Tag: Robert F. Lyons

MURPHY’S LAW (1986)

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Directed By: J. Lee Thompson 

Written By: Gail Morgan Hickman

Cinematography: Alex Phillips

Editor: Peter Lee Thompson and Charles Simmons 

Cast: Charles Bronson, Kathleen Wilhoite, Carrie Snodgrass, Robert Romanus, Bill Henderson, Lawrence Tierney, Robert F. Lyons, Angel Tompkins, Janet Maclachlan, James Luisi 

Jack Murphy is a veteran police detective who is framed for the murder of his ex-wife. Although taken into custody, Murphy escapes from the police station handcuffed to a foul-mouthed car thief. Pursued by the police, Murphy must find the real killer before it is too late.

This is a Charles Bronson film. I was looking forward to it, as I will admit at first I thought it would be almost like a buddy comedy only with Charles Bronson with a smart ass, pickpocket, and maybe more of an action comedy. Who start off as enemies, but slowly need one another to survive their situation. That is not exactly what this film is.

While it has its lighthearted scenes, this film ultimately is very dark which is what I am finding a lot when it comes to Charles Bronson movies and characters. So there is no wisecracking as much on his part. 

As here, his main character is a sad sack police detective, who is a bit of an alcoholic, and can’t get over his ex-wife, who has clearly moved on, and has no feelings for him. Yet he still stalks her and punishes himself seeing her with new lovers and working as a stripper.

The film offers wisecracks galore, especially from Karen Wilhoite, as the pickpocket, which is refreshing compared to the eternally grumpy Charles Bronson. Her lines are hilarious, and they are even now a little outdated. Though she is the bright spot of the film and breathes life into it.

I wish I could call it an action comedy but they’re very few laughs in the film. She mainly is a comedic relief other than maybe some of the situations and scenes as the film like most Charles Bronson starring films of the 1980s seems a bit mean-spirited. Compared to other action films. Even here he lacks charisma and personality.

The female villain is over-the-top ridiculous. Yet captivating. Not for the fact that it is a female villain, but just her motivations. She is thoroughly coldhearted. Though her motivations seem a bit stupid, yet understandable. Especially if she has just stayed incognito. Though by a certain point exposes herself.

The film’s scope is surprisingly larger than expected, especially for a 1980’s movie starring Bronson. Where the locations keep changing and more and more vehicles get destroyed. 

The film doesn’t quite live up to expectations but manages to stay entertaining with plenty of action. Unfortunately, it’s not quite a fun ride but leaves you interested throughout and has plenty of fun playing with the title.

Grade: C+

DEATH WISH II (1982)

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Directed By: Michael Winner 
Written By: David Engelbach 
Based On Characters Created By: Brian Garfield
Cinematography: Tom Del Ruth and Richard H. Kline 
Editor: Arnold Crust and Julian Semian 

Cast: Charles Bronson, Jill Ireland, Vincent Gardenia, Anthony Franciosa, Laurence Fishburne, Ben Frank, J.D. Cannon, Robin Sherwood, Robert F. Lyons, Silvena Gallardo 

Architect Paul Kersey once again becomes a vigilante when he tries to find the five street punks who murdered his daughter and housekeeper, this time on the dark streets of Los Angeles.

While I will admit I am not a man of the first film for many reasons. I have to say the first one is definitely better than this sequel. At least it had dramatic tension and tried to be somewhat of a character piece.

This film is exploitative even when watching the theatrical version and not the unrated edition. It’s sleazy and a retread of the original. Only without any of the drama or moral questions that might have been raised before.

No, here as soon as a tragedy happens he goes right into action without a second thought and not trying to stop crime necessarily. Here Charles Bronson’s character is on a revenge mission. So while other crimes happen around him. He lets them go. 

This seems to be more of the same, only in a new location. 

This feels more like an even more Hollywood version of the bloodletting wish-fulfillment fantasy. That the audience for this franchise wants. Whereas the first film tried to be more a character-driven thriller. This is our and our action.

One of the film’s main problems is that it feels so sleazy and exploitative. Not necessarily the violence but the sexual assaults and nudity throughout. That feels gratuitous even when edited down. Even In some scenes, there is just nudity when not really needed. 

The rape and murder of the maid seem to be shown and filmed graphically mainly to show the ugliness of not only the crime but also to make the audience mad at the brutality and show how savage these characters truly are. 

The film is under 90 minutes and is never subtle and Vincent Gardenia’s character seems wasted and only as another way to link back to the first film and explain why he is in Los Angeles instead of Chicago. Though here he seems almost like comedic relief rather than as a strong character from the first film. 

Grade: C

AVENGING ANGEL (1985)

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Directed By: Robert Vincent O’Neil
Written By: Robert Vincent O’Neil & Joseph M. Cala
Cinematography: Peter Lyons Collister 
Editor: John R. Bowey

Cast: Betsy Russell, Rory Calhoun, Susan Tyrell, Ossie Davis, Robert F. Lyons, Steven M. Porter, Paul Lambert, Barry Pearl, Frank Doubleday

Molly, the former prostitute, has managed to leave her street life with help from Lt. Andrews. She studies law and leads a normal life. When Andrews is killed by a brutal gang, she returns to the streets as Angel to find his killers.

Not surprising that this sequel pales in comparison to the first film. While not a classic at least was offbeat and had some originality.

This film comes across as trying to make everything bigger. Instead of one villain this time she and her friends are taking on a crime family ring.

Now the character is no longer a hooker but in law school and seeking revenge. Most of the actors come back from the original except the two leads. Where one is recast and killed in the opening minutes. This leads to the revenge story. 

The lead this time is played by Betsy Russell and while appealing to the eyes. She doesn’t bring anything to the role. In fact, One misses Donna Wilkes, who played the role originally maybe it was that Russell had more box office appeal and recognizability 

The problem lies in that the first film’s side characters all added to the overall strangeness and humor of the first film. They added old-school charisma and personality and mostly stayed on the side as we got to know them. Which added to the first film’s charm.

This time around the surviving characters is brought into the action more and seem more equipped to handle the action. Whereas in the first film it was more random for them to get involved. Also since we know them from the first film. This time around they are barely developed before just coming out and chasing or shooting.

So while it’s nice to see the veterans in the cast that is all that there is. As of so far, I haven’t seen the other films In the franchise. After watching the first film I felt a little encouraged to continue. This one was written and directed by the director of the first film. Makes me feel like one has seen enough of Angel and her friends continue their adventure.

As it isn’t even fascinating or fun in a 1980’a cheesy or exploitation way. It just comes off as bad and overblown for no real reason. It feels more of chasing in. Rather than have a natural purpose or real story. As it is much less a continuation rather than franchising. 

Grade: F