Objectif Central Park

Tommy Lee Jones does his part to hold this movie together, and that's about the only thing going for it. The plot about one man taking over Central Park (!) is highly improbable, but makes for a good Saturday afternoon action flick. Don't put a lot of thought into this movie, just enjoy it for what it is!

You might say this is a passionate action movie. Probably did not cost much to make, but is somewhat interesting. Tommy Lee Jones plays a veteran from the Vietnamese conflict and he wants to raise awareness to how veterans, the elderly and underprivileged are overlooked. He decides to take Central Park hostage. Then he is forced to defend his position with gunfire. Who said all is fair in love and war?

Also in the cast are Helen Shaver and Yaphet Kotto. Not too far fetched; and this movie does grab your attention.

Like many of the Reagan era action movies, it is rampantly xenophobic, incrediably incoherent, and in no way grounded in reality. Tommy Lee (not the hair band drummer)plays a Vet who takes over central park to generate sympathy for the forgotten soldiers of that war. A noble sentiment, but a man would have to be completely out of his gourd to attempt that...its not like the park has a series of fortified bunkers and a moat around it!!! The most insane plot twist (no one is in suspense about this piece anyway) is that the "authorities" hire two Asian assasins to take out the hero. What the $%^#$^! is that all about? It is just one of the many warped plot contrivances that earn this work a lofty six on the Tango and Cash scale of implausability. Forgive the spelling.

"The Park is Mine" is a modest yet fervent and well-intended mid-80's TV drama with a noble underlying message and a fabulous lead performance by Tommy Lee Jones. Basically speaking the film belongs in the thriller sub category of 'trouble with Vietnam veterans', but this one is of a different caliber. There where most exploitation movies deal with disillusioned veterans going bonkers and heading out on a violent murder rampage, "The Park is Mine" tries to implement a more emotional and humane approach. Sure the whole premise is completely implausible and even somewhat preposterous, but if you switch off your sense of logic for a good hour and a half, you definitely won't be bored! This is the second time Tommy Lee Jones depicts an embittered Vietnam veteran, after his role in the dark and gritty "Rolling Thunder". Mitch is an aimlessly roaming vet in New York. He can't keep a job, his wife divorced him and he doesn't get any respect from anybody is this damned city where everyone simply minds his own business. When his terminally ill war buddy commits suicide, Mitch finds out he was planning an attention- grabbing initiative in Central Park. Mitch executes the plans and takes control over the park. His peaceful but nevertheless explosive attempt to make people more aware of life receives a lot of interest from the media and support from the populace, but it's quite an embarrassment for the authorities – and particularly for the deputy mayor – so they try to eliminate Mitch in any possible way they can. There are some nice photographic shots and explosions, but this is primarily Tommy Lee Jones' movie! He's excellent, charismatic and quite overpowering with his painted face and mirror sunglasses. His great acting compensates even for the stupidest plot twists (Vietcong mercenary in Central Park? !?) and the clichéd ending. Jones also receives pretty good support from Yaphet Kotto as the likable copper and Peter Dvorsky as the sleazy deputy mayor.

Tommy Lee Jones, in an updated version of Taxi Driver, plays a disillusioned, disenchanted Vietnam Vet who only truly feels at home while on patrol. He takes over Central Park in downtown New York City in a believable scenario; seeking control, and seeking recognition, he dominates the city by shutting down the Park.

Jones becomes the indigenous guerrilla, the one who controls the fight by setting the scene and drawing the inept Police into his traps. An excellent movie, ahead of its time, imagine a very human Rambo in downtown New York. The movie does not have a neat ending, like Taxi Driver or even Dog Day afternoon. Instead, it ends as you might like it too.