To the Limit: une femme à abattre

To the Limit represents everything wrong with mid-90s direct-to-video action cinema, wrapped in a package so transparently exploitative it borders on parody. This sequel to "DaVinci's War" stumbles through its revenge thriller premise with the grace of a drunk rhinoceros, delivering a viewing experience that feels less like entertainment and more like endurance testing.

The film's visual presentation epitomizes the era's low-budget aesthetic with flat, television-quality cinematography that drains any potential tension from action sequences. Lighting appears haphazardly arranged, casting harsh shadows that emphasize the cheap production values rather than creating atmosphere. The action choreography, while occasionally showing flashes of competence, suffers from uninspired direction that reduces shootouts and fight scenes to perfunctory obligations rather than compelling spectacle.

Anna Nicole Smith's performance as the vengeful ex-CIA operative Collette carries the weight of someone clearly cast for reasons having nothing to do with dramatic ability. Her line delivery alternates between wooden monotone and overwrought melodrama, never finding a natural rhythm that serves the character's supposed lethal professionalism. While her physical presence dominates the screen (as clearly intended), Smith struggles with even basic dialogue scenes, making her character's supposed intelligence background laughably unconvincing.

The supporting cast fares marginally better, with Joey Travolta bringing workmanlike competence to his mobster role, though he cannot elevate the material beyond its inherent limitations. Michael Nouri appears to be sleepwalking through his performance, delivering lines with the enthusiasm of someone reading grocery lists. The various character actors populating the criminal underworld feel recycled from dozens of similar productions, contributing to the film's generic, assembly-line quality.

The script's attempts at complexity through its dual revenge storylines only serve to highlight the writers' inability to craft coherent character motivations or believable relationships. Plot developments feel arbitrary rather than earned, with convenient coincidences driving the narrative forward when logic fails. The dialogue oscillates between exposition-heavy information dumps and cringe-inducing one-liners that land with the impact of wet cement.

What emerges is a film that understands the surface elements of action thrillers but completely misses their emotional core. The revenge theme, potentially rich with dramatic possibility, becomes a shallow excuse for violence and exploitation. The pacing lurches between sluggish character development and frantic action, never establishing a consistent tone or building genuine suspense.

Although Anna Nicole Smith will never be mistaken for a legitimate actress or action star, at least she doesn't embarrass herself in "To The Limit" because the film has been carefully designed to keep her confined within her acting / action limitations (only one - brief - dramatic moment, only one - brief - fight, etc.). The requisite sex / shower scenes do appear, but they are almost treated as an afterthought, as an obligation. The film has a surprisingly intricate plot (quite confusing in fact, at least during the first half), and some of the action / chase sequences (like one where Anna has to drive backwards while the bad guys are shooting at her at the same time) aren't bad. Overall, it's an OK low-budget action film, and really, what more than "OK" could you expect in this case? (**)

I had the misfortune of catching this at one of the low-quality cable channels a while ago. And i was astounded at how bad it was. I can't say that i expected a cinematic experience of note either, but the only thing taken to the limit here is how much junk the viewer can endure.

The plot with Anna-Nicole Smith as an ex-CIA agent feels thinner than paper. But the execution is even worse. This is part soft-core porn, looking like something out of a Playboy-video, and part lousy zero-budget action flick. Who is the intended audience for something like this?! Do we even want to know?! This is like a manual in horrible film-making. Truly not worth watching for anyone. I rate this 1/10, but only because no lower grade was available.

'To The Limit' is one of two action flicks Anna Nicole Smith did for PM in the 90's. Unlike 'Skyscraper' it's not an awful 'Die Hard' clone nor does she get the most screentime despite top billing. Whenever or not this is false advertising or a blessing is up to you. However she still gets naked a bunch in a plot that wasn't nearly as bad as I expected.

Mob boss Frank DaVinci (Joey Travolta) is targeted for death by a hit squad on his wedding day, but survives. At the same time, CIA agents Colette (ANS) & China (Michael Nouri) are supposed to be taken out by a car bomb that only kills the latter. Rogue CIA chief Jameson (Jack Bannon) wants both of them dead and the retrieval of a computer disc that could see his exploits finally exposed.

The story is a little disjointed and obviously carried out cheaply, but I can't pretend to be upset about it's quality or lack thereof. Anna was no actress yet comes off decent (better than 'Skyscraper') and looks great here. Nouri has a few scenes, b-movie fans will recognize Branscombe Richmond and David Proval (UHF, Sopranos). What you might not know (I didn't until afterwards) is this was a sequel to b-movie 'Da Vinci's War' involving a lot of the same cast.

First fifteen mins of 'To The Limit' supply three gratuitous bits of female nudity (two by ANS) and okay gunplay. More nudity including a shower for Smith and quite a few explosions. I had to pause the movie when Anna has sex with Travolta because I was laughing so hard. Wait until a CD-ROM gets put to killer use too. Laughs, boobs make this a fun trip.

Looking for a porn flick but don't dare to rent one because the clerk is a girl? Longing for grotesque silicone breasts that look like weather balloons? Don't really care whether the plot seems to be added after the film was shot? Grab this one and run home. But, I must warn you. If you want even the slightest glimmer of intelligence, wit or good taste to appear for just a second, you'll be disappointed. This film has absolutely none of it.