Dead Bang

I shied away from this film initially, due to its low IMDB rating at the time, but I was very pleasantly surprised. It's based on actual events, yet the story has all the right elements of a great action film. Don Johnson's LA cop is up against tremendous odds, a renegade, a drunk, lonely, and yet an entirely likeable character. Whether you like Johnson (the actor), or Frankenheimer (the director), or action films (the genre) in general, give this film a chance. It's almost perfect. Completely underrated by the scoring on this site.

7.5 out of 10

John Frankenheimer really outdid himself when he directed this film. What an accomplishment from the director of Birdman Of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days In May, The Train and Black Sunday. Imagine a scene showing the films hero throwing up all over someone! What innovative filmaking. Seriously this is a typical cop thriller. Without the foul words it could have been an episode of Miami Vice. Don Johnson plays an alcoholic, down on his luck, loose cannon on the deck cop chasing white supremists through the Southwest. Johnson is an intense hero even if he isn't likeable in some ways. Theres a wonderful scene where he throws a fit after talking to his ex-wife. Theres a good foot chase involving several car accidents as well. My favorite part though is the one where he threatens the police shrink he compares to Woody Allen. I can understand why they never made Dead Bang 2 but this film is still worth your time if you like cop thrillers.

Ignored, but lively and well-paced crime movie with D*n *o*nso* as the every-cliche-in-the-book burned out cop. He's on the edge! He doesn't play by the rules! He has a drink problem! His marriage is on the rocks! He's a gay Nazi! Well, maybe not the last one, but there's plenty of nasty Nazis in this to hiss at. They're none-too-bright though. Would they really risk murdering a bar full of people for no reason on the way to such an important meeting? The hero cop's beating of suspects is repugnant but the humour of the film is irresistible. Great scenes include the Sheriff (nobody f***s with him!), "Don't puke! Don't puke!", The psychiatrist (he looks just like Woody Allen!) and last, but no means least, the FBI stuffed-shirt ( he's a christian, no joke!)

The ending is a little routine but the rest rocks in an unassuming way.

Another one of those TV stars who moved into movies this sadly has been put alongside with Caruso's JADE but on closer inspection all movies are not that bad..... Dead Bang is a fairly run of the mill cop against bad guys type thing but what takes it out of the run of the mill is the direction from Frankenheimer & the star turn from Johnson. Johnson gives a great performance as the stressed cop,we can see the frustration in Beck's life either doing his job or trying to see his kids,his acting is done very well & not over the top..in particular the xmas morning bust Beck makes..the start of the scene we see the alcoholic sweats to later on being sick all over the suspect. The supporting cast however do not raise their game to give the support Johnson needs with William Forsythe in particular giving a completely wooden performance which is surprizing as he has been so much better.

The action scenes are handled very well indeed...The gunfights(are they're are a few) are not to Hollywood for my liking.

On the whole a very enjoyable movie & it shows that Don Johnson should have been a movie star.

Being a Don Johnson fan, I liked this film. It's also got a good director(John Frankenheimer). Johnson's a Dirty Harry-type cop this time with all the stereotypical trimmings of the role i.e. divorced, drinks, never sees his kids, no personal life etc. This movie's got action, it's witty, funny, satirical, and it's fact-based but it's not Serpico. William Forsythe is particularly laughable as an FBI straight-man.