Code of Silence

An undistinguished action vehicle for Chuck Norris, this time playing a maverick cop (a real stretch for him) who has to battle a street war between rival drug dealers. What his movie lacks in an original plot it makes up for with an intelligent script which somewhat surprisingly focuses on characterisation instead of macho one-liners, and good pacing and direction from Andrew Davis, here cutting his teeth on the genre which would later serve him well in the likes of UNDER SIEGE.

Norris plays the typical tough-yet-likable hardman character he always seems to play, except that he's less reliant on the martial arts here. The physical fights that do ensue are generally unexciting and limp, the shoot-outs and gun battles more convincingly portrayed. Henry Silva (NICO: ABOVE THE LAW) is the chief villain, and is very good as per usual; there aren't many actors who manage to look as genuinely evil as Silva - except Christopher Walken perhaps. Dennis Farina appears in a minor role as a buddy of Norris, and the supporting cast are rounded out by passable actors and actresses who put in solid, if unmemorable, performances.

The movie draws in drug dealing and battles between rival gangs with a subplot involving police corruption, specifically an officer who accidentally shoots an innocent bystander. The various plot strands are woven together well, and there are a couple of set-pieces (like Norris taking on an entire bar) which certainly don't disappoint. The violent ending is predictable and pretty clichéd, but executed with a certain style. This is routine but solid stuff from Norris.

Sgt Eddie Cusack , Chuck Norris , is a tough cop who makes his own rules in the noisy city of Chicago , as he faces off warring mob families , led by Henry Silva and Mike Genovese , and corrupt police officers , while his own comrades shun him . At the same time , he saves a damsel in distress , Molly Hagan , who has been kidnapped by an extremely villain mobster.

This thrilling film has a lot of killings , shootouts , car pursuits , violence , profanity and no-nonsense action . Its is a ¨Dirty Harry¨ formula action movie with the great Chuck as a loner on Chicago police force . Here Norris proved to be the heir to Chuck Norris as the king of the vigilante movie , as Norris acts as a judge , jury and executioner ; besides , he does his own stunts . Norris is caught in a middle of a gang war , but is helped by a shooter-machine called ¨Prowler¨ and he then takes the law on his own hands and smack down baddies . Norrris steals the show as a merciless police officer , giving a right-on-target acting and as one army man . At the American box-office, at the time this movie was first released in cinemas, this film became the third most financially successful Chuck Norris picture after Missing in action (1984) and Delta Force . Support cast is pretty well , such as Henry Silva , Ron Dean , John Mahoney , Allen Hamilton , Bert Remsen , and Dennis Farina was actually working as a real life police officer in Chicago, Illinois during the production of this picture. Actress Molly Hagan and actor Joe Guzaldo both received 'introducing' credits.

It contains an atmospheric Musical score by by David Michael Frank . Evocative and colorful cinematography by Frank Tidy .The motion picture was well directed by Andrew Davis , a filmmaker with a reputation for directing intelligent thrillers . He has directed good films as ¨Above the law¨, ¨The final terror¨ , ¨Chain reaction¨ , ¨Collateral damage¨ , ¨The Package¨ and Davis went on to direct 1992's top grossing picture, Under siege (1992), for Warner Brothers, a classic action film teaming Steven Seagal with Tommy Lee Jones . Being his greatest hit ¨The fugitive¨ , this film received seven Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and earned Tommy Lee Jones a Best Supporting Actor award. Andrew frequently casts 'Ron Dean', Joseph F. Kosala, Joe Pantoliano and his father 'Nathan Davis' . He often directs in his city : Chicago .

To me,it's kind of unfortunate that many people,when people mention the name Chuck Norris think mostly of "Walker:Texas Ranger"(if they're not thinking of the barrage of Internet facts and the Home Gym infomercials he's been doing with Christie Brinkley),which is a shame. "Walker..." may've offered people who enjoy their television simple,straight-forward and moralistic(not to meniton full of round-house kicks),but to me,Mr.Norris seems better suited for movies,where his quiet,confident and likable minimalism as an actor--which perfectly balance his awesome fighting skills--can go from introduction through denouement of a three-to-four act movie involving situation,rising tension,action,climax and conclusion,all in the tight space of two hours or so(As opposed to a recurring character over the space of twenty-plus episodes per season). But that's just my humble Opine.

THis story isn't particularly taxing,as following suit with many of this genre: Tough,upright,fair and moral Chicago Sgt.Eddie Cusack(guess who?)has two looming problems on his hands--an IAD investigation into the shooting of a young boy in the projects involving two of his undercovers,one of whom becomes his de facto partner,and a gang war brewing between Italian and Bolivian(?) drug-families,which has him becoming the guardian of a scared Mafia princess(Molly HAgan). Cusack'll need his not only his toughness but also his wits(And a police robot,to boot)to play both families(the Latino family led by Henry Silva,a piece of excellent casting) off each other AND dodge the repercussions of bitter,corrupt fellow cops to make sure that justice is preserved and the innocent young woman in his care is not made yet another mob war casualty.

Directed by rising star director Andrew DAvis(in another seven years,he'll helm the surprise hit "UNder Siege" and in eight,the blockbuster "The Fugitive"),this show uses A lot of Chicago--it's scenery,it's landmarks,neighborhoods and(last but not least)it's actors,none the least of which is someday acting staple but then former Chicago cop himself Dennis FArina(As Chuck's easy-going partner and erstwhile comic relief)--and it's all used to very good effect. About the only thing that doesn't cut muster here is the almost CAsio-like music that scores this,but being that this was a 1985 release,I'm figuring that this show was no more or less guilty of that than most films of the era. I got this movie out of the cheap,cheap CHEAP bin at the local music and movie resold store,and I must say that it better than makes up for the price paid. This film's been swept under,but to me,coupled with such lost classics as "The Octagon","Lone Wold McQuade" and "Eye for an Eye" are definitely worth your Norris film library,if you are so inclined to start one,of course.

*****SOME SPOILERS***** Eddie Cusack, Chuck Norris,is both though and honest. During an impending drug raid on the Comacho mob by Cusack's undercover crew their interrupted by the Luna mob who kill eight Comacho gang members.

Luis Camacho, Henry Silva, the head of the Comacho mob vowed revenge and a full scale gang war erupts in Chicago. During the police raid officer Cragie, Ralph Foody, shoots an innocent boy down in cold blood and then plants a gun on him to cover it up. In full sight of his startled partner officer Kopalas, Joe Guzaldo.

With most of her family murdered by the Comacho mob, Cusack rescues Diana Luna, Molly Hagan, and hides her with a friend of his Ed Pirelli, Allen Hamilton, until he can get her to the safety of the police. Meanwhile at the police hearing of the shooting of the boy by Cragie, Cusack testifies that he wrote a memo some time ago that Cragie should be taken off the streets. Cusack says "30 years on the streets is too much for anyone" plus he saw that Cragie was not only a threat to those that he dealt with but also to his fellow police officers.

The Comacho mob finds where Cusack hid Diana and after murdering Pirelli who was hiding her takes her hostage. Cusack going to the Comacho mob headquarters calls for backup but his fellow policemen let him go at it alone and don't come to his aid since he broke the "Code of Silence" in regards to taking against a fellow police officer. Cusack gets brutally beaten by the Comacho mob and is told that if he doesn't bring them Diana' father Tony Luna, Mike Genovese, she'll be dead by morning.

Cusack finding out that Tony Luna is arriving at the Chicago train station from Wisconsin where he was in hiding tries to arrest him. In a wild shootout and car chase Luna is killed in a car smash up as Cusack was chasing him through the city streets. With nothing left for him to negotiate for Diana's life and with his fellow policemen treating him as a leper an not coming to his aid Eddie Cusack is now left to take on the entire Comacho mob by himself. In a last and desperate attempt to save Diana's life.

Chuck Norris's best movie by far with more story and less action then Norris movies usually have. Few as they are the action scenes are far more effective and exciting when they come on the screen. Because of the much more superior writing they don't come off cheap and monotonous like they usually would in a Chuck Norris action movie.

With great heart stooping shoot-outs in the beginning and end of the movie and an exciting and terrifying chase on top of the Chicago El Train in the middle of the film makes "Code of Silence" with out a doubt Norris's best movie ever. Norris's acting has also improved when he's directed to talk more and fight less which director Andrew Davis allowed him to do.

As I sat down, I wasn't expecting much even with the constant praise I read about this particular Norris effort. So to my surprise, I usually can't help but grin, or chuckle whenever watching one his films (humorous or not), but "Code of Silence" altered that perception. Well just say up until that waterlogged, lonesome gung-ho final curtain call into heroic pulp territory. Now then I couldn't help but raise a smirk, and go along with the fantasy. What really pushes this one along; is that it's professionally directed with balls and vigorous energy by Andrew Davis. The well-plotted material keeps you involved, while even following the standard textbook cop drama elements. The honest script has some cringe moments, but never becomes brainless. Just look at the witty humour and turmoil drama (a real concentration on loyalty from the cops to the criminals) that's thrown in, it fits along with everything that opens up in the meaty plot.

So it begs the question. How was our star? Norris's competently does a fine job. His easy-going nature, brought to the screen a comfortable performance, even when he wasn't kicking ass. And we know how good he's at the latter, but his acting turn here had a rather genuine feel to his character. Even though he's one man antics cross the line. He doesn't need a partner. Hell, just sack the entire police force as you can see by the results. Norris is capable enough. He got game. Henry Silva's stoically vicious drug lord villain, was a sturdy show-in and Molly Hagan admirably delivers. Ralph Foody amuses as a burnt-out cop.

Nothing about this project is award winning material, but assured catering in nearly every field makes it better than just your average cop drama. A confidently good-looking production, is filled with well-placed set-pieces and sweaty stunk work infused by its snappy pace and an uncannily, upbeat music score. The urban setting is put to great-use and fashionably-captured shots.

Quite an exciting and always on the move action yarn, which has a little more thought behind it than you might think.