The Hard Way (1991)

Best movie of this year hands down!

Absolutely Fantastic

It was OK. I don't see why everyone loves it so much. It wasn't very smart or deep or well-directed.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

(Originally reviewed:07/03/2017) John Badham's The Hard Way would be tagged as formulaic at first glance but what the film really was, was a film that had formula but introduced a breath of fresh air, a cop picture where Woods has to look after movie star 'Nick Lang' (Michael J. Fox) during his research of the real life portrayal of a cop, but instead of play it basic, he takes him on his own personal vendetta, one that requires the stopping of a killer who continuously murders people and considers Woods's character a role model. Maybe you've seen it before in a different context but never this way and be aware this picture was released in 1991, so I'm quite sure this was something different at the time and I doubt anyone could challenge Woods's performance, as he was the most badass, out of his mind with a vengeance cop since Lethal Weapon's Martin Riggs played by Gibson and I of course mean in reference to the first two films which I consider some of the best examples in the genre.The film is mostly entertaining from start to finish, with the exception of a joke where the villain 'The Party Crasher played fairly well by Stephen Lang play's back a short television interview where Woods's character raving about how he's nothing and so forth and knowing he'll be watching, but within this sequence the quote "from me to you" is played back a dozen time's and it gets tiresome, once would have been sufficient; one other thing I didn't care for was a poorly staged action sequence in a cinema that was messy and all over the place with no real style or choreography; but other than that the picture is very enjoyable with crisp one liner's, some cool chases and action scenes and an adequate screenplay from Lem Dobbs and Michael Kozoll. I wanted a highly entertaining picture with some lively performances and strong comedic chemistry between Woods and Michael J. Fox, and that's exactly what I got, and the last sequence is extremely satisfying. The Hard Way is a competently made, entertaining as hell action picture.

At my house, our summers have of late tended to turn into extended Michael J Fox marathons; last summer it was Family Ties on Netflix, and this summer is shaping up to be the summer of his obscure comedies. My mom knows we love MJF, so while grocery shopping, she picked up a four-movie DVD she found on a clearance rack, and one of the movies happened to be The Hard Way. I only watched it because my little sister asked me to, and I even brought my phone in the room in case I got bored (because that's what happened when she made me watch Midnight Madness, another little-known Fox film, his first role, actually). However, I never picked up my phone once! The film started out strong, with our first glimpse at the "party crasher," played with manic and slightly terrifying believability by Stephen Lang, and a joke involving Shakespeare plays that immediately got me hooked. Stephen Lang wasn't the only good actor in this movie; surprisingly, the whole thing was earnestly acted and nobody really bordered on cheesy, like they do in most bad comedies from that era. Michael J Fox was endearing- as usual- as the naive movie star shadowing a cop for a role, and even when he had emotionally difficult scenes, he never came off as cheesy (like he occasionally did in Family Ties). And James Woods was especially great as the love-stricken, NYPD cop. I'm usually very picky when it comes to movies- especially comedies- but I enjoyed this. If you're a Fox fan, definitely don't miss it!

"The Hard Way"I watched this movie when I was a child and haven't stopped loving it from the second i saw it. Not only Michael J. Fox being my favorite actor, but also the humor both Fox & James Woods bring to this movie. Apart from "Back to the Future" I think this is Michael J. Fox best movie out there.It's a story about an actor who wants to play a cop. In order for him to act as one he must work with one. So he decides to be the partner of a New York Cop (James Woods). All of this while a series killer, the "Party Crasher", is on the loose...If you wanna see a funny action movie go watch this. And don't expect an Oscar-winning performance. Just watch and enjoy

Very entertaining movie, M.J. Fox is great, very good actor, he makes the movie very funny and sympathetic. Also a good scenario for a comedy movie but there are also lots of action scenes and some good quotes that makes you laugh. There is only one scene that annoying is the one M.J. Fox act as Wood's girlfriend and wants from him to say something. Wood's acting was terrible in here and time passed very slow for me but in the other parts of the movie he was good enough. Final of the movie was also very good and thrilling. I gave seven out of ten.