My review was written in May 1986 after a Times Square screening.
"Getting Even", filmed in Texas as "Hostage: Dallas" (a title retained for international distribution), is an uninteresting thriller that finally picks up steam in its last reel due to some exciting aerial and building-top stunts. Pic has been in regional release since February.
Edward Albert toplines as Taggar, a successful Dallas industrialist who steals a deadly new poison gas from the Russkies in Afghanistan (an unconvincing, chintzy opening also shot in Texas) on orders of our government. His chemical company is under government contract to develop an antidote, and federal agent Paige Starsen (Audrey Landers), who trained and romanced years ago with Taggar, is sent to Dallas to see what's taking him so long in the lab.
Rival chemical magnate King Kenderson (Joe Don Baker), king of the good ole boys) is in sorry financial condition, and hits upon the dumb idea of stealing the poison gas from Taggar. After the theft, his scientific wiz Molly (Caroline Williams) immediately self-destructs via some sloppy lab technique that contaminates her, whereupon Kenderson sends Taggar a ransom note asking for $50,000,000 or he will kill off the denizens of Dallas with his gas.
Taggar gets the money out of petty cash and several double crosses later he and Starsen retrieve the gas, vow to get out of the weapons business and live happily ever after. As stated, final reel of helicopter chases, stunt climbs and falls almost counteracts the four preceding reels of relentless dullness. Until that finale, director Dwight Little lets the pace lag and gives no evidence that there is anything to worry about, hardly the approach necessary for a doomsday thriller.
Edward Albert smirks his way through the main role, Landers is merely decorative and Joe Don Baker hard to hate as a villain for a change. Remainder of the cast is weak.
