can't remember an Arnie movie that I genuinely didn't care for but this one fits the bill. You know things are going bad when even the classic one-liners are unfunny and lackluster. Everything is poorly executed and even Arnie comes across like he knows this one's a stinker from the get go. He's got no enthusiasm for the role.
Arnold is a disgraced FBI agent who ends up slumming it as a small sheriff, becoming the unchecked arm of the law in Raw Deal, and that should have been the movie. There's more humor and fun action in that opening sequence than in the rest of the film, as it becomes the one thing a Schwarzenegger 80s action flick has no right to be: Boring. The comedic spark from the top of the film is quickly extinguished as Arnie plays undercover cop (he's so distinctive, this should never ever work) and through various dull fist and gun fights, tries to prove himself to the gangsters so he can smoke out the mole. There's a love interest, but nothing can happen there because he's faithful to a wife who is drinking herself into a stupor out in the sticks. Darren McGavin is good as his handler, but that's about it. I'm never too sure which gangster is with which gang, or why anything is happening really. Arnie just joylessly executes anyone that gets in his way, cracking wise but not in a clever way, and I think we can all agree a cop acting as judge, jury and executioner is something we're well over by now. Even by 1986 standards, the hero here is celebrated for murdering people who otherwise could have been arrested. Ugly as well as dull.
As for Schwarz's non-sci-fi films, i tend to have the softest spot for this one - comedy elements are so wonderfully subtle, as opposed to for example ''True Lies'' where ''humor'' is forced in spots.
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Zeltaebar
The finale was OK with some good action, but most of this movie was just unoriginal, confusing and boring. Not Scwarzenegger's proudest moment.the3rdman
One of the worst movies I have ever seen, and I love Schwarzenegger.DisneyStitch
Can't remember an Arnie movie that I genuinely didn't care for but this one fits the bill. You know things are going bad when even the classic one-liners are unfunny and lackluster. Everything is poorly executed and even Arnie comes across like he knows this one's a stinker from the get go. He's got no enthusiasm for the role.Siskoid
Arnold is a disgraced FBI agent who ends up slumming it as a small sheriff, becoming the unchecked arm of the law in Raw Deal, and that should have been the movie. There's more humor and fun action in that opening sequence than in the rest of the film, as it becomes the one thing a Schwarzenegger 80s action flick has no right to be: Boring. The comedic spark from the top of the film is quickly extinguished as Arnie plays undercover cop (he's so distinctive, this should never ever work) and through various dull fist and gun fights, tries to prove himself to the gangsters so he can smoke out the mole. There's a love interest, but nothing can happen there because he's faithful to a wife who is drinking herself into a stupor out in the sticks. Darren McGavin is good as his handler, but that's about it. I'm never too sure which gangster is with which gang, or why anything is happening really. Arnie just joylessly executes anyone that gets in his way, cracking wise but not in a clever way, and I think we can all agree a cop acting as judge, jury and executioner is something we're well over by now. Even by 1986 standards, the hero here is celebrated for murdering people who otherwise could have been arrested. Ugly as well as dull.Bolero Tenebris
As for Schwarz's non-sci-fi films, i tend to have the softest spot for this one - comedy elements are so wonderfully subtle, as opposed to for example ''True Lies'' where ''humor'' is forced in spots.mook
Rogue cop Arnie infiltrates the Mafia in this fun, trashy & violent action thriller with a great over-the-top finale. 7/10.Follow me on Twitter @LastFilmSeen