MovieFreak.com - Loose Cannons DVD Review

DVD REVIEW

Loose Cannons (1990)

Starring: Gene Hackman, Dan Aykroyd, Tom De Luise

Director: Bob Clark

Rating: R

Studio: Columbia Tristar

Release Date: 7.08.03

Review Posted: 7.08.03

Spoilers: None

Reviewed by Dennis Landmann

Synopsis

Mac (Gene Hackman), a Washington, DC, police detective, is teamed with a new partner, Ellis (Dan Aykroyd), to break open a case that involves the FBI, Nazis, Israelis, and pornographers. The plot involves the fight for the possession of a pornographic film starring Hitler and a prominent German politician.

Critique

Loose Cannons is an out-of-control film that tries to splice together comedy and suspense. Even Dan Aykroyd can’t save this rotten tomato. But why should he? This film is unfunny and quite boring. Just looking at the DVD cover gives a weak impression. The plot line is somewhat amusing, but the execution of the script just doesn’t work. Since the script is loaded with ridiculous situations, not to mention the ever-occurring sexual innuendo jokes, the two stars of the film are in trouble, and the viewers are basically screwed.

Gene Hackman plays a cop who lives inside his outdated car. To call him boring would do him better service. And then he wears this red football jacket throughout the film. What’s up with wardrobe, huh? Meanwhile, Dan Aykroyd plays some form of forensics investigator with a multiple personality problem, or schizophrenia. Aside from taking on a few funny personalities, impersonating them rather well with some good energy, such as Captain Kirk and others, the rest of his material is just weak. He looks bored. And let me tell you, if one of your top-billed stars looks like that, trouble is near. Basically, the material that’s there for Hackman and Aykroyd, mostly insipid dialogue and a few odd situations, degrades their talents and begs the question, "what did they do to deserve this?"

Not everything about this film is troublesome, but the few scenes that are enjoyable are just too limited in quantity to make an impact in any way. On top of that, Bob Clark’s uneven direction makes matters worse. He directs a particular part of a chase scene like it’s a bicycle chase. The film’s Nazi villains pursue Hackman and Aykroyd through a busy warehouse going 35 mph or close to that. Overall, Clark’s direction is just fine and I’m not criticizing him, but with a script such as this one there’s not much he can do than go down with it. Granted, it’s not all his fault, since he did not write the script alone. The two other writers are Richard Christian Matheson and Richard Matheson (these guys have the same first name, huh). I can’t comment any more on the script, because I got the point across earlier.

So that’s it. Loose Cannons is bad. Hackman and Aykroyd, among others, should be doing community service to make up for the 90 minutes I lost from my life.

2 out of 10

The Video

Columbia Tristar presents Loose Cannons in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen. The video presentation for this lackluster film is decent. There’s nothing special about this transfer. Why should there be? Noticeable dirt and grain show up in more than a few scenes. The image quality is alright, the film is not that old. Colors are fine, but not defined by any means. Color detail is alright. Dark tones and black levels are inconsistent, no real surprise. Overall, the video presentation for Loose Cannons looks slightly better than the film itself. If that is saying something I’m not sure, but who cares.

7 out of 10

The Audio

Columbia Tristar presents Loose Cannons in English Dolby Surround. Dialog scenes are clear and easy to understand. Sound effects come across nicely as the front speakers are at work. Usage of the rear speakers is not the case, although there are parts in the film that would have benefited from a surround presentation. The music soundtrack sounds fine. Paul Zaza’s score comes in here and there, but makes no attempt to be something more than ordinary. Loose Cannons sounds alright.

7 out of 10

The Extras

The only feature here is the film’s Theatrical Trailer and bonus trailers. You can select to view the film with optional English, French, Spanish, Japanese and Portuguese subtitles (whoa!). The DVD’s menus are not animated. The 93-minute feature is organized into twenty-eight chapters.

0 out of 10

Overall

Loose Cannons is not a good film. It’s pretty bad. Video and audio presentations are fairly decent. Without special features and in combination with a seriously weak script, Loose Cannons is a dud that’s not worth recommending to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

RATINGS SUMMARY