The Last of the Finest

This is a radical change from the movies of today that MUST have an X rated scene, lots of noise, lots of face to face rhetoric that means nothing, and who could miss the windshield that doesn't leak with 6 bullet holes.

I had viewed it many years ago, but just last week found a VHS, which really shows the changes in the movie industry. For one thing, there was no shot thru the heart and lives scenes. True, some risky theatrics with dangerous people, but not like a Harrison Ford/James Bond film bordering on Science Fiction.

They selected a group of actors for everyday-like people of lean means, who are proud to be honest.

The plot is totally believable in today's major crime activities. And it has a believable ending.

I saw this on TV and was disappointed in how small a role Bill Paxton had in it. He was the main reason I was interested in seeing it. The movie is not that bad, but it wasn't anything I hadn't seen before, either. If you're interested in cop dramas, this one is average.

Outstanding acting from Brian Dennehy, Joe Pantoliano, Jeff Fahey, and Bill Paxton vaults this vigilante cop film into way above average territory. While character development is good for the good guys, it is rather skimpy when it comes to the villains. This does not detract enough to spoil the fun however. There is nice chemistry between the rogue cops, and the script though derivative is totally acceptable. It's rare to get the kind of likable performances delivered in "The Last of the Finest" from all four leads. Special mention must be made of the stunt work, because it's good, and the movie has some very unusual and exciting parts. This is a real surprise, and fans of the actors will not be disappointed. - MERK

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.

"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.