Cutaway

An odd mix between undercover-cop-infiltrating-the-bad-guys and sports-movies! It does have a likeable cast and some terrific skydiving-scenes (the lead actors obviously jumped in real life). But what really makes it entertaining enough to sit through is the flamboyant performance of good old Tom Berenger, reminding us of what once made him one of the finest actors on-screen. Here he really is half the show in a 9 million dollar production that looks like 20 million.

I really enjoyed this one. Some top notch actors kept the plot moving well. The idea of drug smuggling by sky diving is exciting and quite plausible. I'd be amazed if I learned it had never been done in real life.

Seeing Rodman act was a kick. You could tell he was enjoying himself. Ron Silver and Tom Berenger proved their veteran status. Steven Baldwin and Maxine Bonds (sp) play a pretty hot couple (although she's so hot she'd look sexy with any lead). The sky diving was thrilling. I heard that Berenger and Baldwin actually got certified in sky diving for the picture and did some of their own stunts. Looking forward to buying this one when it comes out on video.

Customs agent played by Stephen Baldwin is sent by his chief Ron Silver to a dangerous mission . He must infiltrate undercover into a band of drug dealers who deliver the dope via skydiving to sell to international narcotics mobsters . Tom Berenger is the leader of the skydiving subculture , he's a thrill-seeker , fun-loving with destructive ways . Baldwin is sucked into the cool mysticism of the sport's guru and he learns the skydiving gives him a biggest adrenaline rush than his employment as agent . Furthermore , he falls in love with a gorgeous skydiving coacher , well played by Maxime Bhans .

This solid though predictable thriller contains dazzling airborne stunts which keeps you tied on the edge of your seat . William Baldwin and Tom Berenger help raise potential actioner tale to a higher plane . If you can suspend you disbelief , this crime-adventure is just enjoyable and keep you entertained . Mind-numbing and incredible storyline written by the Manos brothers , Guy and Greg , redeemed by breathtaking skydiving scenes . Spectacular as well as colorful cinematography by Gerry Lively , a man of many talents , as he's cameraman , director and actor . The film belongs to 'Skydiving sub-genre' , whose initial outing was ¨The Gypsy Moths¨(1969) by John Frankenheimer , followed by ¨Drop zone (John Badham) , ¨Terminal velocity¨ (Deran Sarafian)¨ and its masterpiece ¨Point break¨ (Kathryn Bigelow)¨ . The motion picture was professionally directed by Guy Manos with assured and fast moving direction , he's usually in charge of aerial stunts . Action lovers will enjoy this ode to the skydiving sport, in spite of story deficiencies . Rating : Acceptable and passable , well worth seeing .

The successful undercover agent Victor Cooper (Stephen Baldwin) is assigned for his ninth mission: to find how the loading of drug that is being brought to Miami. He suspects that the drug is coming through the air and joins a team of sky diving, under the leadership of Red Line (Tom Berenger), who is a fanatic and considered the athlete number one in this sport in the world. Due to his profile of winner, Vic gets involved with the group and he "disconnects" from his position of infiltrated agent, "connecting" with the team.

"Cutaway" is a film that gives the sensation of "dejavu", and the viewer has the sensation that had seen it before. Indeed, it is a collection of clichés, using the same storyline of "Point Break" but in the air, instead of in the sea; or "Donnie Brasco", just to mention two famous movies. However, "Cutaway" reasonably works and is watchable, mainly based on the great shootings in the air. Fans of Tom Berenger may enjoy and he has a good performance in the role of a charismatic leader, capable of any action to win in the sports he embraced. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Instinto Radical" ("Radical Instinct")

If you truly savor a bad movie once in a while, "Cutaway" will be a tasty treat that will have you coming back for seconds. It's got everything - a sullen Dennis Rodman who has about three lines (yet gets third billing), fat, old, and drunk-looking Academy Award nominee Tom Beringer spouting insane dialogue (sad, really), Steven Baldwin giving the blandest performance ever committed to film, Casper Van Dien overacting and making menacing facial expressions, Ron Silver being Ron Silver, an awful token love interest chick, and lots and lots of annoying supporting characters. And that's just the cast! The story, involving skydiving and drug smuggling and a "cop who gets in too deep", is not only horribly written but a rip-off of the plots of "Drop Zone" and "Point Break"! The movie was made by the Manos brothers, who apparently have a lot of experience filming skydiving. And they do it well. But pretty skydiving scenes can't make up for the overall poor quality of this movie. It might make you laugh, it might make you cry. But you must see Cutaway, if only to see just how bad it can get.