A Stallone Film that is very of its time for several reasons.
The Specialist is *sort of* based on a Series of Books about The Specialist.
Is it based on one of the Books? Nope.
It is just based on the idea of the Character from some Books- close enough!
The Plot involves Stallone as a Murder for Hire guy who works for Sharon Stone to get her some revenge. She runs into trouble when she has to get close to her target to take him out.
There's a hint of the whole Erotic Thrillers (Basic Instinct, Sliver) that Stone got typecast in for a while. Regardless of why, I'm glad she got out of them...in 2008.
This came at the point where Stallone was trying to get out of always playing a version of Rocky (last done in 1990) or Rambo (last done in 1988). He sure did that until 2006 and 2008 respectively.
Is this Film as bad as people say?
Let's blow up a door and find out...
In 1984, Stallone and James Woods are doing a Commando mission to take out a bad guy.
The plan- blow up a bridge.
Things go wrong when he's driving with his family. Stallone can't save them in time, but does beat up James Woods and quits the force.
In the Present (of 30 years ago), he's down in Miami. He was hired by a woman- Stone- to kill the people that killed her family.
This would be a way different Movie if she was Bruce Wayne doing this, no?
She comes up with a foolproof plan- seduce the guy who killed her Parents to get him alone and take him out.
Again- did Bruce Wayne consider this plan over becoming Batman?
Throughout the First Act, the pair converse through taped conversations. This is not super awkward at all.
The Plot also hinges upon Stallone being unrecognizable and blending in to his surroundings as he takes out the lower tier bad guys.
No, really.
He blows up a few with some well-placed bombs that only take out one guy...somehow.
He's a Specialist!
The 'Erotic Thriller' stuff is sprinkled in as one Scene features the pair talking to each other via tape as they work out.
They fall in love off-camera/out of eye sight, so naturally, they have sex in the shower when they first actually meet in person (after he thinks she was dead, to be fair).
I also haven't talked about the odd Casting here. Rod Steiger and Eric Roberts both play Hispanic.
The Plot dumps a ton of twists- like Stone was actually working under duress for Woods- in the later Acts, plus we finally get some action.
It all ends with some big explosions and Steiger's death as our Heroes drive out of town listening to Gloria Estefan (because Miami). The End.
There's an idea for a good Movie here, somewhere- honest!
I have not read the Books that 'inspired' this Film. I have way too many right now to take on ANOTHER Book- thanks. That said, the idea certainly has promise and I could see it working.
This Film suffers from people trying to play Characters they can't- Stallone-, have done too many times- Stone- or just shouldn't have- Steiger.
Honestly, as much as I dislike James Woods in real life, he's the best thing here. The rumor is that Stallone got some of his Scenes cut. Maybe- who knows?
If so, I can see why.
The Plot tries to be simmering with Stallone and Stone. It is kind of boring. They have no chemistry.
The Specialist is a Film that could absolutely work...with different people and done better. Maybe stick to the Books.
 |
| He wrote these Books that 'inspired' the Film and also, no joke... |
****
 |
| He's the Co-Writer here. |
Next up, a Stallone Film that's...good? Oh right, this is Richard Donner, so yea! Stay tuned...
No comments:
Post a Comment