Judgment Night

Judgment Night is pure 90's action escapism, from a time when the genre had a slick, nihilistic atmosphere. It's one of those 'night from hell' chase films that takes a group of naive, childish suburban dudes and throws the, into the heart of an urban hellhole, pursued by a rabid pack of howling hyena like scumbag criminals through a chaotic nightscape filled with an army of babbling homeless loons, endless labyrinthine project buildings, and seemingly no way out. Emilio Estevez plays a family man who decides to take his hapless brother (Stephen Dorff), his buddy Cuba Gooding Jr., and their letcherous lawyer friend (Jeremy Piven), for a night out in the big city to, see the basketball game, in his giant obnoxious Winnebago. As soon as they enter the old smoke, trouble begins to brew. They witness a terrified fleeing bum get murdered by vicious street thug Fallon (Denis Leary), and his dangerous, leering crew. They themselves become witnesses and are forced to run through a hostile, unfamiliar environment for there lives, pursued by these determined, nefarious psychos. It's a simple enough premise elevated by excellent choice of locations and a well done aura of urban decay and inner city disorder, presided over by goons and gargoyles. Leary is a razor tongued prick, relishing every moment of whiplash violence and aggression. Peter Greene is solid as his second in command. The film has a rowdy, animalistic energy to it and is a good watch for the AM hours when you're a little wired and looking for something to light a fire under your ass.

My name is Carlie Dougher. I was in this movie. The little baby on the porch, frank's daughter in the movie. I was wondering if I made a comment if maybe I would be put in the cast. I mean the "kid on swing" was. Haha :)

Since I must write a minimum of 10 lines I mine as well give a review. I was 14 when I was finally able to watch this movie due to the violence and it being rated R.

My parents finally allowed me to watch the full film not just the beginning where I'm in it for a good 3 minutes or so lol. Iv watched it so many times and show all my friends it's such a cool movie and it never gets old not to mention is funny as hell and it's definitely a nail biter. It's a good movie on a rainy days. It's one of those movies you wont want to end.

I've heard this film dissed by so many, and I cannot for the love of god understand why. It has excitement, terrific actors and a totally awesome soundtrack.

Sorry, but to me a film with Emilio Estevez, Denis Leary, Cuba Gooding and Stephen Dorff cannot fail, nomadder HOW lame it is. It just so happens that this film is NOT lame in anyway. You're in suspence from the start to the end.

OK, so there ARE a couple of cliches under the way - this I cannot deny, but honestly, name me ONE film that totally avoids cliches in any way, share or form and I'll glady admit to have been wrong.

This movie rocks, although it is about ten years old now. But I first saw it back when it came out, and to this day I still get carried away in it!

Since seeing this film I've never been comfortable with Denis Leary as a comedian because he's so damn convincing as the cold-hearted bad guy in this. I think he's a great actor but this is the movie to see him in as it's A. His best performance and B. One of the best villains ever in movies.

Leary plays Fallon, a dangerous criminal from Chicago's bad side. And when four middle class pals from the quiet suburbs cross him and witness a murder a chase across derelict landscapes follows. The spoon-fed quartet are way out of their comfort zone and have no idea how to navigate the ghetto or deal with its dwellers. Peter Greene, an actor always like to see, plays Sykes, one of Fallon's cohorts as well as Everlast from the rap group House of Pain as Rhodes. They sure do make a threatening impression.

Judgment Night kind of comes across as a modern, urban Deliverance. There are many similarities between them but Judgment Night clearly has more excitement. Estevez (who was cast very late after Tom Cruise and Christian Slater turned down the lead role), Gooding Jnr, Piven and Dorff play well off each other and Piven especially seems to really get into the whiny runt of his character. Though the editors really should have cut down the in-fighting and petty bickering between the quartet as it often slows the film down to a complete stop.

Director Stephen Hopkins (who also did Predator 2 and Blown Away) uses creeping camera movements and neo-noir lighting to provoke multiple eerie moments as well as a great deal of tension. Slow-mo and warped sound effects are also used to great effect in the finale. Alan Silvestri's score is also one of his best, alternating between several different moods. His first score (electronic based) was rejected by Hopkins but that difficult decision proved be a good judgment (ha!) as the end result is one of the film's best features.

Judgment Night is certainly an overlooked tour-de-force and is a brilliant action film with fine performances all round, but Leary completely and utterly steals the show.

This film is awesome, and Emilio Estevez and Dennis Leary excel as the two lead roles in the film, but one can not help but notice how many times this movie has been done before. However, this is a much better entry in the "running and hiding to save your life" subgenre of thrillers. Basically, if you liked "Run", "The Warriors", or "The Running Man" you'll probably enjoy this one too.