Avenging Angelo (2002)

Simply A Masterpiece

Save your money for something good and enjoyable

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

When reviewing "Avenging Angelo", there really are only about two avenues down which a reviewer can proceed. The first choice is to say that it is a terrible film, devoid of any semblance of plot or point, and filled with stupid little puns and jokes that really aren't all that funny. If you would take this approach, you would probably be backed by most of the American population, as this film never actually made it to cinemas and ended up a "straight-to-DVD" production.Yet, for viewers of "Angelo" familiar with Sylvester Stallone's "unique" brand of humor, this will be one of the most entertaining (if not all that important) films you ever watch. As a fan of Stallone, I have sat viewed the good (Rocky, Rambo), the bad (Demolition Man, The Specialist), and the ugly (Stop or My Mom Will Shoot!, Shade), and this film fits none of those categories as it is so unique.The basic plot centers on Stallone's character, Frankie, trying to avenge the death of his "beloved mob boss" Angelo (played by Anthony Quinn in his final role ever before his death). To do so, Frankie vows to protect Angelo's daughter Jennifer (Madeleine Stowe) from the mob scene, but (in predictable fashion) begins to fall in love with her, and (slowly) she with him.Unfortunately, besides some decent chemistry between Stallone and Stowe, the plot completely fails on pretty much all accounts (it isn't compelling, it doesn't lead anywhere, etc.), thus the likely reason it never went to theaters. In fact, the crucial opening scenes between Frankie and Angelo need subtitles in order to understand, as Quinn's voice is so raspy. Basically, the plot is a complete and utter failure.Why the four-star rating then? If you have ever seen Sly Stallone on TV appearances (Letterman, Leno, etc.), you know that his "brand" of humor is far different than most actors. Sly will tell a stupid joke ("pooping machine with hooves") or make a ridiculous statement ("snip ropes"), get absolutely no response, yet continue on as if he were Robin Williams or Jim Carrey, providing the REAL humor of the situation. That EXACT same type of humor is played up to its fullest in this movie, and is a complete hoot! Whether it be stuffing a burglar into a wheelbarrow, "farting squirrels" in the walls, or Sly telling Jennifer's boyfriend to "reconsider" before fighting him, you (if a fan of Stallone) will be one the floor laughing.So if you have 90 minutes to spare, are a fan of Sylvester Stallone, and would like to lighten your mood a bit, this film will be perfect for you. There's no plot to worry about, no high-action to dazzle you, just a good old fashion "bad" movie that is hilarious for that exact reason.

I always thought that this film never got a cinematic release because of Stallone's string of flops, back then. I was wrong!!!'Avening Angelo' is a classic example of decent actors wasted over shallow writing and awful direction. The screen-play (if there was one) is just awful and the director Martyn Burke has no idea where to go with it.The actors, both Sly and Madeleine, ooze charm and look fresh but the thin script really leaves them with no room for performance at all.Sly at times seems too conscious of the camera and doesn't feel comfortable between his toupees and comical gestures. However, he does prove that, yes, he can speak fluently if provided the opportunity:)Another thing I would like to say is that for someone like Sly who has quite a bit of experience of writing screen-plays, he really should have known better than to pick this one.Not worth your time....you're better off leaving this one alone.My rating....3 out of 10!

Madeleine Stowe has just discovered she's Anthony Quinn's daughter. Quinn is a mafioso kingpin who gave his daughter up to another family to raise. Seems he was worried that rival families might look to get to him through her. But he and his devoted bodyguard Sylvester Stallone have served as an unseen presence in her life, influencing events with a hidden hand.Now Quinn is dead, Stallone brings her the news and this woman who's a cross between Julia Roberts and Diane Keaton wants a little payback.Believe it or not, it's a comedy and sadly is the last film that Anthony Quinn made. Probably was lucky he died before Avenging Angelo hit the big screen. Quinn should have gone out on something like Mobsters or A Walk in the Clouds. For a man who's career spanned eight decades he deserved a better epitaph.Sly Stallone too. Sly can be a very funny guy in films like Oscar and Tango and Cash, but the jokes in Avenging Angelo just seem to fall like a dropped curve ball.For Stallone fans and Quinn completists only.

I bought this movie for two reasons, first, I wanted to get something my wife and I could watch together and Wal-Mart was selling it for $5.50, and secondly, it was filmed partly in the city where I work, and I saw Stallone standing between two sound trucks, looking just like Sylvester Stallone as I was leaving my office one night. I had always thought I should have a look at the movie.I expected a grim-mouthed actioner, but having seen some of Stallone's other work I should have known better. The movie is played with a lot of good humour, and fine interplay between Stallone and Stowe. There were a couple of places where I actually laughed out loud, and it's hard to make me laugh.If you want a movie you can watch on a quiet night with your teen-aged kids and your wife, this'll do fine.