The Sweeper

Here we have a movie that carries on screen explosions to new lofty levels. Chase scenes with exploding propane tanks and gasoline trucks, create almost continuous mayhem. So what's not to like about "The Sweeper"? Quite a bit actually, starting with a most unlikable performance by C. Thomas Howell. Long boring diatribes about things as mundane as breakfast cereals permeate this disjointed, loosely connected mess of a film. In addition, continuity problems distract, such as where broad daylight suddenly turns into the blackest night. I say this, the stunts are definitely worth checking out, so simply fast forward between fire balls, and avoid the in between. - MERK

Why is it that a lot of low-budget, direct-to-video action movies are more fun that big-budget theatrical films? Take all the action in "The Rock," pump it with 2 trillion CCs of adrenaline, cast one of the boys from Spielberg's "E.T.," toss in a prologue with Jeff Fahey, and you've got "The Sweeper," a hard-charging crime drama with an action sequence occuring nearly every seven minutes. With everything from foot chases to violent shootouts, explosive car chases to a fight on a bi-plane, "The Sweeper" has got more action than most Hollywood films claiming to be action movies. Granted, it's not necessarily a well-written film (then again, there's hardly a film that is), but when it's got as much action and excitement as this film has, darn it - you just don't care. C. Thomas Howell is good, and you're bound to be fighting to catch your breath by the time the credits start rolling. Enjoy!

I'm not going to re-hash what others have said about the storyline in this movie, so, I'll comment on the other aspects. As a B-movie, the action scenes are rather well directed. They are easy to follow, with lots of bullets and explosions. The stunt work is very good, with lots of good surprises. The movie has 2 fairly good car chases, the first with the exploding gas cylinders, the last ending with a biplane. The acting in the movie is nothing to write home about, but really, this isn't the Royal Shakespeare Company, it's a manly action movie.

Bullets? Yup. Bad words? Yup. Bare breasts? Yup. Booms? Yup. What else could you ask for?

C. Thomas Howell stars as Mark Goddard, a cop who witnessed his father Dale (The always welcome Jeff Fahey) murdered by mobsters, however as the lone wolf survivor, it's a psychological problem that carries over into his police career, after killing his ninth suspect, Goddard is asked to join a vigilante squad that wipe out the scum of the earth, however when Goddard suspects the squad had a hand in his father's murder, it's one-man-army time with C. Thomas Howell! The Sweeper, believe it or not is far more well made than you would expect. You go in expecting an overall terrible movie but come out somewhat surprised with the overall over the top approach the director treats the material with. The Sweeper comes from the kitchen-sink mentality in the way its action sequences are conducted. In other words this is a throw-back to the 80's, where action punctuated everything. However what is most shocking is that The Sweeper actually stays consistently entertaining even in its character development sequences and C.Thomas Howell makes for a decent action hero, although his haircut is pretty bad. Overall movies like The Sweeper succeed in delivering what you mainly expect and although the movie has ludicrous moments, The Sweeper works as an adequate action vehicle for C. Thomas Howell. Also for the bargain bin, this far exceeds any expectations.

* *1/2 out of 4-(Pretty good)

Having a past that involves his whole family getting killed and his wife leaving him (granted MANY years apart),an undercover cop is recruited by a secretive vigilante organization, after he proves to be a loose cannon.These are the times that I'm glad to have premium cable channels, as this film has no right to be this good. C. Thomas Howell is NOT a movie actor I particularly like. The writers were responsible for such crap-fests as "Direct Hit", "T-Force", and the Anna Nichole Smith travesty "Skyscraper". The I wouldn't give any of the Director previous movies the time of day. Long story short if I passed it upon a video store self, I'd keep walking, but one restless night when there was nothing else on TV & so I watched it. Was really surprised to find a pretty damn good action movie. Even Mr. Howell is pretty good in it.

My Grade: B+

Where I saw it: Showtime too

Eye Candy: Kristen Dalton as Rachel shows breasts in a shower/sex combo scene