Plot: (from imdb.com) Sidney Poitier returned to the
big screen in this action-thriller, after a decade-long absence. When a cunning
murderer vanishes into the rugged mountains of the Pacific Northwest, pursuing
FBI agent Warren Stantin (Poitier) must exchange familiar city streets for
unknown wilderness trails. Completely out of his element, Stantin is forced to
enlist the aid of expert tracker Jonathan Knox (PLATOON'S Tom Berenger). The
killer has infiltrated a guided hiking trip led by Knox's girlfriend Sarah
(Kirstie Alley, at the height of her Cheers fame). Viewers don't know which of
the hikers is the killer, and the tension lasts well into the movie.
Review: It’s pretty incredible to think that legendary
actor Sidney Poitier missed out almost the entirety of the 80s and this was the
movie to bring him back. It’s also surprising that it’s a thriller and not some
dramatic piece.
Back
to the movie, it starts off with a tense hostage situation and builds from
there. The beginning gets you into the story right away and captivates you. I
was pleasantly surprised. The mystery continues into when the killer joins a
hiking party with Poitier in pursuit. The discovery of the killer comes all of
a sudden at one point and it throws things off a little but not too much.
The
movie wears many genre hats and plays them all well. It’s a thriller at some
points, a wilderness survival tale at others and even buddy comedy sometimes.
And they all work, even the comedy! The team of Sidney Poitier and Tom Berenger
works extremely well. Kirstey Alley is ok but doesn’t do all that much. The
killer, who I won’t reveal here, is very effective in his role. You can most
likely call who it is but it’s not overly obvious.
On
the surface Shoot to Kill may appear to be a run of the mill action movie but
it’s a cut above that. While not spectacular, it does everything effectively and
keeps the viewer interested from beginning to end.
Score: 8/10
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