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Michael J. Fox, James Woods, Annabella Sciorra, LL Cool J, Penny Marshall ... see more see more... , Luis Guzman , John Capodice , Mary Mara , Delroy Lindo , Conrad Roberts , Christina Ricci , Michael Badalucco , Howard "Stick" Baines , Lewis Black , Mario Bosco , George Kee Cheung , Bill Cobbs , John Costelloe , Jordanna Freedman , Frank Geraci , Jack Gindi , Karen Lynn Gorney , Bryant Gumbel , Fracaswell Hyman , Keenan Leung , Holly Kuespert , Sophie Maletsky , Anderson Matthews , Curtis L. McClarin , Dwayne McClary , Shawn McLean , Kathy Najimy , Adore O'Hara , Sharrieff Pugh , Reno , Leif Riddell , John Ring , Johnny Sanchez , Janet Sarno , Ed Setrakian , Dante Smith , Jan Speck , Anthony Thomas , Joseph Tripi , William Truesdale , Merrill Witten , Mark Woodcock , Michael Jeffrey Woods , David Sosna , Bonnie Timmermann , Stephen Lang

Action film director John Badham bites the hand that feeds him in this action movie spoof that features ribbing of pretty-boy Hollywood action stars by Michael J. Fox and a parody of colorful, hair-tr... read more read more...igger James Woods types by the man himself. Woods plays New York homicide detective John Moss, who is within an inch of closing in on a serial killer who calls himself The Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because his specialty is shooting his victims in the middle of discos. Chasing The Party Crasher after his latest victim has been dispatched, Moss finds himself hanging onto the door of a speeding truck with The Party Crasher at the wheel. When Moss is thrown off the truck and nearly killed, The Party Crasher escapes, and Moss is taken off the case. Moss is given a new assignment --to tag around with Hollywood action film star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox), the popular hero of the "Smoking Gun" movies. Lang spotted Moss on a television news show and thinks he would be the ideal cop to study for adding authenticity to an up-coming police action picture. Posing as Moss's rookie partner, Lang follows Moss everywhere, proceeding to spoil his pursuit of The Party Crasher and interfering with Moss's burgeoning affair with his girlfriend Susan (Anabella Sciorra). ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Flixster Users

48% liked it

10,748 ratings

Critics

74% liked it

19 critics

R, 2 hr.

Directed by: John Badham

Release Date: June 1, 1991

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DVD Release Date: November 17, 1998

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Stats: 359 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (359)

  • kenstachnik
    September 29, 2011
    kenstachnik
    While it's nothing revolutionary, The Hard Way does what it does well. It's your fairly typical buddy cop film but with some nice moments and surprises in the first hour and change. The climax is a little cliche-tastic, but delivers some fun action.
  • superclerk25
    May 8, 2008
    superclerk25
    Funny action flivk. James Woods is great in this one.
  • YLOWBSTARDreturns
    September 9, 2007
    YLOWBSTARDreturns
    One of my favorite buddy/comedies ever made.
  • Deano78
    May 31, 2007
    Deano78
    Seen this on TV a few times and always forgot the name. An enjoyable film about a big method acting star who teams up with a tough cop to prepare for his new role and ends up in danger!
  • garyX
    March 8, 2007
    garyX
    This buddy cop movie is exactly the kind of cliched formulaic nonsense parodied by Last Action Hero. Woods as the usual tightly wound workaholic cop and Fox as the pampered Hollywood film star who inevitably teaches him life lessons are watchable enough, but it's nothing we haven... read more't seen a hundred times before.
  • sanjurosamurai
    January 22, 2007
    sanjurosamurai
    i remember this being good, been a while though
  • deano
    November 20, 2006
    deano
    Exciting comedy thriller with plenty of laughs on LA actor and New York cop.
  • Godless
    March 15, 2006
    Godless
    Good only because I know James Woods erections gives me a head rush.
  • jim222001us
    March 18, 2009
    jim222001us
    Michael J. Fox plays an actor who teams up with a cop (James Woods) for research for an upcoming role. The movie is supposed to be a Lethal Weapon type of action thriller, it's hard to take it seriously though. Especially when Fox goes for laughs even through what's supposed to b... read moree serious action scenes.

    The movie still works as a comedy though and it's hard not to like it due to the fun performances by Fox and Woods. The Hard Way is basically just an entertaining bad movie.
  • mingsysar
    March 10, 2009
    mingsysar
    James Woods and Michael J. Fox? Shouldn't work but it does, and in spectacular fashion. I absolutely adore this film.

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Critic Reviews

Brian Webster
May 15, 2007
Brian Webster, Apollo Guide

Along with some good laughs, there's also a bit of effective tension. Full Review

Chuck O'Leary
March 4, 2006
Chuck O'Leary, FulvueDrive-in.com

An underrated buddy flick with an original twist and some outstanding stunt work.

Clint Morris
February 7, 2006
Clint Morris, Film Threat

Fox and Woods let off some good sparks in a vivacious, witty and fast romp

Rob Vaux
December 9, 2005
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium

Utterly unremarkable, but harmless and not without its charms.

Chuck Rudolph
September 3, 2002
Chuck Rudolph, Matinee Magazine

An amusing diversion, with Woods and Fox perfectly cast.

Scott Weinberg
July 26, 2002
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com

Surprisingly likable buddy action-comedy, thanks in no small part to James Woods and Michael J. Fox.

Owen Gleiberman
September 7, 2011
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly

Click to read the article Full Review

March 26, 2009
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Vincent Canby
August 30, 2004
Vincent Canby, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Hard Way Trivia

  • SAME NAME: Adrien Brody in King Kong Adrien Brody in The Jacket Adrien Brody in Love the Hard Way  Answer »
  • which actor played a cop along side michael j fox in the hard way  Answer »
  • "I wanted this to be professional. Efficient, adroit, cooperative, not a lot to ask. Alas, your Mr. Takagi did not see it that way, so he won't be joining us for the rest of his life." This has to be the best bad guy line by the best bad guy. what movie is it from  Answer »
  • Michael J. Fox, James Woods and the 'Party Crasher'? Name that film ladies and gentlemen.  Answer »
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