Rating: 
Summary: Pulse-Raising Action Throughout!
Review: For anyone who has not already seen this absolutely terrific action film, it is one of the best depictions of the street struggles of the Secret Service against counterfeiters yet filmed. The movie was also a brand new showcase for the emerging abilities of a very young William Petersen, now better known as the star of the hit TV show, CSI. Here he plays an agent obsessed with catching a particularly clever and ruthless counterfeiter, played by another emerging screen presence, Willem Dafoe. The counterfeiter has brutally murdered Petersen's partner, and once the agent catches the trail, a deadly cat and mouse chase ensues. All of this is done against the backdrop of Los Angeles, where the counterfeiter is living the life of a wanna-be struggling artist who finances his high life style with bogus bills. Petersen catches the trail and enlists the help of his young new partner in pursuing Dafoe, and amidst the car chases, carnage, and pulse-raising suspense of various encounters, moves in for the final encounter. This is a gritty and realistic look at the ways in which both sides of the law bend circumstances to their advantage, and the action unfolds in a kind of no-man's land where law and civil order are mere trivialities neither side bothers much with, except as it furthers their personal, private agenda. One of the most memorable sequences involves a breath-taking car chase through LA at rush hour, and is the first of many chases against traffic ever filmed. At the time, it was heady stuff indeed. The movie is ably directed by William Friedkin, and also features a splendid supporting cast, including John Pankow, John Turturro, Dean Stockwell, Robert Downey, and Debra Feur. The cinematography is superb, and the action sequences quite stunning and very believable. The DVD has a number of interesting features, and the new DVD markedly improves the print quality from the original VHS version, which suffered from a bad production effort. This is great entertainment, and is sure to keep your interest as it speeds to its awesome conclusion. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: CULT MOVIES 25
Review: 25. TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA (action, 1985) Federal agent Richard Chance (William L. Peterson) is on the trail of criminal Rick Masters (Willem DaFoe) His mission to catch him becomes personal when Masters kills his partner. Chance gets help from his junkie girlfriend Bionca. He learns of Master's attempts to sell counterfeit money. His break comes when his new partner gets Master's corrupt lawyer to set up a meeting, with them posing as buyers. Masters wants an up-front payment to prove they're legit. In order to get the large sum; Bionca leads him to a suspected jewel smuggler. Chance steals the jewels but the smuggler is killed. Chance's partner is shocked to learn he was an undercover agent. He thinks of backing out. But Chance asks for his help when Masters sets up the counterfeit buy. Critique: Director William Friedkin mixes aspects of his Oscar-winning The French Connection with a touch of 80s art-deco flash. Bringing a new depth into the 'cops and robbers' movie myth. The grimness and realism that was shown in his earlier films proved to be popular at the time. But coming into the 80s the formula was becoming a staple. In this film he concentrates more on the fine line between cops and robbers. Proving that they're not that different and thus could have interchangeable roles. Plus, the added violence, sex (of the kinky-punk type), and the art house feel was brought in. Also watch out for the highly praised chase scene with a car going against the traffic on a freeway.
Rating: 
Summary: A sleek film built for speed
Review: To Live and Die in LA is one of the finest crime dramas of all time, right up there with Michael Mann's Heat or Carl Franklin's One False Move. It was also brutal in its depiction of graphic violence, which made it ahead of its time (as work coming from a major director). Thus, the critics perceived it as a slumming effort from Friedkin, barely above a drive-in splatter film. It was dismissed with a superior sniff. All the critics seemed able to comment on was the brutal, bleak nature of the film. Now, years later, the great film making that was present all along has gotten the chance to rise up through the blood. In a nutshell, this is a revenge film. A secret agent is after the counterfeiter that killed is partner, and he'll do anything to get the guy. All the Friedkin hallmarks are here. The very leanness of the film is classic Friedkin, the way he closely follows the main thread of the story without ever veering off course. Nothing is wasted. Not a shot - not a line. Also (much like Michael Mann) the viewer is immersed in a criminal world with great authority. Friedkin obviously did a great deal of research into the world of counterfeiting, and it shows in the dialogue and the cinematography. The film is expertly written (and the hardness of the dialogue was also ahead of its time) with ex secret service agent, Gerald Petievich, adding much blunt realism to the script. The acting is great, and it is a treat to watch William L. Peterson as the agent out for blood. Peterson, with his stint on TV's CSI, is now seen as professorial. But this is 1985, and back then he was much leaner and meaner - the cock of the walk, in fact, all strut and attitude. His nemesis is Willem Dafoe who is also tremendous as the genius/savant counterfeiter. His evil is so complete, he is nearly spiritual in his purity. Dafoe has never been such an effective and threatening bad guy. There are great character parts in this film as well, with the ever-psychotic John Turturro turning in a prototype eyes-like-coal-pits performance. I think my favorite bit part in the film comes from Dean Stockwell as Willem Dafoe's lawyer. Stockwell is the very essence of cool control in this role. The cinematography is by Robby Muller, and it is beautiful - extremely rich in texture and all vibrant color. The long, wordless scene where the camera watches the process of Willem Dafoe actually counterfeiting money is simply gorgeous and mesmerizing - one of my favorite sequences of any film. Finally, this film boast one of the most thrilling car chase scenes ever. I am a bit of a car-chase-scene buff, and this is one of my favorites. Suffice to say, this is one of the few car chase scenes that I actually felt myself flinching in reaction to the brilliantly filmed action onscreen. This film is a winner and built to last. I highly recommend it. -Mykal Banta
Rating: 
Summary: A Movie So Bad That It's Terrible
Review: In this film, you can clearly see William Peterson's how do you do for over three seconds, and that's definitely more William Peterson than I needed to see. There has never been a film where male nudity contributes to the plot, and this movie is no exception to the rule. There are several unnecessary scenes in which Peterson and Willem Dafoe are naked. Like in this one scene in a gym, where the two are talking and suddenly they're taking off their pants. That scene would have been much better if the pants stayed on. I wonder what filming was like. "Alright, boys, that was good. Do it again, but this time without the pants." Also, too much time was spent exploring the relationship between Peterson and the woman whose whoop-whoops saw more screen time than the ending credits.
The plot, to which I referred, is simple: a cop's partner is killed and the cop will do everything in his power to avenge his partner. It's nothing special. The best part was an interesting montage where Willem Dafoe makes counterfeit money. The unavoidable scene where one man chases another on foot was mediocre. If you want to see a good scene of someone being chased on foot, watch that part in Terminator 2 where T1000 chases Arnold and then his hands turn into crowbars and he lunges at the car. That was amazing. Overall, the movie is just some fight scenes and dialog slapped together in a slipshod manner over a score made by Wang Chung, of "Everybody have fun tonight, everybody Wang Chung tonight," fame and, unfortunately, they do not top themselves here. I wouldn't even watch it on T.V. It would make an exciting roller coaster ride, however, because it goes downhill so fast.
Rating:
Summary: William Petersen Revival Redux...
Review: William Friedkin returned to the crime thriller genre he mastered so well with "The French Connection" and tuned it in to the 80's with TLADILA. It's a gritty, violent, bleak look at good guys and bad guys in the city of angels and the fine line separating the two that often gets crossed when it shouldn't. There's lots of action, intrigue and a few surprises thrown in for good measure. But it's not a typical 80's Hollywood cop movie at all. The characters fight a desperate battle for identity and validation amidst death and deception. Nothing seems real or genuine in the daily interactions the characters take part in. As counterfeit as the money involved in the plot. Friedkin directs with a very steady hand and is fully confident with where he wants to go with his adaptation of Gerald Petievich's novel. After losing his best friend and partner, treasury agent Richard Chance goes on a personal manhunt for the suspect, a devious counterfeiting murderer who happens to be quite the artist. The bad guy in question, Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe) is a paranoid sociopath trying to circulate his funny money in the most effective way possible whilst trying to shake the cops and greedy associates at the same time. Meanwhile, Chance is partnered with agent John Vukovich (John Pankow) who is eager to nail the bad guys but soon realizes that Chance is one step from careening over the edge with every loose cannon stunt he pulls. Also in the cast are Debra Feuer as Masters enigmatic dancer girlfriend, Darlanne Fluegel as Chance's informant and object of conflicted desire, Dean Stockwell as a shifty lawyer with ambiguous aims and John Turturro as a wormy two-bit bag man for Masters. TLADILA will probably be known for making the reverse traffic car chase that's not starting to be aped more and more in movies today (Ronin, The Matrix Reloaded). But that gimmick is only part of an exciting and elaborate set piece where Chance and Vukovich try to grab some front money for a sting against Masters and end up really getting into some very hot water. Besides that chase, the film moves at a comfortable pace, never getting boring or racing to the climax without enough explanation in the story. It finds a precise balance between those two elements and delivers the goods in the entertainment department. Some might be turned off by the dated feel of the film, set dead in the middle of the decadent 80's. Another negative is that a few of the characters didn't get a chance to be fleshed out enough and while Dafoe's performance is good enough as the maniacal Masters, he could of and should of taken it further and to greater effect. Besides that, there's an ending that will leave you stunned and haunted by the events that you just saw across the screen. Definitely a smart choice as far as story and overall impact. Did I mention the many songs by 80's staple group Wang Chung? That only helps to enhance the feel of cops and robbers in the "Me Decade." Mostly overlooked in its original theatrical release and a somewhat underrated film overall, TLADILA is a refreshing slice of the 80's crime thriller genre and this nice little DVD special edition is a great way to revisit it or discover its action and surprises for the first time.
Rating:
Summary: A SOPHISTICATED THRILLER, UNDERRATED BUT VERY WATCHABLE
Review: The movie takes its time weaving the intricate story and complicated plot but it's worth the wait for the thrilling, excitement-packed action sequences. There's a whole lot of acting, not just action, taking place in this movie and if you are unable to recognize depth of emotion you might want to stick to Roger Corman movies. William Peterson puts in a brilliant yet subtle stint as a secret service agent bent on getting the criminal who killed his partner. Willem Dafoe plays a respectable yet sly master criminal who proves his mettle against the "good guys". This same story was rehashed eight years later in "Boiling Point", but personally To Live & Die.. is a lot more nail-biting. Speaking of which, the car-chase scene on the LA freeway is spectacular. Comparisons have been made to more modern car-chase, action sequences such as the chase on the Paris freeway in "Ronin" but this chase scene is clearly the blue-print for many that followed it. This scene alone is worth the price of admission. Very worthy rental.
Rating:
Summary: YAY
Review: I actually bought my dvd back in January, and it was a case of me walking by telling my friends about this movie (which they had never heard of) and lo and behold, there it was!!! I saw this movie probably a year after it came out and was VERY EXCITED to see it finally released on DVD (i could never find the VHS version anywhere anymore).
This has got to be one of my favorite movies of all time ( i have been a William Petersen fan since this movie and Manhunter) and the soundtrack score just adds to it! I do plan on ordering the soundtrack very soon! This is one of those movies that if you have seen it, you have a great appreciation for it. Too bad it didn't get the respect it deserved for it's time, but for those who do remember it and love it, continue to enjoy it!! I know I will!
Rating:
Summary: Bang Bang
Review: It's nice to see that there are plenty of fans of this often-overlooked gem from 1985. This has to be one of the best crime movies in a long time, and easily one of the best counterfeiting movies as it shows this dirty business from all angles. William Friedkin was on top of the world for a brief time in the 1970s. After Cruising (1980), he suffered personal and professional setbacks. This film is proof positive that he is an exceptionally talented director with some of the best technical skills in the biz. Indeed, Rules of Engagement and The Hunted provide recent proof that he can still deliver the goods. To Live and Die in LA is not your ordinary cops and robber, dirty money, sex and violence tale. The casting and the scripting are excellent; there is a lot up on the screen. The characters are not superhero cops and crooks, but human beings driven by greed, revenge, hubris, and lust for money, power, and violence. William Chance (the excellent William Petersen of current CSI fame) is a Secret Service agent whose partner is murdered by counterfeiter extraordinaire Eric Masters (Willem Dafoe). Chance swears to take down Masters, one way or the other, a promise that sends he and his new partner Vukovitch into a tailspin of cat and mouse where they break the rules and get in over their heads. This is not the old buddy movie formula or the typical Dirty Harry and the new partner scenario by a long shot. Chance is an appropriate name for the hotdog agent who enjoys base jumping in his spare time (note the quick flash to his jump off the Vincent Thomas during the hectic chase). Vukovitch is caught between doing right by his partner and bringing his career and his life crashing down. This is not your typical LA cop film; Friedkin has gone to great lengths to film LA differently than most directors. Indeed, this is the precursor to Heat and City of Industry, movies that dare to show LA as more than Hollywood and the hills and the downtown area. The title indicates a 'life is cheap' attitude that is reflected in the poor, industrial landscapes of the City of Angels. There's another Friedkin car chase that rivals The French Connection and was not made with any computer generated Matrix help. Wang Chung add an excellent score--no joke! The haunting piano riffs, synthesized screams for help, and loud, pulsing drum machine and sequencer tracks underscore the action without getting out shouted by the sound (like a lot of electronic film music). The disc is in print, though oddly enough their hit 'Dance Hall Days', featured in the film, does not show up. They even work the title of the film into a song(!) The film is noir-ish quality in its character treatment. Chance shacks up with a hooker who feeds him info, but he's ready to throw her back in the can if she doesn't deliver the goods. There's a sleazy lawyer played by Dean Stockwell. There's a gangly, nervous turncoat played by John Turturro. There's a street hood played by Steve James who distributes 'paper' for Masters. And Vukovitch? I won't dream of giving up the ending here. There's even Ronald Reagan's voice making a cameo in the beginning. This tough, violent film does not pull punches. The world of cops and robbers, dirty lawyers and convicts, police politics and male ego, and above all, dirty money, are all starkly presented. The lines are blurred when the agents will do anything to stop a suave
crook who is more complex than the cops themselves. I love the scene of Masters burning his new painting after completing it. How has this film been out of print for so long? When a local video store was going out of business (squeezed out by a major), I snatched this tape up in the liquidation sale. Thankfully, the film is FINALLY getting a proper DVD release. Hopefully they'll widescreen it and give us a good print; the VHS version does not do the film any justice. This is a film with style and substance, a moment in Hollywood where they got it all right. I don't think they can even turn out gems like this anymore. Do not hesitate to buy this.
Rating:
Summary: DVD Edition leaves out too much of the original! Beware!
Review: Having seen the movie To Live And Die In L.A. many times on VHS, I was very anxious to own a copy on DVD. Clearly the picture and sound quality have been improved. However, what I did not expect was for the studio to cut out so many important and pivotal scenes that are essential to develop the story and its characters. They have BUTCHERED this film when they re-produced it on DVD, and I feel like I have been ripped-off. I sincerely hope the producer and distributors of this DVD are notified of this gross error in judgement and re-edit the film to include the key scenes that were omitted. It is truely a shame that they have ruined such a terrific movie classic!
Rating:
Summary: To Live and Die . . . .
Review: One of the reviewers wrote about "To Live and Die in LA" along the lines of 'if you get it, you get it and if you don't, you don't.' That's it in a nutshell. I think this is an extraordinary crime film, competent sufficiently to stand on it's own 2 legs with Friedkin's other great effort, "The French Connection" and also the interesting and now rarely seen except for late at night "The Seven Ups." That it was also near introductory roles for Will Petersen and Willem Dafoe almost adds to the rawness of the plot, actors and the roles they play really living on the edge, taking chances. The solitary confinement of 'the job,' the apocryphal manly humor, the viciousness of the bad guys . . . and the good guys, reminds me of McQueen's role in "Bullit," notwithstanding that Bullit's car chase (in that beautiful Mustang) is the only one that comes close to this car chase on the Long Beach Freeway. This one may be the better of the two. The fine line between the good guys and the bad guys blurs and at times becomes indistinguishable. Also interesting to note is the osmosis whereby, albeit reluctantly, the character played by the confused partner, John Vukovitch (John Pankow) eventually transforms to the character played by Will Petersen (Richard Chance), much like the transformation of Jon Voight into Burt Reynold's character in "Deliverance." The cinematography is superlative; the techno-rock soundtrack by Wang Chung almost a speaking part throughout the movie. One of the best. 5 stars. Larry Scantlebury
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