City in Fear

CITY OF FEAR follows three separate, but intertwined storylines: #1- A newspaper mogul (Robert Vaughn) buys The Los Angeles Sun, hoping to drastically increase its lagging circulation. #2- A former star reporter (David Janssen) is brought back to his old position by its new owner in hopes that he can recapture his past glory. #3- A budding serial killer (Mickey Rourke) is getting started on what will be a horrific number of slayings. #3- A cop (Perry King) is on the case, a case that will grow far bigger than he could imagine.

The strength of this made-for-TV drama lies in how well these stories are fleshed out. This isn't just another madman-on-the-loose movie. It's an epic human drama with an intelligent plot. The ins and outs of the newspaper business, the police investigation, the murderer's psyche, are all presented in a believable way. Nothing seems overblown or ridiculous. This is smart, engrossing television.

The characters are realistic, especially Janssen's, who has many problems. He's certainly not the typical Hollywood hero! Rourke plays the stalking gunman as an extremely dangerous, messed up man, not some omniscient, psychopathic mastermind.

This is a classic crime drama, and a fitting farewell to Mr. Janssen, who put in a stellar performance...