Shakedown is a flawed but still entertaining 1988 action-thriller that excels more on the ridiculousness of some of the action, particularly the finale, and its stars Peter Weller and Sam Elliott.
Shakedown
(1988)
Genre(s): Suspense/Thriller, Crime, Action
Shout Factory | R – 96 min. – $27.99 | January 23, 2018
Date Published: 01/16/2018 | Author: The Movieman
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THE MOVIE — 3.25/5 |
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Plot Synopsis: Legal-aid lawyer Roland Dalton (PETER WELLER) takes on one last case before moving to the financial sector, defending a drug dealer (RICHARD BROOKS) who shot an undercover cop but claimed it was self-defense. Dalton soon discovers something nefarious going on within the NYPD and teams up with renegade police Detective Richie Marks (SAM ELLIOTT) to uncover the truth taking on both dirty cops and a dangerous syndicate. Quick Hit Review: Shakedown is hardly some 1988 crime-drama classic and is instead a tale of two movies: one is a social legal drama starring Peter Weller, the other a B/C schlocky action-crime-drama headed by Sam Elliott. Both work nicely enough but don’t quite mesh together either. However, in spite of a clunky plot, lame romantic side-story between Weller’s Dalton, Dalton’s girlfriend (BLANCHE BAKER) and the A.D.A. (PATRICIA CHARBONNEAU); all of that could’ve been cut and not have been missed. And then there’s a laughably fun finale with some truly awful special effects, but typical for that era (think Superman IV). For all of its faults, writer/director James Glickenhaus’s Shakedown is still a wonderfully fun late 1980s action/thriller that is well worth watching if only for its two leads, Peter Weller and Sam Elliott. |
SPECIAL FEATURES – 3.0/5 |
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Audio Commentary – Writer/Director James Glickenhaus chats it up recounting his work on the film from the cast to shooting locations and just where the story came from. Luckily, there is a moderator to move the track along asking a variety of questions. Introduction by Writer/Director James Glickenhaus (0:16; HD) plays either through the features section or when the you watch the movie. Shakedown Breakdown: An Interview with James Glickenhaus (16:16; HD) finds the writer/director discussing the origins of the movie and how it has held up. Miles Over the Limit: James Glickenhaus Discusses Miles Davis (5:12; HD) – Glickenhaus tells a story about Miles Davis and a car wreck and helping get rid of drugs found in the vehicle. Also included is a Still Gallery (4:47; HD) with behind-the-scenes pictures and advertisement artwork and the Theatrical Trailer (1:55; HD). |
VIDEO – 3.5/5 |
| Shout Factory releases Shakedown as part of their “Shout Select” line (#40), shown in the film’s original 1.85 widescreen aspect ratio and a 1080p high-definition transfer and although it’s doubtful any major restoration work was done, likely Shout just got it from Universal, it’s not all bad though detail isn’t the best and does have some heavy amounts of grain. That said, colors are pretty good and it’s still a pleasant enough picture. |
AUDIO – 3.0/5 |
| The included DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 track is functional but nothing all that explosive. Dialogue did sound decent enough but the two major action scenes did lack a certain punch, though there was one scene with gunfire did have slight impact. |
OVERALL – 3.0/5 |
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Overall, Shakedown is a flawed but still entertaining 1988 action-thriller that excels more on the ridiculousness of some of the action, particularly the finale, and its stars Peter Weller and Sam Elliott. The Blu-ray offers up so-so video and audio transfers and some okay features, though all involving writer/director Glickenhaus so nothing from Weller, Elliott or any members of the crew. |
Check out some more 1080p screen caps by going to page 2. Please note, these do contain spoilers.