Missão Perigosa

This was Tony Quinn's last film. He was dying of cancer of the throat when the film was being made and it shows in his weakness in the film. Appropriately, he gets offed and indeed, he was dying and died before the film was released. A grand old man who gave us lots of moments in hundreds of films from bad guys to good guys, always in the character realm. This film with Maddy Stowe and Sly Stallone is a fun film that wanders between being a kind of Prizzi's Honor in the chick-flick mode to a rather slap-stick comedy. However, what the reviewers herein who are panning Stallone with their "he's over the hill" comments seem to miss is that old Sly can do more than Arnie Swartzenegger clenched teeth grimacing action films with usually lousy story lines. True, this film at times can't seem to make up its mind whether to be a black comedy or pratt-fall filled lampoon of the traditional gangster/mafioso genre. No matter. It's fun because Stowe and Stallone are a delight to watch. Although, it does make one sad to know this was old Tony's last film, we should appreciate he worked right up to the last gasp, as it were. Ciao, Tony and thanks for all the good times. You'll be missed.

This is what is termed a Screwball Comedy, a Romantic Comedy. Remember, that's all this movie is so expect foolish silliness and just enjoy with laughter. If you don't like foolish silliness then don't bother watching this film. A couple of scenes are funny just because they are so ironic.

Sylvester Stallone plays straight man to Madeleine Stowe's zany character. Both are great in their roles. I found myself laughing at things I normally would not laugh at but the timing was perfect and completely caught me without warning. This is another example of how Stallone is moving away from the stereo typical characters he has helped create; not to say he won't do more of those but he continues to branch out.

This movie is dedicated to the memory of Anthony Quinn. This was his very last film appearance. His work on this film was long enough, considering his health and age. Watch the featurette for more on Anthony Quinn. It may bring tears to your eyes to remember this wonderful man and the many wonderful performances he has given us over six decades.

There's a little mystery thrown into the movie. Watch for clues here and there and see if you can solve the mystery.

This is a story about a woman who is not who she believes she was. After a family boss, Angelo (Anthony Quinn in his last role before his death), is whacked by a rival family. His former bodyguard, Frankie (Sylvester Stallone), delivers a tape to his daughter, Jennifer (Madeleine Stowe). The tape informs her that he was her father and had to give her to another couple for her own safety, due to the business he was in and the danger she was in. From that point on, Frankie then began looking after Jennifer until he was sure she was safe.

It sounds and looks more like an action/crime drama movie at first but once she finds out who she is, that is where it turns into a chick flick. Madeleine Stowe was all right as Jennifer, but they could have made a much better choice. Jennifer Lopez could have played the role which proves it is a chick flick, but I'd still rather have someone different. Need more proof? There is a scene where Frankie tries to teach Jennifer how to walk more like a woman through demonstration.

Although it did fall more into the chick flick category more than any other, it did have it's moments to keep the men entertained as well. A few shootings, fight scenes and even a few farts for laughs. If I had to pick a movie that was similar, it would be The Whole Nine Yards with Bruce Willis as the suburbanite hit-man, although Avenging Angelo was not meant to be a comedy.

I hate to say this, but Stallone is not aging well at all. He needs to pick better roles altogether. This was one of his better ones, recently, but can do better. Shade comes to mind as one of his better achievements of recent years and should pick more roles like that. He pretty much "jumped the shark" around Copland and he certainly does not look like Rocky or Rambo anymore, which is a shame. I loved those movies and would have liked to see more of that nature from him. Time waits for no man I suppose.

Another actor who did a good job here was Billy Gardell, who played Bruno the hit-man. He reminds me a bit of Chris Penn and I liked his character here. 6.5/10

Disclaimer: I am a Stallone fan, so this is not by any means an impartial review. Still, I readily admit that Sylvester Stallone has made both good and bad films. This is definitely one of the former, though not typical of his better work.

Stallone will never get any respect for his acting in the mainstream press, which is too bad: if he were an unknown in this role, and had given an identical performance, the press would laud him for his ability to handle subtle bits of comedy interspersed with action and gunplay. But he's Stallone- with all the baggage that carries, both good and bad- so his work is often overlooked.

If I were assisting Mr. Stallone's career, I would have suggested putting this out in film, and keeping 'Get Carter' for video.

Madeline Stowe has always been vaguely annoying to me, but not in this film. For one thing, one has to give kudos to her for her amazing physical shape: she's beautiful, with a figure that a lot of current 20-year-olds should aspire to! She deftly handles both the comic and the pathos of the script.

Rent it with an open mind. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

When I knew that Anthony Quinn was in this title, I had to see it. It's nice to see The Master on the big screen one more time.

The story line for this film is nice and funny but unfortunatly there was a slight miss cast... The Leads!!! Sylvester Stallone is a great actor, no doubt about that, but the character here is faced with comedic situations and even has some funny lines. I admire the change that Stallone made to his roles, but let's face it... he's not funny at all. He can do great in drama, action... but not comedy!!

Madline Stowe was fine but not convencing enough. It was obvious from the first look that there was no chemistry between the two. That can be seen clearly from the seen where Frankie trains Jennifer the cat walk. to me that's the worst scene in the movie.

I personally liked the Funeral scene. I felt as if it was the last goodbye to Anthony Quinn.

In short... The movie is entertaining but not worth going all the way to the theatre. If you are a Quinn fan, then rent it to see him for the last time.