SHOOT TO KILL
US, 1988, 109 minutes, Colour.
Sidney Poitier, Tom Berenger, Clancy Brown, Kirstie Alley, Richard Masur, Andrew Robinson.
Directed by Roger Spottiswoode.
Shoot To Kill (Deadly Pursuit) is an FBI chase story set on the west coast of the U.S. and in the Rockies, culminating in Vancouver. It is familiar material but is particularly well done by director Roger Spottiswoode (Terror Train, Pursuit of D.B. Cooper, Under Fire).
It is a star vehicle for Sidney Poitier, ten years after appearing -1n films when lie mostly directed. He gives a vigorous and athletic performance (in his 60s). He is well-matched by Tom Berenger as the mountain main with whom lie has to team In pursuit of a vicious murderer (played effectively by Clancy Brown). Kirstie Alley is good as the mountain guide who is caught by the murderer.
The action sequences are very well paced indeed, involving audiences in their drama, horror and excitement. The sequences of pursuit in the Rockies are scenically breathtaking as well as action-packed. The climax in the city - and the contrast between Tom Berenger and his abilities in the mountains and Poitier and his ability in the city is stressed - is also a fine action climax.
Action fans will not be disappointed - the film echoes the violence of American criminals in the late '80s. It shows the relentlessness of the FBI in pursuing justice.
1. Enjoyable action thriller? FBI chase? Murder mystery? Buddy movie?
2. The west coast locations, San Francisco and Vancouver, the use of the cities? The country roads, the Rockies and their terrain, the weather? Musical score? Editing and pace?
3. The conventions of the plot but their being well-used: the crime and the FBI agent, Sarah and the mountains, the unlikely pair in pursuit, the drama of the pursuit, the climax?
4. The initial crime, the mystery of the identity of the killer, his brutality, the diamonds, the murder, the hostage and killing her? The motivation, the thwarting of Stanton? Stanton and his pursuit, revenge?
5. Stanton and the investigation, his FBI background, clues, reaction, plan, his relationship With the authorities? (And the incidental background of his personal and romantic life?)
6. Jonathan and his life in the country, the silent type, tough and aggressive? The group going out on the walk, his relationship with Sarah?
7. The plan to go in pursuit of the criminal? The arguments pro and con, Jonathan and sullen, communication? The skills required, fitness? Stanton's age? The stressed difference between city and country? The start, the pace, the equipment, the shelter? The terrain? The antagonism between the two men? The crossing of the gorge, the rope, Jonathan's fall, battered
against the rock, Stanton saving h Lm? The climb, the cramp, the snow? Jonathan warming up Stanton? The going up the cliff face? The crisis with the bear - and the black man frightening him away? Coming out on the road, the logging truck? The effect of the ruggedness of the terrain, the journey, the relationship between the two men, each responsible for the other's life?
8. Stanton's character, work, the investigation, the demands, age, the city man, coping? On his own territory in Vancouver? Pursuit, clues, driving, the intuitions used, the confrontation, the final shoot-out on the ferry, shot, into the water, the death of the killer?
9. The contrast with Jonathan's character, rugged, individualist, relationship with Sarah, on the trip? Lost in the city, following Stanton's lead, learning from him, the final confrontation and his helping with the rescue of
Sarah?
10. Sarah and her skills, leading the group, her relationship with them, the suddenness of the deaths, communication with Sam, learning the truth, Steven and his hold over her? Throwing the diamond away? The fire, the fish? The rope, running away, on to the road, the logging truck? Her held as hostage, the danger, used on the ferry, rescued?
11. The sketch of the group, the men, their background, types, relating with one another, the mountains, audience wondering which one was the killer? The fright about the bear and its being Sarah? The man who slipped out of the cliff, getting Steven's gun, thrown over? The killer and his throwing the others over the cliff? Stanton and Jonathan discovering their bodies? The killer, his ruthlessness, taking Sarah, keeping her alive, the communication and his orders, offering her the diamond? Into the truck, in the kitchen, in the car, the ferry? His final confrontation with Stanton, his death under water?
12. The atmosphere of Vancouver: the waiting, the kitchen and the detection, the phone call, the diamond dealer and setting up his confession, waiting in the city, the shooting, the chase, the cars and the speed and action, the ferry, the shooting, the underwater drama?
13. Satisfying thriller, crime story, pursuit, portrait of characters?
