A Better Way to Die (2001)
Boomer is a rookie cop based in the urban hellhole that is downtown Chicago. After his involvement in a drug bust operation which results in the death of Carlos, his mentor and father figure, Boomer becomes disillusioned with the brutal and inhumane nature of his job. Consequently, he decides to hand in his resignation to the Chicago Police Department and return to his home town of Joliet, where his fiancé, Kelly, awaits. While en route back to Joliet, however, Boomer makes a grievous error in judgment when he stops for, and assists, an unfortunate motorist whose vehicle appears to have broken down; the naive ex-cop is swiftly attacked and rendered unconscious. Boomer awakes to find that his car and wallet have been stolen, and that he has become involved in a dangerous game of mistaken identity.
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This has been my favourite film for a while now and I make sure all my friends watch it at some point. It is simple and brutal, yet also more involved and clever every time you watch it. Despite knowing the film quote-by-quote I still have to watch it at least once a month or so; I really suggest you at least give it a try. The characters fill a colourful spectrum and all have a very real quality to them, with their own quirks and sayings. I have heard people try to pick out little flaws, but I say you can't be nit-picky with action films, and if you want to you can counter any argument with a bit of reason. That isn't the point, the point is like any film; to just enjoy it. If you are looking for everything and every emotion then look no further. I'm going to go and watch it now. I hope that you enjoy!
Scott Wiper. Scott Wiper... The name doesn't ring a bell does it? Neither did it to me. I was browsing my friends DVD collection and came across this little gem. On asking him what was it like he said just watch it and see. So I did and found it highly enjoyable.Scott Wiper is a young actor, writer, producer, director and has gathered himself a cast that would be at the top of any hollywood directors wish list. Joe Pantaliano, Lou Diamond Phillips, Natasha Henstridge and Andre Braugher. All involved in this movie are showing the acting talents that they are capable and are clearly having fun and this fun exerts itself over the viewer.Scott Wiper is Boomer, a chicago cop, who becomes disenchanted with the big city life after a bust. He embarks on a road trip to get to former girlfriend, who still loves him, in the picturesque village of Cedar Falls. Then all hell breaks loss...This film is notable for a few things. Wiper as lead actor, writer, and director, Joe Pantaliano in a typically strong performance as a bizarre one-armed detective named Flash, and how wiper has managed to create a movie that looks big budget on an obviously low budget. The fantastic locals and the brilliant action scenes hint at a director who could accomplish big things given the time and the money.At times i was thinking that Boomer's day couldn't get any worse but this helps us in feeling more sympathetic towards him in his quest to get home.Finally i highly enjoyed this movie and would recommend it to any self respecting fan of the action genre. A definate winner 8.5!
What a violent movie this is! I think that 70% of the movie consists of shooting and the guys don't just don't drop dead. But is it a good movie? Erm yes and no, this is such a typical movie that is mostly awarded with one star but this is just better than the rest. Not because of the scenario as that is as stupid as it can get. An ex-cop Boomer who saw his copmate being killed (already from the first minute they're shooting) decided that he gives it a farewell and wants to be a familyman. On his way to his wife who lives in another town he got carjacked and is being picked up by a lunatic called Flash, a cripple detective. It soons turns out he is saved by the wrong person as he is looking for a guy called Harry, a man who is both chased by the CIA (by Lou Diamond Phillips that is) and the mob simply as he is in the possession of a chip that contains internal secret information that seems to have the worth to kill 200 (or is it 400?) people for. Guess who's winning.... But what looks like an ordinary actionmovie got uplifted by the good performances from almost all actors and the violence à la Tarantino (superb scene is the one in a warehouse in where machineguys are destroying bottles of pizzasauce!). Mediocre film sure, but still nice enough to give it an average 5. If you like extremely violent stuff you'll say it's a highlight.
I suppose if you enjoy nonstop death, guns and mayhem this film might be for you. But I felt that it was sorely lacking in many things, most in the areas of believability and plot line. Much of the dialogue was trite and insipid. The plot was quite disjointed and nonsensical in places linked together by spates of killing. I was embarrassed for such talents as Andre Braugher for having to appear in such a film but I suppose actors have bills to pay like the rest of us.