Deadly Impact

After a horrible incident, police officer Tom Armstrong retires and moves to Mexico. But he is forced to return when the madman who targeted him once has returned, and only Armstrong knows the killer's mind well enough to play his games. But, of course, this only makes him a target.

Director Robert Kurtzman ("Wishmaster"), more generally known as the FX maestro behind scores of films (often in the horror genre), brings his vision to the script of Alex Vesha, who knows something about tense situations, psychotic (but brilliant) killers and bomb scares. There are more than a handful of moments here where lives are on the line -- sometimes hundreds. Eat your heart out, Jack Bauer.

While the lead role of Armstrong (Sean Patrick Flanery) has to be admired, there's no denying that Joe Pantoliano steals the show as The Lion. Menacing, devious, a master of disguise... he's a perfect casting choice for a villain. Despite decades in acting (including "The Goonies", "The Matrix" and "The Sopranos"), he still hasn't really achieved the notoriety he deserves. This probably will not be the film that breaks him into the top tier, but that day is coming. Watch out, Kevin Spacey.

I have to say I'm not really keen on the romantic aspects, and there is some slowness in general where the piano music kicks in. I understand the importance of the romance and relationships in this one, but there is a break in the pace that I think ultimately works against the fast action of the movie. I cannot really offer a solution of how to reconcile the need for romance and the pace, though, so I think the best was done with what they had. I would have replaced the romantic interest with a platonic partner or boss, but that's just me.

While I think the film is mildly flawed, due primarily to the pacing issue, it is worth seeing for anyone who enjoys the police or thriller genres. As stated, The Lion is a worthy villain in a long line of criminal masterminds, and Vesha, Kurtzman and Pantoliano really bring that to the forefront.

First of all, I love a decent action flick as much as the other guy, given it has a good story, good acting, some nice twists, good action sequences, (keep in mind, I said GOOD and NICE, not PHENOMENAL or BRILLIANT)and let's not forget about the mandatory blond/brunette/redhead bombshell. Deadly Impact has none of the above. Apart from it's cheesy title, the only two good things in this movie are Sean Patrick Flanery and Joe Pantoliano - that's why I gave it 2 stars instead of 0 - , and even they are far from their usual acting. It took me half the movie to realize that Carmen Serano really IS the female lead in this movie, and I can't understand why on earth would the producers/casting/director/studio choose an ugly-tranny-lookalike when there are so much more rising - and HOT - female stars out there. And some who CAN act, too. Not even Sean Patrick Flanery's shaggy, beat-up-look - which is always welcome - can't save this one from sinking. Final report: don't bother, unless you have absolutely nothing to do for about one and a half hours. Watch The Boondock Saints instead! (both)

I'll admit that this is not a great movie, the plot is simple and you can see some turns coming a mile away. However this is an entertaining movie, the performance by Sean Patrick Flannery is very good and the acting of Joe Pantoliano is excellent. Both are believable and deliver good performances. On the other hand the acting of just about everyone else is atrocious especially Carmen Serano she should not be allowed to be in any more movies towards the end I kept hoping she would be next to die so I wouldn't have to listen to her anymore. This movies a one you should rent on a night when you want to be entertained by a mindless movie that doesn't require you to think to much, if you do that you will have fun.

Police detective Tom Armstrong (Sean Patrick Flanery) gets trapped by a demented killer (Joe Pantoliano). He is forced to kill his own wife to save his men and escape the trap. It sends him into a drunken spiral. FBI agent Isabel (Carmen Serano) tracks him down in Mexico after the killer resurfaces. He is now out for revenge.

This is weakly made B-action thriller. The production is all lower tier filmmaking. Most of the actors are functional and forgettable with the exception of Joe Pantoliano. He seems to be having fun with playing the villain. Other than that, this is mostly a nothing B-movie.

In all honesty, I really enjoyed this movie. It was a decent thriller. It reminded me a little of the TV show 24 for some reason, maybe the storyline. Flanery and Pantoliano do a pretty good job and really make this film. I think the movie could have been better with a different female lead, she just didn't seem to suit the part. I must say though, she is a hottie!! Most of the rest of the cast just make up the numbers. One downfall was that I didn't really like how music played through most of the movie, I don't understand why they do this.

If you like movies in the same genre as speed and the like you will enjoy this one.