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Laramie Movie Scope:
Hudson Hawk

A cartoonish action hero

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
[Strip of film rule]

May 29, 1991 -- ``Hudson Hawk,'' is a live action feature, but it is like a cartoon in many ways.

For instance, Hudson Hawk, played by Bruce Willis, and his friend, played by Danny Aiello, both fall off of high buildings and are not hurt in the least. They also survive a series of beatings, knifings and shootings with barely a scratch.

In one fight sequence, Willis is being beaten up by a secret agent played by James Coburn and after Coburn stops hitting him Willis keeps going through the motions of being hit. Big laugh. Very cartoon-like.

This would be a great film for kids except for the occasional four-letter word and the graphic violence. In one scene, two men are shot in the head. In another scene a man's head is cut off and it goes rolling across the floor. In another scene a man's throat is slashed. Not exactly kids stuff, hence the ``R'' rating, but the kids are sure to see it anyway when it comes out on video.

This is a very odd mixture of silly comedy and graphic violence. It is entertaining, but you feel almost guilty laughing at the film. Siskel and Ebert call this a ``guilty pleasure'' film. I'll give this film a passing grade because it does not take itself seriously and does deliver some laughs and some good action as well as a lot of outrageous silliness. The film also stars Andie MacDowell and features a deliciously wicked comic performance by Sandra Bernhard.

On a scale of one to 10 this film rates a six.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)