F/X

This '80s crime drama is centred on Rollie Tyler; a movie special effects man who has been approached by a member of the US Justice Department to make it appear that a mafia boss, who is due to give evidence has been publicly murdered. He is initially less than keen but ultimately agrees. The job appears to go according to plan but as he is driven away afterwards it is clear that he is seen as a loose end needing to be cleared up. He manages to get away but they still want him dead. After a further attempt on his life leaves somebody close to him dead as well as the would-be assassin; this leads to detective Lt. Leo McCarthy investigating these deaths. While he investigates from the police side Rollie is using his special effects skills to evade capture and close in on those who want him dead.

This film does show its age at times but it is still a lot of fun. The story is effective and provides a good excuse for some solid action and inventive use of effects. As well as being a drama there are quite a few good comedy moments... although during a car chase scene the comedy does feel a little too forced. Bryan Brown is solid as protagonist Rollie Tyler and Brian Dennehy impressed as Lt. McCarthy; it was surprising that these two leads didn't meet for most of the film. The rest of the cast, with one or two exceptions was also pretty good. Overall this is a pretty good film that fans of 80's films and real, non-CGI, effects should enjoy.

A movie special effects man is running for his life in "F/X," a 1986 film starring Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Jerry Orbach, and Mason Adams. Strangely enough, the movie also features two actresses from my alma mater, Diana Venora and Josie de Guzman.

Rollie Tyler (Brown) takes on a rush job for the government - they want it to look as if their primo informant (Orbach) has been murdered to take the danger out of getting him to the courtroom and protecting him afterward. But like Rollie's work, things aren't what they seem, and Rollie finds himself on the run.

Despite its name, F/X isn't a big movie, and the special effects are things you can see on any television show. What makes it unique is the way Rollie uses his wits and skill to elude those after him. One of the most exciting scenes occurs as Rollie, in his F/X van, careens through the streets of New York, using every trick he knows to get away from the police. Not your average car chase.

Australian actor Bryan Brown, who achieved fame and a beautiful wife from the miniseries "The Thorn Birds" is terrific as the desperate Rollie. Brian Dennehy plays a rogue cop - he's funny and effective, and the late Jerry Orbach, whose career spanned stage, films, and television, is the perfect mob informant.

F/X inspired a television show of the same name starring Cameron Daddo and also a sequel. For a little movie, it did quite well, managing to entertain with drama, humor, and thrills. It's a lot of fun.

"F/X" is a underrated little movie from the 80's , that I believe deserves some kind of recognition. It manages to entertain with drama, humor, and thrills. It's a lot of fun. I wouldn't call it an action movie. I agree there is some action here , but personally I think this movie is more of a thriller.

The idea for the story is very original - a special effects expert gets involved with a police and mafia . "F/X" is a great love letter for all those special effects guys (and girls) that were some kind of magicians in the past , when computers weren't involved in creating the movie magic.

"F/X" feels like "Home alone" for adults. The whole movie is basically Rollie Tyler using his skills and toys against his enemies. Bryan Brown ("Cocktail") is great as Rollie , the main hero .He's got a down to earth, normal guy attitude that makes us like him. There is also another Brian - Brian Dennehy ("Rambo : First blood ") as the smooth-talking detective, Leo McCarthy. He's a good supporting character , the only one that suspects what is going on.

The special effects are good. It's not strange , since this movie is a tribute to the movie wizards that help us make our dreams come true (at least on the screen). Action scenes are done well . The acting is good. There are nice twists and good ideas are along the way . There's a great song at the ending credits of the movie - Imagination " Just an illusion".

"F/X" inspired a television show of the same name starring Cameron Daddo and also a nice sequel. It's a good , fun movie. It shows that originality means much . I miss the 80's movies with their originality...

I give it 7/10.

"F/X" beats most Hollywood action films. It stands out with a slick basic idea developed to a proper script that offers twists and surprises all the way to the end, but luckily not as much as "Mission: Impossible" did.

Bryan Brown is just the right man for the part of Rollie. He and Brian Dennehy make a great pair, although they don't appear together until the end of the film.

Refreshingly original and highly recommendable.

F/X is a great movie because of the idea of a special effects artist trying to get himself out of a mess. It deals with F/X man Rollie Tyler (Bryan Brown) as expert craftsman . FBI agents (Cliff De Young, Mason Adams), ask Rollie to help him to make a setup for hide a mobster named DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) about to enter the Witness Program of Recolocation and Protection . As he accepts thirty thousand dollars by execution the phony work . And the operation was going well when Tyler allegedly kills the mobster . When the agency double cross him on the staging the fake assassination Rollie finds himself embroiled in a deadly cover-up and he uses his special effects to trap the corrupt agents . Obviously FBI is involved with gangster's death, but when the things get worse he calls on Andy (Martha Gehman). The whiz Rollie and Andy team up once more to use their special effects to find those responsible for the death of gangster . Rollie must use his movie magic and wits to discover the true guilty and survive . Meanwhile an obstinate detective named Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) and his helper (Joe Grifasi) are investigating the deeds. As far as the story goes , it involves a bigger scale of corruption in the law enforcement circle .

Entertaining but typical 1980's-type action thriller that has great potential as is fast-paced and well acted film . It has Inspector Dennehy and FX wizard Brown in fine form , and good secondaries Diane Venora, Joe Grifasi , Cliff De Young, Jery Orbach , some involved on corrupt business ; furthermore Angela Basset film debut . Some parts were predictable , but for the most part, it was nicely-paced with some good intrigue and mystery . There are some very exciting scenes as well as some ingenious special effects, including the initial setup that figures prominently in the argument. The cinematography and editing are functional . Action is pretty nicely done and fast moving with some engaging gimmickry . The motion picture is professionally directed by Robert Mandel (The substitute, School ties). Decent if somewhat belated followup to this 86 surprise hit was realized in 1991 titled ¨FX2¨ that does have suspense , however, the entire thing is nowhere near as engaging or thrilling , it was directed by Richard Franklin with similar players and followed by an amiable TV series .