If Looks Could Kill (1991)

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

This 1991 action-comedy stars Richard Grieco, Linda Hunt, Gabrielle Anwar and Roger Rees. Grieco plays Michael Corben, an American teen who is a slacker. He goes on a class trip to France for extra credit and is mistaken for a spy with the same name as him who unfortunately gets killed. Michael is confused, but decides to play along and help save Europe from corrupt businessman, Augustus Steranko (Rees). Hunt (Kindergarten Cop) plays Steranko's lethal assistant, Ilsa, Anwar plays Mariska, a young girl who helps Michael and rock legend, Roger Daltrey makes a brief appearance as agent, Blade who is Mariska's father. I grew up watching this and always enjoyed it. It obviously pokes fun/pays homage to James Bond films with a decent cast and neat action scenes. I recommend this good action-comedy.

If you're looking for any sort of award winning cinematic experience with deeply textured meaning this flick is not for you. However if you just want to relax with something that demands almost no thought but will give you more fun than it should this will be perfect.A teen comedy mixed with spy spoof this was supposed to be the launch pad for current teen dream Richard Grieco. It didn't lead to a big career for him but he is appealing in the lead. His extremely over-waxed eyebrows aside he is attractive and humorous as a college student mistaken for a secret agent on a summer class field trip in Europe. The script is silly and the situations ludicrous but there are two things that make this worth catching, the gadgets and the cast. Once the plot kicks in Grieco's character is outfitted with the sort of weapons, cars, etc that wouldn't be out of place in a Bond picture all utilized in a fun way. The real strength of the film though is a cast that is far above what would be usual in this type of flick. Aside from Grieco's game performance there's Robin Bartlett's ever more flustered French Teacher who by the end is kicking butt and taking prisoners. Plus the totally unhinged evil duo of Roger Rees and Oscar winner Linda Hunt chewing the scenery and having a hell of a good time thereby providing the audience with one too. The rest of the cast also plays into the proper mood of lampooning the spy genre making this a breezy delight. With Quebec standing in for Europe there are some beautiful locations and for any car lover some very cool vehicles. The definition of escapist fare.

Well, I've had the opportunity of watching this movie a long time ago and had quite a few good memories of it. Yesterday I decided to rent this movie for the old times. Man, it was so good.The main plot of the movie is kind of strange and dated for our time but it is very funny. This movie has a strange power to really amuses you.The acting its not so bad, its good to tell you the truth. Specially Gabrielle Anwar that kicks some major ass. There is a scene, the first one that she appears, in a car that man...its unbelievable. If you have the chance, rent it. I assure you some good hours of fun.

I think this film is a mix of Gotcha, but sadly no Linda Fiorentino, James Bond, Q would have been proud of all this gadgets, and some pieces of other comedies like Airplane. It's funny and best for saturday afternoon with some kids.