A
serial killer is going around San Francisco cutting out people’s hearts. A meek cop (Gary Goodrow) is on the case
working every angle he can. He thinks the murders may be linked to an organ harvesting ring and perpetually pesters a famous
heart transplant doctor (Ray Reinhardt) about it. Meanwhile, a rich woman (Susan O’Connell) in
desperate need of a heart will stop at nothing to get a transplant.
I have a vivid memory of being in a video store and being scared by the video box of Cardiac Arrest as a kid. From the box art, you’d think it was going to be a gory horror flick in the vein of Dr Butcher M.D. However, I think this is one of those rare cases where the poster is gorier than the movie itself.
In
fact, it plays more like an overlong TV pilot for a police procedural show than
the horror movie it was advertised to be. The pacing is lethargic, the central mystery
is boring, and I found myself nodding off more than a few times. The banter between Goodrow and his partner is
sometimes painful to sit through too.
The
best part about the movie is seeing Fred Ward popping up in a small role. He at least shows a spark of life, while everyone
else just sort of goes through the motions. Ward’s part is tiny, but at least he figures
into the film’s climax. I can’t
guarantee you’ll make it that far though.
In
short, Cardiac Arrest is one thriller with no signs of a pulse.
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