The Last of the Finest

"The Last Of The Finest" didn't do a great deal of business when it was first release, possibly because the studio tried to market it as an action movie (it really isn't), and Dennehy, best known for playing heavies, possibly didn't fit audience's idea of a hero. Actually, Dennehy is pretty good playing his atypical role, believable as a cop who is honest and tries to do the right thing. The supporting cast is also pretty good in their roles. But the central conflict, dealing with bad guys in high places trying to interfere with the conflicts in Central America, is pretty standard stuff. I think that if they had tried to make this more of an action-oriented movie, it would have played a lot better. It's not a bad movie, just somewhat flat as it is. You will find it more entertaining if you watch it on commercial TV, however, because the ludicrous dubbing to remove the extensive foul language is unintentionally funny.

The Last of the Finest, also released as Street Legal, is a fair action film from 1990, starring Brian Dennehy as Officer Frank Daly of the LAPD, and he and his fellow officers (Joe Pantoliano, Jeff Fahey and Bill Paxton) are up aganist a drug operaton headed by a US Government agent (Guy Boyd). After the investigation grows cold, Daly is forced to turn in his badge, but he takes matters into his own hands and also doesn't realize that his former police captain (Henry Darrow) is also apart of the operation. After Bill Paxton's character is killed, Daly does what any honest cop would, to bring justice back, or let the Government get away with the crime. Director John MacKenzie tries to build up a good cop story, but seems to rely mostly on tongue in check, not to mention some slow moving scenes, without action or adventure. However the ending showdown on a Los Angeles football field was pretty good, the helicopter crash looked rather authentic. But like most early 90's action films, The Last of the Finest is an average film most of us have probably seen.

While I can't say "Last of the Finest" will go down as one of the most memorable films ever made, I am a bit surprised at how few reviews there are for it on this site since it is pretty decent for what it is. The movie is about a squad of four elite vice cops, who take their favorite past time of football just as seriously as do their job. They were formed to do the stuff that the ordinary cops couldn't. But when they start hitting brick walls after a failed drug bust, they begin to suspect that their superiors and possibly even some powerful players in the US government are involved in the drug trade in order to support some rebels fighting in Central America. So in order to find out the truth, they decide to resign and work outside the law. Admittedly this probably sounds similar to other films you might have seen. But the film manages to maintain it's own feel, manly due to the camaraderie and chemistry among the actors who play our heroes. You have the always enjoyable Brian Dennehy as the group's leader Frank, Joe Pantoliano as Wayne, Jeff Fahey as Ricky, and Brian Paxton as Hojo. All play their parts well and Brian Dennehy is able to shine as the one of the good guys instead of the usual heavies he's played through out his career.

And while the story may not be the most original ever written, it is one that has good dialog and also one that has an important message under the surface: Never, under any circumstances, trust your government, especially when they claim to be doing something for the common good! The film especially shows this at the very end in a sly, clever way. When you see it, you'll know what I mean. The movie does start out a little slow but at the same time you do get a chance to really know the characters and care about them. The movie also has some pretty decent villains in the form of Michael C. Gwynne as the Slimy Anthony Reece and Guy Boyd as Norringer. Like I mentioned earlier, the film seems to have gone under the radar. Perhaps it's because the market was already saturated with cop-buddy films at that time and the audience probably was getting tired of them by then. Still, if you should find yourself with nothing to do and are looking for a decent cop film, give "Last of the Finest" a chance.

This movie is about what you would expect just from the title and looking at the art on the DVD box. It's a bunch of expert, no nonsense drug cops who are in a war against drugs and there turns out to be corruption high up the ladder. So they have to fight against the odds to keep their war against crime going. Some surprisingly good acting by some decent actors like Dennehy and Pantoliano (spelling?), this one is worth watching if you get a chance.

I was pleased with the cast of reputable players. The story is one of standing up for a cause, even if you are at personal risk in doing so. In a time where violence and pain are often in the movie forefront, this movie focuses on the old fashioned good cop. Although similar plots have been done repeatedly, these guys pull it off well. Kick back and enjoy. Dennehy is a master of taking over a movie.