Rating: 
Summary: Not great art, but terrific craft
Review: With films like The Warriors and Hard Times to his credit, I'll always give Walter Hill the benefit of a doubt, and with Extreme Prejudice it wasn't difficult. He takes the well-worn plot of two boyhood buddies who end up on opposite sides of the law and throws in a few twists, some very good performances and some down-and-dirty directing to make this outing better than it should have been. The story takes place in a Texas town that borders Mexico where the local sheriff (played well by Nick Nolte) is trying to stop the over-the-border drug trafficing by his old buddy (played by Powers Booth in one of his better performances). Matters are complicated first by the fact that they share a love for the same woman, and second by the fact that there is an army colonel in town (played by Michael 'I never turned down a script in my life' Ironside) leading a troop of "dead" soldiers who are supposed to be trying to nail the local bank for drug money laundering, but are actually hiding another agenda. There are some obligatory scenes of tough-guy stuff and nifty, well directed shoot-outs but the various plot elements never let things drag. The action moves so well you can set your watch by it. Hill knows how to set up his shots, and his editor must have had a great time pasting it all together because it moves as smooth as silk. The proceedings are helped by some excellent support acting by the likes of Clancy Brown and William Forsythe et al. Some could easily complain that the final mayhem was lifted right out of "The Wild Bunch" and they'd be right. Hill doesn't do much more than throw in a few more pounds of grime, sweat and blood, but I didn't care one bit. This scene is choreographed as well as any I've ever seen and it keeps you on the edge of your seat. Walter Hill won't save the world with this film, but it deserves more than it got. The "guy" factor alone should have pushed it into the stratosphere. This is just one nifty flick, so pull up a pizza and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!! (Lousy Transfer.._
Review: With Walter Hill channeling Sam Peckinpah, Extreme Prejudice is a low budget film that delivers the goods. This features Nick Nolte at his prime best playing texas ranger Jack Benteen. However, Powers Boothe who plays Cash Bailey, a disillusioned lawman who crossed the line definitely makes this movie complete. This movie also features a slick and effective sub plot that is headed by another one of my favorites, Michael Ironside who plays a corrupt army major out to pull the ultimate heist at the expense of his own men. (Clancy Brown, William Forsythe and the surprising Larry B. Scott of "Revenge of the Nerds" fame)Hill does a great job editing and building up the tension in the final act of the film culminating in one of the best free for all gun battles ever staged. I hope that the people at artisan entertainment get wise and clean up the print and properly re-release this gem from the '80s.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!! (Lousy Transfer.._
Review: With Walter Hill channeling Sam Peckinpah, Extreme Prejudice is a low budget film that delivers the goods. This features Nick Nolte at his prime best playing texas ranger Jack Benteen. However, Powers Boothe who plays Cash Bailey, a disillusioned lawman who crossed the line definitely makes this movie complete. This movie also features a slick and effective sub plot that is headed by another one of my favorites, Michael Ironside who plays a corrupt army major out to pull the ultimate heist at the expense of his own men. (Clancy Brown, William Forsythe and the surprising Larry B. Scott of "Revenge of the Nerds" fame) Hill does a great job editing and building up the tension in the final act of the film culminating in one of the best free for all gun battles ever staged. I hope that the people at artisan entertainment get wise and clean up the print and properly re-release this gem from the '80s.
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