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The Hard Way (1991)
Released By: MCA Universal Home Video   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: MCA Universal Home Video
Genre: Comedy
MPAA Rating: R
Director: John Badham
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Annabella Sciorra, James Woods, Michael J. Fox, Penny Marshall, Stephen Lang, L.L. Cool J.
Published ID: 1230
UPC: 025192043420,
Plot: Action film director John Badham bites the hand that feeds him in this action movie spoof that features ribbing of pretty-boy Hollywood action stars by Michael J. Fox and a parody of colorful, hair-trigger James Woods types by the man himself. Woods plays New York homicide detective John Moss, who is within an inch of closing in on a serial killer who calls himself The Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because his specialty is shooting his victims in the middle of discos. Chasing The Party Crasher after his latest victim has been dispatched, Moss finds himself hanging onto the door of a speeding truck with The Party Crasher at the wheel. When Moss is thrown off the truck and nearly killed, The Party Crasher escapes, and Moss is taken off the case. Moss is given a new assignment --to tag around with Hollywood action film star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox), the popular hero of the Smoking Gun movies. Lang spotted Moss on a television news show and thinks he would be the ideal cop to study for adding authenticity to an up-coming police action picture. Posing as Moss's rookie partner, Lang follows Moss everywhere, proceeding to spoil his pursuit of The Party Crasher and interfering with Moss's burgeoning affair with his girlfriend Susan (Anabella Sciorra). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
This movie has everything!
Added 9/5/2009

From the Party Crasher to James Woods' tough guy cop to Michael J. Fox as the funniest, most believable superstar who leaves his ego at the door (mostly and that is very entertaining) to step into cop shoes to research a movie part, this movie has everything you could ask for. And so many of the actors are faces you know, who play characters you are completely immersed in. This is one great movie, and I am reordering for the 5th time, and I refuse to lend it out anymore! This has to be my favorite of all times.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
"bang bang Nick Lang"
Added 7/6/2009

The Hard Way and Last Action Hero are somewhat similar in one aspect: they both show the viewer to differentiate between the movies and real life. I saw this movie 1995 and I loved it. I bought the DVD years later and I still love it. The Hard Way is not only an action comedy but its also a clever one.

The story: a pampered and naive movie star Nick Lang(Michael J. Fox) wants to nail a movie part as a serious cop so he gets assigned to become partners with a hard-nosed, no-nonsense cop called John Moss(James Woods). Moss is amped on catching a murderer named "Party Crasher"(Stephen Lang) and is in no mood to look after a gullible movie star.

Looking back at this movie I never realized how much of a character Michael J. Fox was. This guy had personality out the wazoo and you're guaranteed to laugh at his hijinks in this movie. James Woods is always perfect in those tough guy roles and he nails this one as Detective John Moss. His character reminds me of Jack Cates of 48 Hrs. Stephen Lang is good as the nutty villain "Party Crasher". He comes across as a total schizo but is smarter than he seems.

The humor in this movie is funny whether its Nick's naivete' or Nick showing John to tell Maria(Annabella Sciorra)how he feels about her or John's growing weary of Nick's behavior. This movie is great mix of comedy and action and is one of the most underrated and overlooked buddy comedy of all time.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I REALLY laughed
Added 4/12/2009

I loved this! As others have said much funnier than i expected although i did not expect much
It was easily the best thing I have seen MJF do and James Woods worked well with him
Watch it and weep!

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
"If you want something done right, call an actor!"--MJF, as Nick Lang
Added 4/4/2008

The Hard Way scores as a hyper-deranged double satire, taking on spoiled-rotten Hollywood and the macho lunacy of buddy-cops flicks. There's a ton of smart dialogue amid the cusswords, NY is shot briliantly through a grimy lens (and LA through a glittering lens), a bar scene between Fox and Woods deconstructs a century of gender roles in the movies, and even the car chases/crashes are parodies.

Even though the salty language kept MJF's kiddie audience away, it's one of his few genuinely funky roles, Woods is at his apoplectic finest and the smaller roles are cast right on the money(Delroy Lindo, Annabella Sciorra, Christina Ricci...). For maximum effect, see in tandem with Eddie Murphy/Robert DeNiro's Showtime.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
The Hard Way
Added 3/26/2008

Nick Lang is a very popular actor starring in big blockbuster films, but he is not happy with his success, there is a role he covets, and is willing to do whatever it takes to get it. After seeing Lt. John Moss in an interview, Nick is convinced that if he spent time with him the role would be his. Using his considerable tinsletown clout, he arranges to be his temporary partner. Moss is angry about his new "assignment" taking him away from his big case of the Party Crasher. This guy has attached himself to Moss by calling him before he commits his next crime. Moss is determined to ditch Nick Lang, so he can concentrate on what is really important.

As these two men spend time together, the inadvertently learn life lessons from each other that help them in ways they couldn't imagine. I really liked this movie! I have always been a huge James Woods fan, and Michael J Fox was surprisingly good.

18 out of 19 people found this helpful.
This movie has everything!
Added 9/5/2009

From the Party Crasher to James Woods' tough guy cop to Michael J. Fox as the funniest, most believable superstar who leaves his ego at the door (mostly and that is very entertaining) to step into cop shoes to research a movie part, this movie has everything you could ask for. And so many of the actors are faces you know, who play characters you are completely immersed in. This is one great movie, and I am reordering for the 5th time, and I refuse to lend it out anymore! This has to be my favorite of all times.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
"bang bang Nick Lang"
Added 7/6/2009

The Hard Way and Last Action Hero are somewhat similar in one aspect: they both show the viewer to differentiate between the movies and real life. I saw this movie 1995 and I loved it. I bought the DVD years later and I still love it. The Hard Way is not only an action comedy but its also a clever one.

The story: a pampered and naive movie star Nick Lang(Michael J. Fox) wants to nail a movie part as a serious cop so he gets assigned to become partners with a hard-nosed, no-nonsense cop called John Moss(James Woods). Moss is amped on catching a murderer named "Party Crasher"(Stephen Lang) and is in no mood to look after a gullible movie star.

Looking back at this movie I never realized how much of a character Michael J. Fox was. This guy had personality out the wazoo and you're guaranteed to laugh at his hijinks in this movie. James Woods is always perfect in those tough guy roles and he nails this one as Detective John Moss. His character reminds me of Jack Cates of 48 Hrs. Stephen Lang is good as the nutty villain "Party Crasher". He comes across as a total schizo but is smarter than he seems.

The humor in this movie is funny whether its Nick's naivete' or Nick showing John to tell Maria(Annabella Sciorra)how he feels about her or John's growing weary of Nick's behavior. This movie is great mix of comedy and action and is one of the most underrated and overlooked buddy comedy of all time.

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
I REALLY laughed
Added 4/12/2009

I loved this! As others have said much funnier than i expected although i did not expect much
It was easily the best thing I have seen MJF do and James Woods worked well with him
Watch it and weep!

1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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