utgard14 Young judge Michael Douglas is frustrated with having to let scumbag criminals go on legal technicalities. Soon he's approached by his friend Hal Holbrook about joining a group of judges that meet in secret and decide to dole out vigilante justice to criminals who the legal system failed to prosecute.Mature, thought-provoking thriller with an excellent first half but man does it fall apart in the end. The basic problem is that the entire first half of the movie is spent building up to Douglas joining this group. So a lot of time is spent on making us emotionally invested in WHY this group is necessary so we're on board with Douglas. But then, almost immediately after joining, the movie pulls the rug out from under itself and Douglas regrets his decision. Then we get a pedestrian climax involving a chase and shootout in a warehouse. All of that passion shown towards caring about the victims in the first half is tossed out in favor of the movie suddenly caring more about some dirtbag drug dealers who are clearly guilty of a lot of terrible crimes but maybe not this particular one they're to be executed for. Sorry but emotionally it's a tough sell.The cast is terrific, with wonderful character actors in roles big and small throughout. The writing in the first half is also really good. But boy, the way it falls apart and so abruptly is such a downer. I'm still giving it a decent score of 7 because when it's good, it's great, but be forewarned that it's a movie that chickens out on its own premise.

LeonLouisRicci Derivative Story has Director Peter Hyams giving it a Glossy, Droll Look. Michael Douglas in an Early "Star" Role is a Disgruntled, Dissatisfied Judge suffering Depression and Frustration with the Law and its Loopholes.Designed to Provoke Thought and Discussion, the Film is a bit Dull during the Opening Act exploiting Cliché after Cliché and Scenes that are Long and Talky for the Dumbed Down among Us, driving the Point of the Movie again and again.Compelling at times as things open up a bit. The Second Act is a Creepy "Secret Society" set up and the Third Act is Full Blown Action Film Stuff. Containing some Great and Spooky Character Actors and Hal Holbrook in a Typical Role is another "That's all I can stand..." judge who states..."At least I tried to do something." Yaphet Kotto is a Cop and is underused.The Movie Tries to do something but only Half Succeeds. Overall, Not a Bad Movie but leaves a lot to be desired and is Surprisingly Flat considering the Powerful Subject Matter. Worth a Watch.

bkoganbing The Star Chamber is a film that operates under the premise that the legal system has gone awry and it's up to the judges to apply corrective action to the decisions they officially make in court. Interestingly enough Hal Holbrook who came to that conclusion as Lieutenant Briggs in the Dirty Harry film Magnum Force, is now taking a similar position as a judge.Michael Douglas as a young Superior Court Judge in Los Angeles has reached the same crossroads. After a couple of decisions on procedure that resulted in criminals being cut loose, he starts to question whether the whole criminal justice system is out of whack. That's when Hal Holbrook tells him about a most secret society.A panel of nine judges have taken it upon themselves to overrule their own rulings. Douglas eagerly joins them, but certain things to go off course for him and he questions whether he's made the right career move.The cases that Douglas came a cropper on is stuff straight out of the Law and Order episode file. In that series sometimes I think the judge's rulings are somewhat bizarre. Of course in that series it just makes Jack McCoy and his successor try all the harder to win.It's a nice film, but I do get the feeling that Star Chamber is a Law and Order episode stretched out for a feature film.

zyklonbe this is one of my favorite movies of all time! Not only does it have an all star cast, but is well written and really brings up some very good points about the law. The acting is amazing and is a great story. Deserves 4 stars instead of the two it received. Star Chamber has some of the best actors in it, including Michael Douglas, Hal Holbrook, Yaphet Kotto, Don Calfa, and Joe Regalbuto, just to name a few of the most popular. If you haven't seen this movie, SEE IT. It deals with the law and how the American Justice system is sometimes perverted, and an idea that even though the law isn't always right, it has its reasons for being that way.