FIRST LOOK: Exit Wounds (1 Viewer)

[Ronald Epstein]

EXIT WOUNDS

The good news is that I'll be doing early
FIRST reviews for Warner Brothers in the forum.
I am very happy to be receiving product from them
to review and post, helping our members make
their purchase decision.
The bad news is that Warner accidently screwed
up this week's shipment. It was my hope to have
the first forum review of THE GOONIES, but
that will be put on the backburner till later this
week.
So, what I was left with was Steven Segal's
latest film, EXIT WOUNDS, a feature from
producer Joel Silver (The Matrix).
I need to tell you first off that I am not a
Steven Segal fan. However, going into this movie
I knew that it would be badly acted mindless
entertainment, and on THAT level, it did not
disappoint.
The basic premise of this movie concerns Detroit
detective Orin Boyd (Segal) who finds himself in
political hot water after saving the life of the
Vice President. He gets demoted to a traffic cop,
and finds himself getting involved in a huge drug
ring that involves crooked cops.
It's very interesting to look at this film on
two levels.....
First, I can see why critics totally disliked
this film. This is another one of those "B"-grade
action films that doesn't even come close to
THE MATRIX. The acting is horrible, and the fight
sequences look terribly phony with slow-motion
camera tricks desperately trying to pump up
something that just isn't there.
On the other hand, I was very surprised as to
how much I was able to tolerate this movie. It
completely succeeds as a very entertaining
mindless action movie. There are plenty of
fights and car chases, including one very cool
chase from a parking garage onto and through
the city streets. Of course, you'll sit and
scratch your head as to how these characters
can realistically do all these things -- but hey,
it's just entertainment!
Another reason to consider EXIT WOUNDS is
that this is one of the most drop-dead gorgeouse
transfers I have ever seen. The film looks
beautiful. It's vibrant with colors that just
stick out -- from crisp outdoor scenes to colorful
greens and yellows painted on naked strippers
inside the night club (yes I did say naked strippers).
The sound is also reference quality, and one
of the best soundtracks I have heard in a while.
The rear speakers remain active throughout the
movie. One minute you hear background music as
the characters speak across the front soundstage.
The next minute, you are dodging bullets that
ricochet off of every speaker.
The film also boasts a thumping rap soundtrack.
Though I am not a fan of rap, I thought the music
was well suited for this movie.
The disc has some interesting extra features
including a BEHIND-THE SCENES documentary,
Theatrical Trailer, a DAY ON THE SET feature, and
of course, DMX's "No Sunshine" video.
Oh? The best part of this movie? Stay for
the ending credits. I was rolling with
laughter on my couch watching Tom Arnold talk
about his nipples.
With some on-line sites selling this title
under $19, I suppose I will have to reccomend
this as a purchase to consider just as long
as you know what you are getting into.
RELEASE DATE: AUGUST 31st
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Ronald Epstein (pronounced like the English "Ronald Epstein")
Circa 2000
Home Theater Forum Administrator
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[Michael Shannon]

Thanks for the review Ron. This will be a Friday release?
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[Reginald Trent]

I enjoyed it at the theater and will be getting the DVD.

 

[JohnS]

I'll be picking this one up as well, I enjoyed it just for Anthony Anderson and Tom Arnold
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[Aaron Reynolds]

Well, my mom is a huge Segal fan (she usually refers to him as "Nosebreaker", as in, "Are there any new Nosebreaker movies I can rent?"), and she had been a little down that he hadn't done much in the way of new movies lately. I will admit that I was mean enough to rent Executive Decision for her and tell her it was a Segal movie, but, of course, Spoiler:he dies half an hour into it. After watching it, she came up to me and complained "I kept waiting the whole movie for him to come back!" She figured he was holding on to the bottom of the plane or something. .
Anyhow, as a surprise for her birthday, I took her to see Exit Wounds in the theatre, and I too was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. It was funny, had some good stunts and a great car chase, and was never dull. Plus, we played the location spotting game, since it was filmed in Toronto and Hamilton (note the number of Tim Horton's signs that appear in the big nighttime car chase).

 

[Chris M]

Aaron, don't forget that the bridge at the beginning of the movie was shot in Calgary, on our Center Street Bridge. I think it was shot around Sept 2000 actually
It was REALLY funny to watch the guys in the fancy car drive down Calgary's 7th Avenue at high speed. That street is reserved for our C-Trains and emergency vehicles only.... definately very amusing if you know that bit!
I liked this movie, it was definately fun as long as you just want to be taken for a ride and not actually think

Who knows, I may end up buying it myself!
Chris.
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[Edited last by Chris M on August 09, 2001 at 03:30 PM]

 

[AdrianJ]

(yes I did say naked strippers).

Ron, you just said the two words that might get me to watch this movie!

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Adrian Jones

 

[Aaron Reynolds]

It was REALLY funny to watch the guys in the fancy car drive down Calgary's 7th Avenue at high speed. That street is reserved for our C-Trains and emergency vehicles only.... definately very amusing if you know that bit!

That is funny! We were laughing during the chase when we saw oncoming traffic coming the wrong way down the one way streets (the section of Hamilton that the chase was filmed in is like a big grid of one-ways), because we figured they were going for the realism of bad drivers in Detroit.

I didn't notice, tho'...were there any inappropriate backgrounds in those Calgary bridge shots? I'm thinking of Rumble In The Bronx, where in shots here and there you can see picturesque mountains in the background, prompting the question, "Rumble in which Bronx, exactly?"

 

[John Geelan]

I loved this movie in the theater. Its a real throwback to the early 80's action thrillers. Very well done considering the budget and the star.
Will definetly buy this one.
Great review Ron. +

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[Aurel Savin]

Ron:
Took your advice and rented this. Not a bad flick ... good plentyful action.
Tom Arnold steals all the scenes he is in; as usual.
The sound and transfer is gorgeous.
The only gripe I have is why do studios try to pass something filmed in a foreign country as taking place in the US. What is the point of this?
I mean Canada looks so much different than any US city ... no many how many American Michigan plated cars you are going to stuff in the shot ... it ain't Detroit. Not to mention it is an insult to the residents of both countries.
The funniest was RUMBLE IN THE BRONX. I mean "the BRONX" was even in the title. Clearly the movie was shot somewhere else ...
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RIGHT ... CHEERS!
The Hole

 

[David-alexander]

some reviews point to some lack of bass or unexpected lack of that real "oomph" typical with these movies.
any comment on that ?
thanks for the honnest reviews, as always.
David