PeterMitchell-506-564364 Deadly Force is an action thriller, but with a twist that I like. I can't believe the bad rap this film has got. This film really has a story to it. At the request of a friend, who's daughter is the latest victim of the X killer, a motiveless madman, who leaves a X marked across the victim's foreheads, ex cop Hauser in top form, returns to his old battleground in L.A. He receives a not so welcoming reception, from some of his old acquaintances, including his ex, a successful news reporter, covering this story. It isn't long before Wings is pushing this guy's buttons, in one thrilling scene he's nearly taken out by this nut, while lazing in a bath. But there appears to be more deadlier forces at play here. We too are a granted a little hot sex scene that Hauser and his better half, starkers, makin' out, amidst the madness. Hauser's character here as a lot of his other characters, is intriguing as it is ambiguous. We want to know more about him. He's a wild card, a good cop thrown off the force before he wouldn't play by the rules. Him and his old black superior, Hoxley, clash many times. After all, next year is an election year. He really has it in for Hauser, even going to the point, of tipping one of his ex con enemies off, whose been promised a split of reward, if he catches this fruitcake. This film has enough action for the serial killer/cop thriller fan and Hauser's screen presence is one great reason to watch this. Remember he did start out on The Young And The Restless. The violence is surprisingly tame, but wit Hauser in the lead, and on the chase, it makes the whole movie worth it. Underrated. A compelling watch.

Vomitron_G What we have here is a typical run-of-the-mill eighties crime/action/thriller from the somewhat lower budget regions. The plot involves a (very active) serial killer running amok in L.A. One of the apparently random victims, being killed at the very start of the movie, is the granddaughter of an ex-thief. Granddaddy then calls in the help of Stoney Jackson Cooper (Wings Hauser), a former hard-boiled cop from the L.A. police force who doesn't like playing by the rules. When he arrives in L.A., the authorities, local criminals as well as his (soon-to-be) ex-wife are not too happy with his return. But Stoney doesn't care. He's got a job to do and a promise to keep: track down the vile killer and put a stop to his activities.The story bounces to the left & the right at an uneven pace, but still manages to be quite coherent and even turn in a twist at the start of the third act (albeit one you'll probably see coming). Wings Hauser is in top shape in this one and pretty much owns the movie. One scene has him relaxing in a bath tub, and then going after the killer butt-naked after the whole loft has been shot to pieces during the killer's surprise attack. Even a pretty decent but obviously very standard climax is added to the mix (Wings vs. the killer, after his true identity is exposed). Other forms of entertainment, aside from shooting & killing, are included also, like a soft-core sex-scene (Wings & Joyce Ingalls) and an obligatory car crash/explosion. Yes, "Deadly Force" does its best to play it right.Sadly, one of the worst aspects of "Deadly Force" is the musical score. The main theme - if you can call it that - doesn't work at all. It's too rocky & funky and is used too often & inappropriately (even during the climactic fight & chase scene at the end). It gives the film a much sillier & dated vibe than it should have. A more gritty & tense analog synth score would have worked wonders, I'm sure. But in the end, "Deadly Force" is much more entertaining than it's poor rating on here would lead you to believe. And it's mainly thanks to Wings Hauser and a typical B-movie script that at least tries to make things work.

udar55 This is Wings Hauser's follow-up to his star making role in VICE SQUAD (1982) but with him playing the cop this time. Ex-cop Stoney Cooper (Hauser) returns to L.A. to track down the X Killer, whose latest victim was an old friend's granddaughter. Immediately upon his arrival Stoney runs afoul of his old enemies - cops and killers alike - and his ex-wife. The plot is a bit convoluted and full of convenience but the film moves at such a quick pace you hardly have time to contemplate things. Hauser exudes on screen charisma (the opening cliché bit where he disarms someone in a standoff is really good) and it is a shame he never got any further in theatrical vehicles. Surprisingly, not a lot of the supporting actors are well known. Lincoln Kilpatrick does show up as the angry police Captain and Estelle Getty has a bizarre 5 minute cameo as a foul mouthed cabbie.

helfeleather Early in the film, there is a great scene where Wings Hauser is confronted by a couple of thugs in a car. They punch him in the gut, put a gun to his head, shove him through the car window and tell him to go back to New York.Unfortunately he ignores their warning and the film drags on for another hour.