The Hard Way (1991)

In this raucous, high-energy action thriller from 1991, Michael J. Fox plays a spoiled Hollywood movie star who wants to bring vivid authenticity to his latest role as a big-city cop, so he recruits the real thing (James Woods) as his experienced mentor. This unlikely partnership doesn't sit too well with Woods, a hot-headed New York street cop who's a magnet for action-packed trouble. But that makes him just the right guy for Fox's research, which goes so far as to include Woods's girlfriend (Annabella Sciorra) and participation in some death-defying crime work. Fast, vulgar, and cranked at high volume, this is the kind of movie that contributed to the destruction of quality storytelling in mainstream Hollywood movies, but the screenplay scores bonus points for its lively characters and even livelier dialogue. Director John Badham is no slouch when it comes to action scenes, either, so if you buckle up and hold on tight, doing things The Hard Way can be surprisingly entertaining. To display the action in full widescreen glory, the DVD presents the film in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio. --Jeff Shannon Amazon.com

"If you want something done right, call an actor!"--MJF, as Nick Lang

The Hard Way scores as a hyper-deranged double satire, taking on spoiled-rotten Hollywood and the macho lunacy of buddy-cops flicks. There's a ton of smart dialogue amid the cusswords, NY is shot briliantly through a grimy lens (and LA through a glittering lens), a bar scene between Fox and Woods deconstructs a century of gender roles in the movies, and even the car chases/crashes are parodies.

Even though the salty language kept MJF's kiddie audience away, it's one of his few genuinely funky roles, Woods is at his apoplectic finest and the smaller roles are cast right on the money(Delroy Lindo, Annabella Sciorra, Christina Ricci...). For maximum effect, see in tandem with Eddie Murphy/Robert DeNiro's Showtime. April 4, 2008

The Hard Way

Nick Lang is a very popular actor starring in big blockbuster films, but he is not happy with his success, there is a role he covets, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. After seeing Lt. John Moss in an interview, Nick is convinced that if he spent time with him the role would be his. Using his considerable tinsletown clout, he arranges to be his temporary partner. Moss is angry about his new "assignment" taking him away from his big case of the Party Crasher. This guy has attached himself to Moss by calling him before he commits his next crime. Moss is determined to ditch Nick Lang, so he can concentrate on what is really important.

As these two men spend time together, the inadvertently learn life lessons from each other that help them in ways they couldn't imagine. I really liked this movie! I have always been a huge James Woods fan, and Michael J Fox was surprisingly good.
March 26, 2008

He Warned Me

A co-worker warned me that this movie wasn't very good, but being my usual hard-headed self, I rented it anyway. I should've listened to him. The movie was basically about an actor who was studying for the part as a cop, and he had to go hang out with one particular cop who was NOT interested in having a partner. There were Asian and Black gang bangers who were the worst criminals on planet Earth, and Fox had time to call his friends to say "I'm in the ghetto." That one line was pretty much the only time I laughed through the entire film, and that was because he sounded so absolutely lame when he said it. Other than that, this movie was passable. You pretty much know how it'll start, stop, and end five minutes into it. October 2, 2007

Which came first? This or Cops?

Michael J. Fox is Nick Lang. Nick is an accomplished actor. His latest gig was playing for the Shooting Gunn series. Shooting Gunn is a clone of Indiana Jones. Nick wants to do something else. By happenstance, he sees an interview of a NYC cop and decides to pull his fame strings to "observe" for his upcoming film.

Meanwhile, Det. John Moss is not happy having to "babysit" Nick. Moss makes it clear that Nick is to hang back and observe. But most of all, just shut up. Nick doesn't get it and repeatedly gets involved and messes up Moss' strategies.

At the same time, the Party Chaser has been terrorizing the city. Officially, Moss is off the case but that doesn't stop him. However, he gotta keep Nick at a distance before he does further damages.

It's just a little too silly, especially with Fox as a neurotic, spoiled actor who doesn't know his social (and professional?) limits. June 4, 2007

Heh heh, funny movie, lots of cursing going on.

It's like having Ronald McDonald date the Wendys girl. January 7, 2007

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