Nothing Special   »   [go: up one dir, main page]

8/10
One of my absolute Spencer/Hill favorites
21 December 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Miami Supercops" is, despite the title, an Italian movie, but it is set in Miami and as a consequence there is also some English talking in here. But these Spencer/Hill movies never really made it big in English-language countries, so no worries. No matter where you are from, you can enjoy this one. Also if you are from Germany because this is where Spencer has always been at his most appreciated. This one is from 1985, so already one of the epic duo's later collaborations and this came out when I was not even a year old. The director is Bruno Corbucci and this man directed a lot, but his main profession was writer, so no surprise that here he is one of the two writers as well. I am a bit surprised to see Hill getting first credit here, but they really are equals, him and Spencer. Maybe it was just because H comes before S (or G comes before P) in the alphabet. It's also not at all the only film in which the duo portray police officers, even if they always are a bit on the clumsy side and not the most competent fellas. However, this film here was much more serious than some of the other stuff they did. I will get to that later. For now, let me add that you will really not find any other remotely famous actors in the cast here. It is all about the two stars. The one who plays the Indian for example has never acted in another project before or after this one and that surprised me a bit because his role was not tiny. Ken Ceresne plays the main antagonist here and I think he did a good enough job. I certainly would have thought that he played in more films than he actually did. Good villain portrayal really in terms of how sleazy, corrupt and ruthless he is. This movie here ran for 95 minutes, so not short, but still shorter than most of the other stuff the two on the imdb photo appeared in.

Maybe this film is especially nice to watch for people from Miami to see what the city was like back then. Of course, it is not 100% authentic, but still. Or just to see the city, maybe recognize two or three places. I think this came out when Miami Vice as running too and maybe it is not a complete coincidence because there were also two men in the lead. The soundtrack also sounded fairly similar, especially during the opening, which had nothing to do with Spencer or Hill, but was pretty much a 3.5-minute tribute to Miami. And to smart parrots. Now a few words on some scenes and moments that I would like to elaborate on. I will also go a bit into detail about those. I think the film started on a really high note with Hill's character posing as a statue to catch two store robbers. Lots of fun, also his gesture to the store owner there with the eye. What I mentioned earlier as something truly different from this film here is that this was a lot about crime and action too, not just about funny pointless comedy with crime elements. I think this is a bit unusual. Guns are fired, even if nobody is really hurt this way and all the red we see is not blood, but comes from tomato sauce or something at the very end. Almost a bit of a spoof there. But yeah, the film starts on a rather serious note with the two main characters dealing with an old case and somebody who gets killed there. So death is talked about, even if it does not take place. Especially in the final sequence, it was almost comical. We see this big Indian guy walk right at the main antagonist and the bullets do nothing. How about a shot to the head? Come on guys. Or the electrocution scene. It is kinda hilarious how they all get up immediately afterwards as if nothing happened. In real life, they probably all would have been dead. But this warehouse scene was great fun in the end and one of the key reasons why I give this one a thumbs-up.

Another reason is the actually interesting story about one character taking a former pal's identity and managing a big career. And of course, the banter between Hill and Spencer was also entertaining as usual. Almost more entertaining than with most other films, especially the running gag sequences in which Hill's character has no money and Spencer's has to pay for him and Hill's even encourages him like with the donation for the deceased cop's family. Many other examples. Sports scenes in Spencer/Hill movies are also no rarity and here we are in a really big stadium on one occasion. Pretty brief though that one. What else can I add? Oh yes the scene in which the two big fellas change the shape of the metal. That was funny. Like a more distinguished Schwanzvergleich as we say here in Germany. Or maybe it is not a great comparison because Spencer's character was not a show-off, but got encouraged by Hill's to help the Indian guy in something like an act of kindness. I will spare you the detailed translation of the German word I just mentioned. You probably understand exactly what I mean. And if not, no worries. Women also play a part in this film and like most of the time, this is rather linked to Hill's character. He is the heart-throb usually. Even if his story with the woman and why he remembers her face was not particularly interesting. Or memorable. But some other aspects here are. For example that Spencer's character also had a love interest here and that is something that really did not happen too often in these films. She clearly loved his physical strength.

Hill (or I should say his character) getting knocked out in a movie like these is also a rare occurrence. On a completely different note, the eagle reference towards the end is also pretty cool fur sure. Okay, maybe slightly far-fetched, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. A lot more to talk about here. I will just include a few examples: Like you really don't see Hill too often in a suit. Early on, in this one you do. Could not be any further away from his western movie past, even if despite different clothing he was always a gentleman in those films too. Well, most of the time. This is one of my favorite films from 1985 and I easily give it a thumbs-up. It has more depth than Spencer/Hill movies usually do, just take their investigations concerning the surgeon, and the plot is not complete garbage. At least I think so. Apparenty, others thought differently with the rather low rating here on imdb. Still, don't trust them and go watch for yourself. It's close to a must-see. Big thumbs-up. Oh I forgot about the gay hotel owner and how much he loves muscles and the police car explosion when they are after the crook. Interesting scenes. Those were also fun. And finally it can be said that (at the very start) fans of waltz music will also see some quality in this movie. I personally, however, preferred the sight of Bud Spencer in a big red overall.
3 out of 8 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed