I recently picked up the DVD which sure as heck looked a thousand times better than my cruddy old foreign videotape. While this film is not nearly as boring as I'd remembered, it's still one of the lesser crime films (despite 3 or 4 awesome moments like when they shoot a guy just minding his own business reading the paper).
The total lack of suspense, immediacy, or likable characters ruins it... there is virtually no plot and not enough random crime to keep it interesting. The film relies too heavily on the nonexistent charisma of its two leads, who both look good but don't really say or do much except act cocky and shoot people.
Usually I really like Ubaldo Continiello's work, but his music here is a real letdown and virtually missing-in-action except for the theme song (sung by Ray Lovelock)... which is one of the worst songs ever! It's almost comically bad! Pay attention during the opening credits of the shot where Lovelock is riding with Porel on a motorcycle - watch how Lovelock is trying to get his face on camera, but Porel keeps blocking the way - Lovelock gradually becomes visibly angrier and angrier. It's completely hilarious.
Highlights of the film, typical of any Deodato movie, are the well-directed and inspired moments of violence and sleaze. Nothing near the level of his cannibal masterpieces, but still pretty heavy for the genre. Such scenes include a savage beating of a woman overly protective of her purse, a hit-man getting smushed between two cars, and an amusing bit where several bank robbers are killed one-by-one by the "heroes" before they even commit their crime. Also unique is the heroes' brazenly irresponsible attitude toward gun safety (such as when they target practice in the quarry) and totally politically incorrect womanizing. The ironic atmosphere and dark humor helps a little, but not enough.
Within this genre, you're much better off with Castellari and Lenzi's numerous offerings. Fulci's CONTRABAND is similarly dull and unengaging but much more violent and mean-spirited, and an overall better way for fans of this stuff to spend their time and money.
The total lack of suspense, immediacy, or likable characters ruins it... there is virtually no plot and not enough random crime to keep it interesting. The film relies too heavily on the nonexistent charisma of its two leads, who both look good but don't really say or do much except act cocky and shoot people.
Usually I really like Ubaldo Continiello's work, but his music here is a real letdown and virtually missing-in-action except for the theme song (sung by Ray Lovelock)... which is one of the worst songs ever! It's almost comically bad! Pay attention during the opening credits of the shot where Lovelock is riding with Porel on a motorcycle - watch how Lovelock is trying to get his face on camera, but Porel keeps blocking the way - Lovelock gradually becomes visibly angrier and angrier. It's completely hilarious.
Highlights of the film, typical of any Deodato movie, are the well-directed and inspired moments of violence and sleaze. Nothing near the level of his cannibal masterpieces, but still pretty heavy for the genre. Such scenes include a savage beating of a woman overly protective of her purse, a hit-man getting smushed between two cars, and an amusing bit where several bank robbers are killed one-by-one by the "heroes" before they even commit their crime. Also unique is the heroes' brazenly irresponsible attitude toward gun safety (such as when they target practice in the quarry) and totally politically incorrect womanizing. The ironic atmosphere and dark humor helps a little, but not enough.
Within this genre, you're much better off with Castellari and Lenzi's numerous offerings. Fulci's CONTRABAND is similarly dull and unengaging but much more violent and mean-spirited, and an overall better way for fans of this stuff to spend their time and money.