Linda (Crocodile Dundee) Kozlowski stars as a tough private investigator who is hired by the residents of a Pittsburgh slum to catch a serial killer. She eventually discovers it is the work of dirty cops who are in cahoots with a shady land developer who is trying to devalue the property so he can buy it up at bargain prices. The cops behind the plot just might also be the ones who disgraced her father’s good name years ago, which gives Linda an added incentive to bring the bad guys down.
Kozlowski makes for a solid lead. If you only know her from the Crocodile Dundee movies, you might think she’s been miscast as a karate-kicking vigilante, but she equips herself just as well as can be expected. The supporting cast is a lot stronger than it needs to be, which helps keep you invested, even when the film starts to spin its wheels. Hector Elizondo does a fine job as Kozlowski’s mentor, Paul Sorvino chews a lot of scenery as the stereotypical Yelling Captain, and John Shea is a sturdy enough romantic lead for this kind of thing.
Backstreet Justice makes for a serviceable, if maybe a bit forgettable way to kill ninety minutes. It’s nothing you haven’t seen before, but it gets the job done for the most part. Although things tend to get a tad plot-heavy at times (especially in the second act), Kozlowski’s feisty performance ensures you won’t be bored.
Overall, this is slightly better than your average lady avenger flick. Sure, it could’ve used a bit more action, a little less exposition, and a heavier concentration of exploitation elements to really put it over the top. (Kozlowski does get a pretty good nude scene though.) However, undiscriminating fans of ‘90s vigilante actioners should be moderately entertained by Kozlowski’s crimefighting shenanigans.
AKA: Dead Wrong.
No comments:
Post a Comment