OneAnjel

This is the second '90s film that I've found on this platform which is erroneously listed as a dark comedy (along with action) - a relatively rare genre that refers to macabre situations intended to be humourous (Fargo; Violent Night, Harold & Maude; Pulp fiction...). This film was not presented that way when it first came out in theaters nor on any other platform. But I will admit that there is some romantic humor, however vague, and the usual witty one-liners here and there. I think the main reason this would have been placed into that category for the rookie content creator unfamiliar with dark humor is the fact that Travolta is just not a serious looking actor. Yes, he's been in some serious films but he started out as a comedy actor. Part of the reason he was successful is because he has a rather humorous face. The expressions, the unusual shape, the crooked sneer, the small eyes and wide jaw - all lends itself to a sitcom style. The only film I really ever liked him in was Fanatic, whose own autistic child helped him really sell that part. In Fanatic, his big dopey looking face helped sell the part. But he's just not a serious looking person - I'm just going to say I don't know how he was ever a teen heartthrob.

The film itself started off quickly; to the point, which we can all appreciate. But much of the action was quite staged and not very well. I don't know if the plot line was realistic, I imagine it was on some level - we all know that nukes and all kinds of weapons are stolen and sold to foreign governments all the time. We just had a government who sold them openly and often gave them away for free. Thank God that regime is gone.

But looking back on this film, although I normally like our action heroes from that era and Christian Slater did a great job, I just didn't feel like Travolta sold the part at all.

The film moves along well with a lot of decent tension and the usual good guy gets the girl. And while this is an entertaining action flick that will get you through a couple of hours, I don't really think anyone has said 'wow I need to own that film' unless they're a Slater or Travolta fan.

I always stop to watch a Samuel Jackson film. I've probably seen this one before but it all felt new to me (or maybe I haven't). Jackson delivers his usual fare here, which, as we all know, is top level. He's a veteran cop and seasoned negotiator who sees everything coming so no one can really gaslight him until he accomplishes his goal. There's a lot of tension and a good amount of believability. Alex's tight plan gives us a lot of oh wow moments.

However the initial plot set up lacks credibility. Alex is a highly skilled professional with a clean career and a new wife who would not likely have taken such a huge risk when there were other ways he could have reached his goal.

But with a long runtime, the film is worth the ensuing story, although, admittedly, I wouldn't have minded if it was a little shorter.

Only on this platform is dark comedy (or any form of comedy) included in the genre. In case you're scratching your head over that, I can assure you you're not the only one. The filmmaker also does not list it as dark comedy, nor any of the small sampling of other platforms I reviewed before writing this.

This is one of those old fashioned films that you just can't find any more that does a great job of setting up each scene and is very well acted with some very good names.