Rating: 
Summary: CULT MOVIES 27
Review: 27. NIGHTHWAKS (action, 1981) Europe's most feared international terrorist Wulfgar (Rutger Hauer) has marked NY City as his next target. Two tough NY undercover cops, DaSilva (Sylvester Stallone) and partner Fox (Billy Dee Williams), are assigned to a special task force sent to terminate Wulfgar. They're frustrated, however, as their quarry proves more cunning and smart than the usual lowlifes they're used to dealing with. A climactic cat and mouse chase ensues leaving Fox wounded and Wulfgar holding UN diplomats hostage. DeSilva manages to diffuse the situation but Wulfgar again escapes. DeSilva, now alone, goes after the desperate terrorist who's on the run.Critique: Unusually gritty Stallone action vehicle didn't prove successful or widely distributed. Nevertheless, it features his best starring role and it's a shame most fans haven't been able to pick it up yet. Sporting a 'Serpico'-like beard, Stallone cuts down on the gung-ho poses that 'Rambo' and 'Rocky' fans have come to get bored of. Though not a total dud DeSilva is still a rogue cop who predictably goes over his superiors orders. The film's international background (which includes scenes shot in Europe and use of subtitles) give it class and sense of time. It's funny to see how NY cops interact with foreign 'agents' and this new international scene. The teaming of Williams and Stallone proves surprisingly effective, counter-pointing suaveness and toughness. Also outstanding is Rutger Hauer's wicked terrorist Wulfgar (his debut American role). He shows the evil mindness that would dominate his later screen personas. Smart ending too. QUOTES: Wulfgar: "We're not that different (DeSilva). I don't enjoy killing, but it's my job. Someone has to do it."
Rating:
Summary: One of the few gems in Stallone's action film catalogue
Review: A first-rate thriller 'Nighthawks' begins with a bang (literally!) and never lets ups. A top-notch cast, great use of New York City locations and a story that becomes more riveting as it develops further distinguish it. This film was made and released in 1981, a few short years before Sylvester Stallone would begin making his blockbuster mainstream action films like 'First Blood', 'Cobra' and continuing the 'Rocky' series. He has portrayed a variety of "heroes" on film but all of them pale in comparison to the character of Deke DaSilva, the New York City policeman he brings to life here. 'Nighthawks' has a plot that is timelier than ever before and DaSilva is the kind of hero that everyone is hoping for amidst all the concern over the threat of terrorism striking again in America - or anywhere else for that matter. Stallone is aces as DaSilva and Billy Dee Williams as his edgy partner Matthew Fox is equally as good. DaSilva and Fox are fervently committed to their assignment to the NYC police force's decoy unit working the graveyard shift. Rutger Hauer plays a consciousless terrorist named Wulfgar who in the beginning of the movie plants a bomb in a London department store during midday. Moments after the bomb explodes he calls the international press to claim responsibility for his terrorist faction. Days later, when Wulfgar is considered more of a liability than an effective member of the team by his faction, he relocates to NYC to demonstrate his own brand of intimidation through violence. Interpol agent Peter Hartman, played by the British film actor Nigel Davenport, arrives in NYC to train a newly organized anti-terrorist task force of the city's police force. DaSilva And Fox are assigned to the unit and they initially object vehemently to it but later accept it after a few trials and tribulations with Hartman. Eventually the two policemen pick up the trail of the murderous and destructive Wulfgar who continually evades capture until the climax of the film - one of the best surprise endings you'll ever see in a movie. The story is the real star here with action taking a secondary stage. In the beginning we see DaSilva and Fox in their urban setting capturing some deadly would-be muggers then switching immediately to London and Wulfgar planting a bomb in a busy store during the same day. The parallel we're supposed to draw is that the pair of gritty and municipal minded police officers will face their biggest challenge in attempting to capture the slick, conniving and elusive international terrorist. And the story's progression is perfect, never moving too quickly or filled with illogical leaps of reasoning. Each filming location is well chosen and used to great effectiveness, with the tramcar sequence a memorable standout. Despite being made in 1981 'Nighthawks' contains no noticeable elements that date it too terribly, even the disco scene remains surprisingly contemporary in appearance (except for the fashions maybe). Other noteworthy items include the then hugely popular Lindsay Wagner, of television's "The Bionic Woman", who appears briefly in the beginning as DaSilva's unlikely love interest, an upscale clothing fashion designer; character actor and cult favorite Joe Spinell is cast as DaSilva's and Fox's superior, Lt. Munafo, appearing in some of the film's key scenes. For a double feature pair this with either 'Cliffhanger', another superior Stallone action vehicle, or 'The Package', a Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones movie with a vaguely similar theme.
Rating:
Summary: One of the few gems in Stallone's action film catalogue
Review: A first-rate thriller 'Nighthawks' begins with a bang (literally!) and never lets ups. A top-notch cast, great use of New York City locations and a story that becomes more riveting as it develops further distinguish it. This film was made and released in 1981, a few short years before Sylvester Stallone would begin making his blockbuster mainstream action films like 'First Blood', 'Cobra' and continuing the 'Rocky' series. He has portrayed a variety of "heroes" on film but all of them pale in comparison to the character of Deke DaSilva, the New York City policeman he brings to life here. 'Nighthawks' has a plot that is timelier than ever before and DaSilva is the kind of hero that everyone is hoping for amidst all the concern over the threat of terrorism striking again in America - or anywhere else for that matter. Stallone is aces as DaSilva and Billy Dee Williams as his edgy partner Matthew Fox is equally as good. DaSilva and Fox are fervently committed to their assignment to the NYC police force's decoy unit working the graveyard shift. Rutger Hauer plays a consciousless terrorist named Wulfgar who in the beginning of the movie plants a bomb in a London department store during midday. Moments after the bomb explodes he calls the international press to claim responsibility for his terrorist faction. Days later, when Wulfgar is considered more of a liability than an effective member of the team by his faction, he relocates to NYC to demonstrate his own brand of intimidation through violence. Interpol agent Peter Hartman, played by the British film actor Nigel Davenport, arrives in NYC to train a newly organized anti-terrorist task force of the city's police force. DaSilva And Fox are assigned to the unit and they initially object vehemently to it but later accept it after a few trials and tribulations with Hartman. Eventually the two policemen pick up the trail of the murderous and destructive Wulfgar who continually evades capture until the climax of the film - one of the best surprise endings you'll ever see in a movie. The story is the real star here with action taking a secondary stage. In the beginning we see DaSilva and Fox in their urban setting capturing some deadly would-be muggers then switching immediately to London and Wulfgar planting a bomb in a busy store during the same day. The parallel we're supposed to draw is that the pair of gritty and municipal minded police officers will face their biggest challenge in attempting to capture the slick, conniving and elusive international terrorist. And the story's progression is perfect, never moving too quickly or filled with illogical leaps of reasoning. Each filming location is well chosen and used to great effectiveness, with the tramcar sequence a memorable standout. Despite being made in 1981 'Nighthawks' contains no noticeable elements that date it too terribly, even the disco scene remains surprisingly contemporary in appearance (except for the fashions maybe). Other noteworthy items include the then hugely popular Lindsay Wagner, of television's "The Bionic Woman", who appears briefly in the beginning as DaSilva's unlikely love interest, an upscale clothing fashion designer; character actor and cult favorite Joe Spinell is cast as DaSilva's and Fox's superior, Lt. Munafo, appearing in some of the film's key scenes. For a double feature pair this with either 'Cliffhanger', another superior Stallone action vehicle, or 'The Package', a Gene Hackman and Tommy Lee Jones movie with a vaguely similar theme.
Rating:
Summary: Really good Crime/thriller
Review: Acting - good
Story - good
Over all- good
If you like action/crime/thriller movies you really should see this movie. Its one of may favorite.
Rating: 
Summary: At the risk of being redundant...
Review: At the risk of being redundant... I have to echo some previously written reviews here. The film is good, but needs to be viewed in the context of its era. In other words, if you compare it to terrorist thrillers of recent years it seems a bit simple, lacking in complexity. In reality it only points out that today's thrillers are perhaps TOO complex for their own good. What we have here is a memorable movie with strong acting and some good setpieces. Stallone plays his character very nicely and believably. The ending may or may not be a predictable one, but it is certainly an unforgettable one. Alas, the DVD presentation is a disappointment. The film is presented full-frame. I was unable to determine what its original aspect ratio is, but even 1.66 would be an improvement over 1.33. The picture quality is good but a bit muddy. Sound is okay, and there are no significant extras. About its only advantage is that it's better quality than a VHS copy would be, and the price is reasonable. Otherwise, if you already own a video copy, I wouldn't recommend upgrading to the DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific Movie, weak DVD
Review: Didn't want to give the DVD a bad rating only because the film is strong. Great action flick, good plot, interesting characters, perfect run time, some very tense scenes, and Stallone is playing a role he is born to play, probably the only role. Billy Dee Williams is also entertaining,... they don't care who they kill so the civilized people that we are need to make a decision whether we are willing to take out innocent civilians to prevent an apocalypse. That said about the film, the soundtrack is mono as in the original film, quality is OK for video although those of you who are fans of widescreen may be a little disappointed. No real extras either. However, at 9.99 it's the price of two rentals and probably a keeper.
Rating:
Summary: Unknown Stallone
Review: From its exciting opening scene to its twist conclusion, NIGHTHAWKS starring Sylvester Stallone, Billy Dee Williams, and Rutger Haur is a riveting actioner. The bearded Stallone, never better, plays Deke DaSilva, a cop on the edge transferred from decoy and charged with tracking down an escaped terrorist (Haur) in the streets of New York. He is partnered with the somewhat unbalanced Matt Foxx (Williams, in a terrific characterization), and ably supported by such fine performers as Joe Spinnell and Lindsay Wagner. Haur, in his American-film debut, makes a convincing villain. Along the way, first-time director Bruce Malmuth manages to provide some hair-raising thrills. These include an exellent chase scene through New York's subway systems, and tense confrontations between Stallone and his superiors (these are so well done that they buck the cliche). He is aided immeasurably by rocker Keith Emerson's pulsating score and by a sharp script courtesy of David Huber. At the time of its release, NIGHTHAWKS was not a major success. Looking back, it is difficult to understand why because, while it is no classic, it certainly is a well-made, exciting, and interesting thriller featuring characters you can genuinely care about.
Rating: 
Summary: Rutget Hauer is Viggo Mortensen's father
Review: I enjoy bad films. This is one of the worst of the bad films to make it somewhat big in the year nineteen hundred eighty-one. Ridiculum abounds herein. Sly's powermullet runs amok. Billy Dee is sweetness personified. The dumpy, pock-marked police captain vomits his lines. Rutger Hauer is Viggo Mortensen's father & a substandard actor to boot. Incoherent, farfetched plot & poor acting, combined with busted clothes and an UTTERLY GAMELESS soundtrack, make for a great watch. Lines? Literally THOUSANDS. And delivered completely unrealistically. Overacting, underacting, bad acting, bad music, and bad lines collide in a kaleidoscope of forgettable filmmaking. Oh, and bad character names. Funniest scenes? Drugbust. Sly's walk TO drugbust. Billy Dee's ignoble shiving & Sly's retort. When international terrorist kingpin "Wulfgar" says: "I - want - that - BAS-TAARD." Any scene with the dumpy, pockfaced cappy. When the British terrorism "superspecialist" says "SHAKA" instead of ducking/diving away/going for his gun. Any time Sly's in drag, especially when he says "C'mon, he-man," to the "I'll-cut-you-man" mugger. I could go on indefinitely ... but I will.When Sly shakes Billy's hand & he has a buzzer. EVERY SINGLE EXTRA in EVERY SINGLE DISCO SCENE. When Hauer says, "Then he'll BAG." Bag what? Groceries? Ah, that's enough. My point is ... THIS FILM IS FREAKING AWESOME. Get it. Pop it in the magic picturebox. ENJOY.
Rating:
Summary: Good Film - Poor DVD
Review: I remember watching and enjoying this film when it was originally released. I was disappointed in the quality of the DVD. First of all, this film deserves a wide screen transfer. Instead, they give us a poor full screen transfer, which shows a good deal of grain and appears soft in areas. The print or original material's used for the transfer are not in the best of shape and this is very noticeable on the transfer with respect to scratches, nicks and abrasions. Unless you really love this film, I would suggest passing on this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: Who Was that Casting Director?
Review: I thought this film was brilliantly cast, and it has grown in stature over the years, perhaps because it defined the "terrorist" genre before real-life terrorism entered the public consciousness in a big way. Sly and Billy Dee were great as the hero cops, and Rutger Hauer was truly terrifying as the lead terrorist. One of my favorite cameos was Jamie Gillis, a veteran porn actor, playing the sleazy boss of Sly's wife. Who says porn stars can't act?
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