Cadence (1991)

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Boring

It's funny watching the elements come together in this complicated scam. On one hand, the set-up isn't quite as complex as it seems, but there's an easy sense of fun in every exchange.

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

This was an interesting movie, if nothing else. It isn't quite as powerful as it wants you to believe it is, but it definitely has some powerful moments. It lacks the kind of tension a film of this magnitude needs. The setup was perfect for this to be something memorable. Charlie Sheen's Anti-Authority character set up all kinds of possibilities, but unfortunately, it succumbs to inconsistencies. I dug Bean becoming close with the black convicts. It was very enjoyable to watch, as was watching them bond. It also succumbs to clichés I can't stand, such as racism and stereotyping. Also, is it just me? Or was this somewhat rushed. This movie could have gone a good 10 to 15 minutes longer. The characters were the biggest problem for me. I did dig Bean's attitude, but it was hard to care about anybody in this movie. A lot of the characters are underdeveloped. McKinney's was the biggest issue for me because we don't know why he is such a bully, other than a brief scene where he argues about his son. The acting is solid though. Charlie Sheen is great as the rebel. Everyone can empathize with a guy that wants to stand up to a bully. Charlie didn't overdo it during key emotional moments. Martin Sheen is intense as per usual as McKinney, but his character is underdeveloped. It's kind of ironic that Sheen buts heads with Martin in this film throughout, yet they are father and son in real life. You can blame that on Gary Busey's compulsive behavior on set. Busey was McKinney before his weird behavior got him fired. Laurence Fishburne does good in his role. Overall, I didn't mind it at all. It's a shame it has a lot of missed potential, but what can you do? Give it a look on a rainy night6.2/10

I seldom comment on a movie, but I so strongly disagreed with a prior comment on this movie, I felt I had to add two cents. I found this entrant far from boring. I have watched it four or five times, each time finding a new focus. The movie's idea is interesting, the conflict between the Sheens believable and well played, and the supporting cast excellent. Laurence Fishburne and James Marshall in particular are pleasures to watch. As the second of Sheen's two stints as a director I was impressed. Even the basic set works for me. And the music is so good that I continue to look from time to time to see if an actual CD is available. I believe that if you get your hands on this movie you won't be disappointed.

Caveat: I saw this movie at least ten years ago.Most folks are right about this film. Tired plot and strained character development despite some very good performances. So why am I writing my comments here? Because what sticks in the brain with this movie is not the plot, but the camaraderie. Not the standard prison barracks/exercise yard type, but a rather unique form that takes shape when the men march to an extremely soulful version of "Chain Gang."But it has more than soul. It has "Cadence." Weirdly, the men keeping lock step with this is oddly counter-soul. Their march is a metaphor for some parts of the film, but a sure thing was missed by not exploiting this aspect further. What emerged as the main plot in this film would have made a fine subplot, but it wasn't enough to carry it into being very, very good.No, the brilliance here is in the memorable (and haunting) marching footage, with the soloist tenor lending tenderness to the sing-song soldier cadence and the clomp-clomp-clomp of marching boots, and the stagger-step "fill" where each soldier, as one, does a double step and strikes his breastbone. It's like some uber-military statement and yet it is actually done in defiance.Enough to carry a film? Not at all. Worth seeing, though? Absolutely, if you like strong film elements that stay with you for a long, long time.-- TGR

"Cadence" is not a memorable film about soldiers in Vietnam. It goes through the familiar routines. But the performances by father and son, Martin and Charlie Sheen, help anchor this moderately forgettable story. The two actors are good and on-target, but I found it very ironic that the two of them played enemies(Charlie plays a soldier and Martin a sadistic sargeant). If you're going to cast your son in the movie--unless he doesn't have a big role--you may as well cast him as your son. Though their performances are convincing, I couldn't help but find it somewhat humorous when Charlie Sheen's real-life Dad was going psycho on him. It's also worth checking out an early performance by Laurence Fishburne. Some of the fish-out-of-water situations between Sheen and his new-found African-American buddies are cliched and/or predictable, and lack spark. Some of the situations are worthy of a few cheap laughs, though. The film is basically a combination of familiar farce and melodrama, but it's entertaining and sometimes moving. The ending is very depressing, and almost made me cry. I thought the rendition of "Workin' on the Chain Gang" was real nifty, too. This is not one I'd put on the "must-see" list, but it's worth seeing. My score: 7 (out of 10)