Fast Getaway

A rather entertaining (to me anyway) Corey Haim movie from 1991. It is a movie that is fast as the pace is fast as is the run time for this picture. So you do not have to invest a whole lot of time in this adventure, but to me it was a fun adventure. There is a gang of criminals that plan their heists to perfection. Everything is split second timing and the getaways are also to the letter. Well there are four members in this gang and as so often is the case there is a split as certain members get greedy and think they should get a bigger cut. So off goes two of the members leaving Corey Haim and his dad's character on their own and you find out quickly that the female and other guy in the gang are not nearly as effective without the other two. The brains of the outfit is the Corey Haim character and without him the other two are lost, so near the end of the film they kidnap him and force him to plan heists for them. The film is rather good, the cast is rather funny. Corey is good as the brains and I thought the guy playing his dad was rather good too as I loved the scene where they were falling off the bridge. Cynthia Rothrock plays the female of the gang and as I usually do not care for her in other movies she is okay here. She usually takes on this super guys in movies and once I saw a movie where she gets hit by this humongous guy dead on and she barely flinched, sorry not going to happen. She may be good at karate, but if she were to be hit as hard as it was depicted in that movie she would be unconscious on the ground. Here though she only takes on normal dudes and I figure she could handle them. There would later be a sequel to this film, but I did not enjoy that one at all.

If a viewer sat to watch this without knowing anything of it, not even the year it was released, 'Fast getaway' reveals its nature as soon as it begins. We're treated to slightly dulled cinematography, a hot-headed teen protagonist, a father-son dynamic, light and ham-handed but sometimes unconvincing humor, and needless crass sexism in the dialogue and scene writing. None of these are exactly points in the movie's favor, and at no time could it be confused for anything but B-grade fare - while enjoyable, it's never robustly, actively engaging. Yet a little uncomplicated, cheesy action comedy has never hurt anyone, has it?

In fairness, the stunts and action sequences - mostly chase scenes - are done very well, and duly entertaining. Though we're treated to some tropes and predictable story beats, there are dashes of cleverness scattered throughout. Relegated to a small supporting role, it's nonetheless fun to watch Cynthia Rothrock turn up the playful smarm as conniving criminal conspirator Lilly, and there's minor gleeful energy in seeing her play opposite Ken Lerner as Lilly's notably less witty partner, Tony. Yes, Rothrock's martial arts skills are employed only to the same purposefully gauche ends, but that's no major fault. 'Fast getaway' will never be remembered for world-class acting, but the cast at large do a good job of embracing the spirit of the modest (if too often juvenile) romp.

Even bearing in mind the gawky, deliberate flavors that the film maintains, James Dixon's screenplay is a little overbearing at points. Even putting aside noted strains of sexism, the dialogue and scene writing is outright crude in some instances (boys will be boys, dontcha know, hyuk hyuk). The narrative is pretty unremarkable, not especially feeling any different from a slew of similar titles we've all seen at one time or another, and the same is true of the characters as written. The feature's technical craft, or rounding details like costume design, hair and makeup, and so on, are done well such as they are, but don't specifically inspire. 'Fast getaway' mostly occupies a familiar and well populated cinematic space, and it's hard for much about it to stand out.

Still, though definitely flawed, I can't say I didn't have a good time. The action is concretely ramped up at the climax, lending to a satisfying air of tension and suspense. Marcia Strassman lends a measure of welcome sincerity in her supporting role as Lorraine. All in all, I think my expectations were met rather squarely, if not in the ways I anticipated. It's nothing anyone ever needs to go out of their way to see, but if you're a particular fan of someone in the cast it's passable enough. Moreover, this is the type of picture to put on if you want something amusing but unsophisticated to help pass the time. I can't fathom any reason for 'Fast getaway' to earn a notably strong recommendation, but it's good enough as it is.

My review was written in July 1991 after watching the film on RCA/Columbia video cassette.

A pleasant, unpretentious action picture, "Fast Getaway" will appeal to video fans tired of overblown, hyped-up cinema. Typical of medium-range indie product today, pic had only brief regional test ruins this spring before its ancillary release.

Drive-ins are the natural home for this amoral romp depicting the misadventures of an itinerant gang of bank robbers that include Leo Rossi and his son Corey Haim.

Plot is set into motion when dissension spits up the quartet, leaving Cynthia Rothrock and Len Lerner with a grudge against Rossi and fils. They fink to the cops, and Rossi is caught. Haim's real mother (Marcia Strasman) claims the youngster but poses as an old friend of his dad's rather than coming clean with her true identity.

Haim's reuniting with his dad (he breaks him out of jail) and gradual return to a nuclear family are the subplots to a pic heavy on chases and stunts.

Debuting feature director Spro Razatos brings a background of stunt direction that pays off in several exciting sequences, notably a scene of our heroes hanging off a bridge far above a river.

Acting by the principals is fine, with Rossi and Haim a comfortable team and martial arts star Rothrock giving a good showcase combining her high-kicking violent streak with sex appeal. Beautiful young actress Shelli Lether is a find as the neighbor who ends Haim's lingering virginity.

The most notable thing with this movie might just be how strikingly handsome Corey Haim is here. The cover art doesn't do him justice at all.

Haim got pigeonholed into these often weird slapstick heavy movies. He does handle slapstick well so no problem there.

As long as you know you're getting a Haim slapstick movie, it's not bad.

But there are script and production problems here. The bridge across the canyon sequence (with Haim in a dress) is such a bizarre set piece, it feels like a hallucination. Beyond that, the gag where the two leads are falling goes on and on and on. It starts to feel like Bill and Ted or the like and quite out of place.

The final action sequence also somehow isn't as funny as it's trying to be. Perhaps because it feels like Haim's character really is in peril.

This film did not work on many levels. Its been covered on other previous reviews. I would have to agree, and that is why my rating is a 6. There is nothing more aggravating than a movie with big gaping holes in it. Especially in regards to some of the action sequences being absurdly unrealistic. In most cases, these things ruin a film. Not so in this film! Its just not the type of film for some reason that is ruined by such things. Go figure. In my opinion, This films strengths lie in the talent of its lead and the fun that I had as an audience member who was able to suspend his disbelief. Mr. Haim completely makes this possible.

I rented this movie because I've always enjoyed Corey Haim. Im a child of the 80z so... I think his performance as an actor in this is magnificent! Im an actor myself and let me tell ya, it isn't easy! An audience member may think its easy because all they see is the finished product. But the mark of a good actor is that they make it look easy! The work involved is very painstaking to say the least. There are so many moments where Corey plays the love, humor, mischief, etc... Actors don't play those things on screen very well generally speaking. What a rare talent! I give Mr. Haim a 12 out of 10 here. The movie. A 6. Peace and Love and you will be missed Corey Haim.