Runtime: 103 minutes
Directed by: Rod Daniel
Starring: James Belushi, Mel Harris, Kevin Tighe, James Handy, Ed O'Neill
From: Universal
Hi, I'm Blair Russell, & me and my younger sisters saw this theatrically in 1989 when I was only 8. This admission may seem odd to some given that this is an action-comedy which at times flirts w/ an R-rating, tried to be serious more often than not and has some adult gags. Yet, I remember everyone being fine with the content and it's something we remember fondly. It was seen after the fact but the last viewing was probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 years ago, so it was time.
It is an admittedly silly film where you probably don't want to scrutinize the plot too closely. Jim Belushi is a loose cannon cop who is more focused on work than his g/f Mel Harris, doesn't want a partner, etc. Even then that had to be a stereotype. Via circumstances, he “borrows” the “most eccentric” of the K-9 police dogs in training, named Jerry Lee. You see, Jerry Lee Lewis had the nickname of “The Killer”... what happens next is exactly what you'd expect as they try to bust evil businessman Kevin Tighe.
It doesn't have the best action when compared to similar genre examples of the kind and it isn't as funny either. Perhaps it's the nostalgia talking but there were enough laughs, chuckles, & snickers and I always enjoyed watching the entertaining German Shepherd. I did not remember how LOUD this movie was w/ all the yelling and barking; then again, there was no memory of Pruitt Taylor Vince or William Sadler having one scene cameos. There are buddy cop action-comedies from the era that definitely are better; at the same time, if you saw this as a kid like me, hopefully you'll enjoy a revisit one day.
As many have addressed this in their reviews, the similar Turner & Hooch came out just three months later. Mom took us to that film too--for many, an explanation is not needed, re. why children would have a problem with Turner & Hooch, me & my sisters included...
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