L.A. Crackdown

My review was written in April 1988 after watching the film on City Lights video cassette.

"L. A. Crackdown" (a sequel is already out in home video stores) is an effective, low-budget action picture that resembles an updated version of the B-pictures of the early 1950s. Made-for-home video entry is an okay rental item.

Pamela Dixon portrays an L. A. cop who works for Social Youth Organization, trying to break up the local crack ring and save young women caught in a cycle of crime. She brings two wastrels to live with her, a young, black prostitute (Kita Harrison) who was the victim of incest, and a blonde girl (Tricia Parks) involved in a drug ring. Unfortunately, her boyfriend (Jeffrey Olsen) who is a psychiatrist is caught sleeping with Harrison, and it's splitsville.

Fairlyrouine police procedure is used to finally bust the drug ring, en route to which the film stresses exploding blood packs in slow motion (way overdone). Cast is capable, fitted out with B-movie banter by prolific helmer Joseph Merhi. Pic's main failing is an unfunny, strained subplot about porno filmmaking which yields an unsatisfactory, who cares? Ending.