![]() ![]() Shaw seems to be having fun as the latest of Hollywood’s long line of terrorists with East European accents. The usually dependable Larry Miller resorts to a “funny” voice and speech impediment as the latest in Hollywood’s long line of idiotic cops, while Obba Babatunde is fine as the latest in Hollywood’s long line of smart-but-dull black cops. The always terrific Tucci just about steals the show as the self-styled tough guy. Quaid is OK, but isn’t up to her level, trying too hard to lay on the charm in the comedy scenes. The studio publicity may suggest comparisons to “The Thin Man,” but the pic’s style is more like “Hart to Hart.” Turner looks great and is immensely appealing, tossing off the comedy and jumping into the action scenes with equal ease. MGM is no doubt hoping for a new franchise here, but the modest stunts, fights and chases, juxtaposed against equally low-key family scenes, indicate film could more logically be translated to a TV series. Herbert Ross’s camera setups are fine, and he keeps a consistent tone and a fast pace, but he evidently decided to forgo subtlety. However, the baby (played by little cutie pie Michelle Schuelke) is basically an accessory, adding little to the plot except novelty. Story occasionally wanders off on tangents, but has some good scenes, such as Tucci in the alligator pit at the zoo. Script by first-timer Ian Abrams doesn’t cover any new ground, but aims at one of the most difficult targets - lighthearted fun - and achieves its goal. The film spends about four of its 89 minutes on plot, with the rest devoted to comic scenes of Quaid and Turner playing kissy-face and cooing over their baby, fending off attackers, sidestepping the interrogations of the New Orleans police and brushing aside the assaults of persistent street mugger Muerte (Stanley Tucci, who garners the lion’s share of the laughs).
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