Final Combination

Mediocre thriller about an asthmatic detective(Michael Madsen)and a young reporter(Lisa Bonet)trying to get a line on a serial killer(Gary Stretch) who makes obscene phone calls and leaves most of his victims in motel rooms. Brutality and a glimpse of sex. Just not enough to even be a mild winner. Also in the cast:Lisa Sinclair, Jimmy Ortega, John Clayton Schafer and Parker Posey.

If you share my opinion that Michael Madsen is just about the epitome of "cool", and that he can be interesting to watch even when HE isn't very interested in a project, then you have at least one good reason to sit through this watchable but predictable and formulaic thriller (he also has a nice, easy chemistry with co-star Lisa Bonet). The film doesn't become actively bad until the ridiculous turn of events that leads to the climax. (**)

Who doesn't like Michael Madsen? Surely he is this generations' Robert Mitchum. His breakout role in "Reservoir Dogs" was followed by "The Getaway", "Wyatt Earp", "Species", "Frankie the Fly", etc. and then the two "Kill Bill" films. He's one of Hollywood's busiest actors and even in this terrible film he's worth watching. So what can go wrong when he plays a detective in this film?

Lisa Bonet plays a reporter and she does a good job too. Bonet was the oldest child of the Huxtables and went on to be a serious actress in films like "Angel Heart" and "High Fidelity" and TV series "Life on Mars" and "Ray Donovan".

Cheap production values and a poor script make this film almost unwatchable, but Madsen and Bonet do some decent work.

Here's a cute entertaining little SK thriller. Of course, not up there, with the mainstream ones, we've come to know and love, this one can be adored for it's slick, snappy cuteness. Another reason, the film is headlined by one of the coolest new, and busiest actors, who mostly plays bad guy roles. Here, Madsen, is in top form, with a different hair color, and shades lighter, real good looking in the day. Here he's a detective/former quarterback, on the trail of a handsome sex killer, Pommy accent and all. Here our maniac, who can pack of a punch, which had me reminiscing with the killer in Fear City, is slashing up young girls, in some bloody scenes. One of the first victims, appearing in this is a prime example of how women can be bitches. Madsen also likes chasing young skirts, half his age, and, a touch I liked, is he's asthmatic, so he's got his work cut out for him. It's good to see him in a role like this, and forgetting Mr Blonde, this is one of my most enjoyable performances from him. Lisa Bonet, as a reporter, and a romantic interest of Mdsen's puts in a good performance, where the interesting and cool casting playoff, does gel. It's good to see her back on screen. Nick Stretch (Business For Pleasure) is too cool for school as the sex killer, where the mutual hatred shared between the two increases the likeness for this movie, which is very entertaining, with a couple of twists, but like I said, it's not in the league of the Manhunters, Lams, Sevens, but as a B grade one, it's very good. Check out this Madsen, definite pic.

Lame low budget thriller cashes in on the notoriety Michael Madsen earned from his performance as Mr. Blond in "Reservoir Dogs" and cast him in a rare heroic role (although casting him as the kind stepdad in "Free Willy" was even more far astray). Madsen plays a detective trying to track down a serial killer and also falls for Bill Cosby's TV daughter, Lisa Bonet., who as you might have guessed becomes a target of the killer It's all pretty boring and feels more like an old USA channel made-for-TV movie (back when USA only made "Silk Stockings" and Baywatch ripoffs featuring bicycle pants-wearing beach cops). On the plus side, Parker Posey has a small supporting role, but there's really no reason to recommend this film. FUN FACT! This film was an early score by composer Rolfe Kent, before he went on to more respectable of films like "Election," "Up in the Air," and "Sideways."