Director: John Irvin
Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathryn Harrold, Sam Wanamaker, Ed Lauter, Robert Davi
Running Time: 101 minutes
Synopsis: Small-town Sheriff Mark Kaminski (Arnold Schwarzenegger) was previously booted out of the FBI for excessive brutality. Now goons working for mob leader Patrovita (Sam Wanamaker) kill an informant and several protection officers, including the son of FBI Agent Harry Shannon (Darren McGavin). He vows revenge and recruits Kaminski to infiltrate Patrovita's gang. Kaminski intends to prove his loyalty by disrupting the operation of rival mobster Lamanski, but a highly-placed mole will endanger the covert mission.
What Works Well: Arnold Schwarzenegger's sheer heft and presence adds a base standard of fun, although his acting is wooden and his line delivery stiff. The weapon-happy and over-the-top action scenes are frequent, loud, and sometimes knowingly wacky.
What Does Not Work As Well: This limited-budget Dino De Laurentiis production lacks style and polish, and would be utterly forgettable without Schwarzenegger. The plot is ludicrous, needlessly complex, and cluttered by too many interchangeable mobsters and tough-talking goons. Ed Lauter is a generic cop, Robert Davi is a hissing rival, and Kathryn Harrold is a token love interest with a gambling problem and an agenda. None of them leave any sort of lasting impression.
Key Quote:
Mark Kaminski (to his drunk wife): You should not drink and bake.
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