Loose Cannons Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Detective Mack Stern is facing the greatest challenge of his career... his new partner.
Gene Hackman is a cop who's lost his paitence. Dan Aykroyd is his partner who's lost his mind.
A comedy with personality... Lots of them.
Mac, the two fisted savy cop finds that he's being saddled with a new partner, a known burn out, to work with him on a new and difficult case. The new partner is, Ellis, an amazing detective, one who puts Sherlock Holmes to shame with his lightning fast deductions. Ellis has a couple of problems. He keeps assuming the personalities of entire casts of Television shows. This can be a problem when people begin shooting at them.
| Dan Aykroyd | Ellis Fielding |
| Gene Hackman | MacArthur Stern |
| Dom DeLuise | Harry 'The Hippo' Gutterman |
| Ronny Cox | Smiley |
| Nancy Travis | Riva |
| Robert Prosky | Von Metz |
| Paul Koslo | Grimmer |
| Dick O'Neill | Captain |
| Jan Triska | Steckler |
| Leon Rippy | Weskit |
| Robert Irvin Elliott | Monseigneur |
| Herb Armstrong | Cheshire Cat |
| Robert Dickman | White Rabbit |
| David Alan Grier | Drummond |
| S. Epatha Merkerson | Rachel |
| Bob Clark |
4.10 out of 10 (1119 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Simply awful
posted on 13 Sep 2008It was a torture to stay until the end, but I did it so that I could be objective. This film is unbelievably idiot, pointless, cliche and un-funny. Two great actors, Gene Hackman and Dan Aykroyd spoil in 2 hours what they had built in all their career. There is nothing in this movie worth mentioning, except the fact that it is so awful. The worst parts are by far where this bomb tries to be funny. A total failure. Reaching the so bad it's good category, but it doesn't make it, so I guess not even the MST3K guys would like this one.
Good God, WHY?
posted on 30 Jun 2008I thought that these two actors would make a good film together...I was sorely mistaken. The jokes were bad, Hackman's acting (if it can indeed be called that) is forced, and Aykroyd is flat-out embarrassing. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't; I was asleep. Nothing worked in this movie.
A very underrated film for Dan Aykroyd
posted on 16 Dec 2007This is a truly funny movie. I mean, Gene Hackman and Dan Aykroyd were absolutely great in this film. They make a great team in this movie. Basically one plays a cop, who doesn't have a home. The other plays a cops who's brilliant at his job, but suffers from split personality disorder. They are both teamed together to solve a murder which revolves around a mysterous film connected to Hilter's death. The critic's blew it again, with this film. Dan Aykroyd was actually quite good in this film. He played his character very well. So, did Gene Hackman. This is a very enjoyable film.
don't waste your time
posted on 19 Apr 2007The plot description sounds hilarious: It's about a schizophrenic (Dan Aykroyd) who drives his policeman partner (Gene Hackman) crazy because he has like twenty different personalities from various television shows. However, the different personalities took up very little of the movie; most of it was about how emotionally disturbed Aykroyd is by his schizophrenism (is that a word?). The plot beyond Aykroyd's delusions is forgettable - in fact, I forgot about it already (I think it had something to do with a crime). Do not waste your time with this unfunny piece of trash. And I'm only saying "trash" because the comment guidelines say no profanity.
A low-grade embarrassment
posted on 13 Apr 2007The only remarkable aspect of this threadbare, puerile movie is the talent level associated with it. Richard Matheson had a hand in the screenplay, and Gene Hackman and Dan Aykroyd both said yes to a film that, frankly, should never have been released in its presented form. Without knowing the history of the preproduction, the assumption would be that there had to be a major change to the script between initial conception and the final product. Otherwise, it is hard to see Hackman or Aykroyd accepting on the basic premise of making cheap laughs out of a psychiatric illness – bearing in mind this was long before the days of "Me, Myself and Irene." The darker elements of the plot certainly call for a much more serious approach, which could have worked with a better actor. In reality, it's hard to chuckle as Aykroyd goons about as Butch Cassidy, various Star Trek characters, and Road Runner, to name but a few.These personalities manifest under severe duress, and such a plot device would be more believable if the character was a civilian caught up in the cops & robbers chase. Instead – incredibly - not only is Aykroyd a cop, he was never cut out for the rigors of police work and was given the job as a favor from his uncle, a senior police detective. Really, which career cops do that kind of thing? Worse still, Aykroyd is brought out of convalescence by the same uncle, who is apparently so desperate to crack a case that he will endanger the welfare of a family member with a very serious psychiatric illness, and risk the loss of his job for gross misconduct. Suspending disbelief even in the name of broad comedy can only go so far.The movie sets the tone right at the beginning with a crass scene that introduces Hackman as a detective on a disturbance-of-the-peace call to an apartment building. Why a couple of detectives are sent out on a routine call is never adequately explained. Aykroyd's gooning is often plainly embarrassing – leaping around in the street during a car chase, doing a flying monkey/Wicked Witch skit from "The Wizard of Oz" comes painfully to mind. The bad guys might as well be made from cardboard, which would explain how such ruthless villains can just stand there holding their guns as Aykroyd-as-Road-Runner steamrolls over them. Beep-beep! It's all extremely low-grade stuff, and deserves to be avoided, even by fans of the main actors, especially as Hackman is only here to make up the numbers. There is an attempt at empathy for Aykroyd's character with some serious talk about his condition, but Aykroyd simply isn't a gifted-enough actor to pull this off. Dom DeLuise is along for the ride and he does what little is asked of him. In fact, his character is very easy for the audience to identify with, as he rolls his eyes and groans at Aykroyd's antics throughout the movie.
Not that great
posted on 18 Nov 2006This movie is slightly funny. The only person that really adds anything to it is DeLuise, and this is only once in a while. Akyrod's impressions of others are not that funny at all. Hackman does not add too much, but alas, like many of the films he is in, the film would not be half as good, or bad, as it is without him.
Hackman's worst movie but still kind of funny
posted on 21 Sep 2006How could Gene Hackman be part of this project and still remain dignified throughout the entire movie? Dan Aykroyd has at least done much worse (remember Doctor Detroit) but we kind of expect Hackman to be above this kind of sleazy action/comedy. I guess he thought that he could do Eddie Murphy one better who was at that time the king of action comedy.(Warning: Spoilers) The plot involving the Germans trying to make a Fourth Reich is very tired indeed and they are such an easy target. Check out what happens when Robert Prosky does his "best" Hitler imitation at the end of the movie and look at the screen behind him. Then remember his first scene he's in and it's exactly like you predicted but hoped it wouldn't turn out. I can remember seeing Prosky on Hill Street Blues where he was absolutely great and then seeing him here and saying: "What a tool!"And let's not forget the human blimp Dom DeLuise. Maybe he was funny in the early part of his career but to see him wheeze his way through a part that is miscasting to the max makes you feel nauseous. Ronny Cox of Beverly Hills Cop fame tries a southern accent which makes him sound like a very bad imitation of Billy Bob Thornton.The thing that is funny about this below average film is how many famous people who make perfect fools of themselves and Dan Aykroyd should feel kind of embarrassed to make schizophrenia look annoying instead of a disease. Like Roger Ebert has mentioned: "Any material can be funny if executed the right way." but this is definitely wrong.
not that bad, geez
posted on 13 Aug 2006I'm 15. I first remember seeing this film along time ago when I was about 8 or 9 years old. Now after renting from the video store I had a chance to view it again.Gene Hackman plays Mac, a cop who is reluctantly partnered with Ellis (Dan Aykroyd) to solve a series of grisly murders. Ellis also happens to have Multiple Personality Disorder and when faced with violence he begins to go into these alternate personalities, mostly characters from popular television shows. Back to the story, the killer behind the murders is a German named Von Metz (Robert Prosky) who has employed a group of bloodthirsty hitmen to kill anyone who has viewed a snuff film that contains the death of Hitler at the hands of Von Metz. Now Von Metz, if he can get the film off the black market, will almost certainly be elected as chancellor of West Germany. Now a lot of people have dissed this movie for numerous reasons; I only agree with a few of them. Yes, I think Dan Aykroyd's character could have been pulled off by somebody better, like Robin Williams. This movie isn't really all that violent, yes people get shot a lot, but that is about it, even though many people say it is. Also many people say this movie isn't really that funny, I found myself laughing quite a few times. I give it a 6/10
Bad Movie??? Nah....Great movie???Maybe
posted on 26 Feb 2006GOOD movie!!! I dunno what the other people are griping about, maybe they are easily offended.If you like the 48 Hours Movies, you will like this one.Is it crude? Yes. Is it stupid? yes. Is it REALLY stupid? REALLY yes. Fun to watch? AMAZINGLY so.Although I agree Dom Deluise "Can" butcher movies sometimes, this one he was good in..the obnoxious, fat Triple XXX movie producer. Dan Akroyd as lunatic #1 makes a good performance....Not a full laugh all the time movie, but the one-liners and stupid acts make it funnyAlthough it jumps A lot, and is somewhat..eh..loose-ended at times. it is a joy to watch.They were able to cram SO many movie cliché's and references it was fun to watch because of that!!!(It's amazing all the people in it that you know from other shows. Stargate SG1, Coach, etc.) Cop-buddies, S&M, Porno and Nazi smut and sympathizer, hunted down by Israeli Mossad....Let me put it this way: If you like occasional stupidity mixed with comedy and crudeness...this is the movie :D Plus you can find it half ways cheap.My opinion=9 stars....IF...you don't watch it that often :D Only 2-3 times a year.
I was there!
posted on 02 Feb 2006I had the opportunity to appear in a few "background" scenes during the filming in DC. As an active duty police detective at that time, I was somewhat critical of how Hackman and company were portrayed. A modern version of the Keystone Cops is not what I had expected. Spending my weekend off with the production/film crew was albeit a worthwhile experience. You are afforded first hand "up close and personal" contact with the actors and the effort it takes to put the entire project together. I watched as Dom Deluise entertained some tourists/passersby when his scene was over and had an occasion to chat with Ronny Cox. Sadly,this was not really a good movie. The actors worked well with what they had, but they had little to work with. Fortunately most of them have moved on to far better scripts to enhance their careers.
Critics Got It Wrong Again!
posted on 17 Sep 2005Both my son Jack and I very much enjoy this film. The critics have given this film a bad review but we don't care. Gene Hackman's presence as always lifts the film and Dan Aykroyd makes a good foil; a sort of Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Not over violent with some good jokes. Ronny Cox, always watchable. Paul Koslo makes a good heavy. Come on critics, lighten up!!
Torture.
posted on 10 Jun 2005I remember saying to someone recently, "It seems Gene Hackman never makes a bad movie." I looked at my Guide tonight and saw that this would be on, and I was like, cool, I wonder if this is the movie where Aykroyd does all those voices! then it came on and I was like, YEAH, this is it! Because I remember, like, 8 years ago I thought it was real funny.Halfway through the movie tonight though, and I was like, I actually liked this movie? someone please shut Aykroyd the hell up! Hackman has done a bad movie or two I guess.I gave this movie, like, a 2
Violent action film tries to be funny, and it isn't.
posted on 29 May 2005Director Bob Clark (PORKY'S) is not just known for his handfuls of weird horror movies in the 70s, but for comedies that are offending and tasteless. You'd believe that Dan Aykroyd would pair himself well with Gene Hackman in helping LOOSE CANNONS out as a farce of espionage and spy thrillers. As a first-rate comedy star, why not? His imitations of movie references and cliches are very annoying to make this generally unfunny along with the sexist dialogue that is rendered useless. It's confusing and sloppy for a movie like this to carry multiple personalities of its own compared to, again, Aykroyd. At one point it is slapstick and stupid, only to be followed by some intense (surprisingly graphic) violence and sheer boredom. The cycle repeats itself again to make this very uneven in the comfort of it all. Dom DeLuise wasn't a big delight like he has always been; he also gets into the act by speaking of porno movies and other offensive things. This movie tries its darndest to make it succeed, but it ends up firing loose blanks long before it's all over.
Could have been decent entertainment, if it didn't take itself so damn seriously
posted on 05 May 2005I usually find Dan Aykroyd to be good in comedies, and I'm rarely disappointed by Gene Hackman, whatever the movie. So, when I hear about them in a movie together, I naturally want to check it out. Even if it's rated low here on IMDb. Well, this is one of the times where I wish I hadn't been so curious... or at least that I took the advice of one of the many reviewers on this site, and didn't watch it. Fortunately, I had been prepared that it wasn't going to be particularly good, so I didn't pay that much attention to it. Whenever I did look at the screen or even listen to the audio, I felt sorry. Sorry for Aykroyd, sorry for Hackman, sorry for anyone else who has even a tiny bit of talent and yet worked on this movie(one person I'm not feeling sorry for is director Bob Clark, who doesn't seem to have crapped out one single half-decent semi-quality film in his entire career, despite how lengthy it is). The plot is ridiculous. The pacing is poor. The acting isn't even slightly impressive. The characters are clichés and stereotypes. The humor is all crude innuendos and people swearing. How is that funny? Oh, and of course there's Aykroyd's characters multiple personality disorder. Ah yes. Lets laugh at a terrible mental disorder. And what's with how serious the film tries to be, at times? It might have been slightly entertaining, if it didn't take itself so seriously. All in all, just a terrible failure on every conceivable level. I recommend this only to hardcore fans of Hackman and Aykroyd. Everyone else should do themselves a huge favor and skip this. There are plenty of other films with the two actors, and most of them are far better. 1/10
No Oscar for Dom DeLuise (again)
posted on 30 Nov 2004Loose Cannons is a horrible combination of detective thriller and black comedy. Hackman and Aykroyd are wasted (and probably eternally incompatible) talents in a movie that should never have been made. A detective doing cartoon character impersonations join Mossad agents in a chase after a Nazi porn film showing Hitler committing suicide. The plot has all the makings of an Austin Powers spoof - a possibility that is sadly never explored in a film taking itself much, much too seriously.
Late Saturday night I enjoyed it. A lot!
posted on 12 Nov 2004This is comedy! Sometimes people are offended by stuff like this, but really! How could anybody be offended by silliness like this? Some reviewers found Akroyds "personalities" offensive. I found them amusing as they, of course, should not be taken seriously. It's slapstick, not Ingmar Bergman! The movie was well paced, and reasonably suspenseful as such a movie that tries to follow in the footsteps of movies like "48 hours" should be.There's one thing I dislike about this movie, however, and that's Dom DeLouise. He tries his best to ruin this movie, as he tries to ruin every other movie I have ever seen him in. That man simply cannot act! It makes you wonder why he's in so many movies. Does anybody know?Based on the other reviews I almost didn't watch this, but once again it shows that what's comedy for someone is not necessarily comedy for everyone.I enjoyed it a lot this late evening, and will probably watch it again, and give it a solid 8.Possibly because I was positively surprised after reading the other reviews...
Best Laugh Ever
posted on 04 Sep 2004Let me tell you that i haven't had such a good laugh in ages. I saw this film last night for the first time and it was hilarious from start to finish. Paring up Dan akroyd and Gene hackman i think is one of the best team up in film I've actually scene, to the jokes,the action and the actual characters themselves. Having the plot about the Germans and having it set in Washington was pretty stupid i have to admit but it was all part how the story came together. Both the lead stars you rarely see these days due to idiots like eg(jack black,will Farrel) taking all the air time. This is the sort of comedy that the younger generation of today should be watching instead of the crap thats out these days. Well im glad these old films like this still exist.
Hackman and Akroyd are both just great here...
posted on 20 Feb 2004I don't know if this film actually deserves five stars, but as for me, I think it does purely for comedic value. Akroyd shows that he was definitely the "pre-Jim Carrey." Hackman has always had a knack for comedy, and certainly does not disappoint. Together, they are totally crazy and, with the addition of Dom DeLouise (hope I spelled that right) makes this an excellent combination of suspense and comedy. Well worth the price!
The Worst Movie I've Ever Seen
posted on 16 Apr 2003I love Gene Hackman. I love Dan Aykroyd. Sometimes I even love Dom DeLouise. But I still think this is the worst movie I have ever seen. First of all it's offense to Schizophrenics, second of all it's offensive to people who like good movies. I saw this movie years ago, and it still stands in my mind as the worst movie I've ever seen. Soft-core porn has better acting/writing/directing. If it was an action movie, where was the action? If it was a comedy, where were the jokes? I can tell you that this film is certainly a tragedy.
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Loose Cannons
posted on 09 May 2009Whenever I need to relax and watch something very funny this is the first DVD movie I pop in. Dan is great in just about every movie he appears.