Deadly Impact (2010) Reviews

• A Worthy Member of the Criminal Mastermind Lineage

  gavin69422010-04-01

  After a horrible incident, police officer Tom Armstrong retires and moves to Mexico. But he is forced to return when the madman who targeted him once has returned, and only Armstrong knows the killer's mind well enough to play his games. But, of course, this only makes him a target. Director Robert Kurtzman ("Wishmaster"), more generally known as the FX maestro behind scores of films (often in the horror genre), brings his vision to the script of Alex Vesha, who knows something about tense situations, psychotic (but brilliant) killers and bomb scares. There are more than a handful of moments here where lives are on the line -- sometimes hundreds. Eat your heart out, Jack Bauer. While the lead role of Armstrong (Sean Patrick Flanery) has to be admired, there's no denying that Joe Pantoliano steals the show as The Lion. Menacing, devious, a master of disguise... he's a perfect casting choice for a villain. Despite decades in acting (including "The Goonies", "The Matrix" and "The Sopranos"), he still hasn't really achieved the notoriety he deserves. This probably will not be the film that breaks him into the top tier, but that day is coming. Watch out, Kevin Spacey. I have to say I'm not really keen on the romantic aspects, and there is some slowness in general where the piano music kicks in. I understand the importance of the romance and relationships in this one, but there is a break in the pace that I think ultimately works against the fast action of the movie. I cannot really offer a solution of how to reconcile the need for romance and the pace, though, so I think the best was done with what they had. I would have replaced the romantic interest with a platonic partner or boss, but that's just me. While I think the film is mildly flawed, due primarily to the pacing issue, it is worth seeing for anyone who enjoys the police or thriller genres. As stated, The Lion is a worthy villain in a long line of criminal masterminds, and Vesha, Kurtzman and Pantoliano really bring that to the forefront.

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• A decent watch

  rockiethadog2010-04-11

  In all honesty, I really enjoyed this movie. It was a decent thriller. It reminded me a little of the TV show 24 for some reason, maybe the storyline. Flanery and Pantoliano do a pretty good job and really make this film. I think the movie could have been better with a different female lead, she just didn't seem to suit the part. I must say though, she is a hottie!! Most of the rest of the cast just make up the numbers. One downfall was that I didn't really like how music played through most of the movie, I don't understand why they do this. If you like movies in the same genre as speed and the like you will enjoy this one.

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• deadly impact? not likely

  kentaur692010-04-26

  First of all, I love a decent action flick as much as the other guy, given it has a good story, good acting, some nice twists, good action sequences, (keep in mind, I said GOOD and NICE, not PHENOMENAL or BRILLIANT)and let's not forget about the mandatory blond/brunette/redhead bombshell. Deadly Impact has none of the above. Apart from it's cheesy title, the only two good things in this movie are Sean Patrick Flanery and Joe Pantoliano - that's why I gave it 2 stars instead of 0 - , and even they are far from their usual acting. It took me half the movie to realize that Carmen Serano really IS the female lead in this movie, and I can't understand why on earth would the producers/casting/director/studio choose an ugly-tranny-lookalike when there are so much more rising - and HOT - female stars out there. And some who CAN act, too. Not even Sean Patrick Flanery's shaggy, beat-up-look - which is always welcome - can't save this one from sinking. Final report: don't bother, unless you have absolutely nothing to do for about one and a half hours. Watch The Boondock Saints instead! (both)

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• Deadly Impact - Hardly

  john-24412010-04-12

  Another revenge flick that makes ridiculous demands on the audience - the acting is only just above the typical WWF performance, nothing else is. The plot, premise and screenplay are pure simplistic pantomime. Don't bother unless you are really sucked in by the plots in WWF. Why oh why do these action films have to have such contrived story lines to execute screenplay. An irritating dick-waving contest between and evil 'mastermind' who despite having the ability to take on any challenge sets about playing games with the dumbest cop in police enforcement history. It is very hard to imagine an psychopath so cruel that he would not have just finished the idiot in the first scene and spared us all the agony.

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• Surprising suspenses

  arieliondotcom2010-05-22

  From before the title even appears you're given a mini-movie that let's you know from the start this is no formula flick. please don't let those talking about plot holes etc discourage you from seeing this. It's fun, it's full of surprising twists and it doesn't have an overwhelming amount of super-sicko stuff that make you wonder what kind of pervs the writers must be. Yes you must suspend your belief at times but no more than in most movies of this type, and this one is much less predictable than most. I actually applauded at the ending because there's no way you can see it coming. Think of a Bruce Willis movie, only with the Bruce Willis part being played by Satan as the bad guy in the film. There is plenty of action and the only really predictable part is the survival of the lead and a steamy roll around on the floor with the love interest. I highly recommend you ignore the negative reviews and watch. it's one of the few movies I've seen lately that has the mature subject matter of a plot that doesn't make you ashamed to have seen it. surprisingly suspenseful, unpredictable and a satisfying conclusion without too much gore or sicko stuff (not even that much cursing except a spattering of F's and MF's here and there, noticeably lighter than most films). . Not much more than that you can ask of a thriller

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