Harbour Beat

I'll be honest, I expected more from this. I knew what I would be in for, as having seen Signal One or Shark's Paradise,but I expected this to be better. Two things in this, are the only movie's worth, nudity and Hannah. Why the hell did he agree to fly over and do this one. Even the film's pause, end credit scene, is unremarkable, and sorrily that's what this film is, including it's let down of formula story, that's onerous in these t.v. movies, of sun, surf, and bad guys. Hannah, creating a hell of a stink in Glasgow, after nailing and shaming a city counceller involved in exporting drugs, is reassigned to, you guessed it, Australia, well Sydney, a city I love. Partnered up with a slack, loose cop (Vidler), who believes relaxation is key, they investigate a shady business developer, responsible for demolishing many businesses and reconstructing his own paradise's, along with the distribution of drugs. Of course, we know right from the start, the ex cop (Day) who passed on his job to Vidler is bent. This goes without saying, unless your iq is 3. Hannah is great to watch, but the chemistry between these two is void, where normally in this scenario of partners, we have angry opposites. We don't here (another unremark- I won't say that word again) although Hannah's untrusting self, is quite quite a snooty sharp SOB, who at times, I didn't really like. The theme song played in the preview rocks, but it's a shame not much else does in this movie, where we have a familiar Empty Beach moment too, on the undulating waves of Bondi. Oh, did I mention the script. Better I don't. A disappointing and unremarkable view, but some nice location views of Sydney, and some spray tanning. Be thankful, this didn't become a series. Reached video shelves 3 years after it's release. What does that tell ya?

Unreleased in cinemas, HARBOUR BEAT was a good idea with an interesting cast. However, as an idea, it ended up more successfully on television in a TV cops in speedboats show called WATER RATS. Scot actor John Hannah went onto greater heights in FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL and THE MUMMY. Australian lead Steve Vidler worked again with the same director (Elfick) in the excellent rural family drama NO WORRIES and later directed the dramatic rape murder pic BLACKROCK. HARBOUR BEAT filmed on Sydney Harbour and around Bondi Beach probably has more interest for International viewers; in Oz it plays more like a telemovie and turned out to be basically that: the in adverted pilot for what turned out to be a network series about exactly the same thing. It is well made and looks good...all sunny and sparkling with groovy cars and handsome lead actors. Even the gorgeous Peta Toppano makes one of her rare screen appearances.

Neil McBride is a Scottish cop who steps on one too many toes when he arrests a bent city councillor. He is told he will be disgraced or can be transferred to Australia. McBride is partnered with Lance Cooper whose partner has recently retired. However Cooper is a bit of a loose cannon as well and the two men don't help each other to stick to procedure. They match up on a drugs investigation and McBride begins to look into the owners of a suspect house. However someone tries to kill Lance and they realise they're on the right track with the property developer De Santos.

If it looks like a standard `mismatched' cop movie, smells like a standard `mismatched' cop movie and plays like a standard `mismatched' cop movie then it probably is a standard mismatched cop movie. This fits all those categories and for a very good reason - that's exactly what it is. I only watched this because it had a young John Hannah in it and it caught my eye. The gimmick of Scottish cop down under isn't well used and it is pretty average fare for the most part.

The plot isn't too much cop but is quite enjoyable. It has some nice touches and is actually quite dramatic but it is quite predictable really. The twists are good but not stuff you won't have seen else where done just as well or better.

The cast actually help make it watchable. All the Australian accents make it feel like a soap opera and Vidler isn't very good. Happily John Hannah rises above the material and gives a strong performance despite a character who is a tough nut cliché. He is watchable in almost every scene.

Overall there is a reason why not many people will have seen this film - because it's average at best. It passes the time but the plot is hokey and doesn't make total sense when you think about it. However Hannah is worth watching and outshines all those bad Australian actors who will probably all end up doing a soap at some point of their careers!