Sudden Death (1995)

Director:

Peter Hyams

Writers (WGA):

Karen Elise Baldwin (story)
Gene Quintano (screenplay)

Release Date:

22 December 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

Terror goes into over-time.

Plot:

A disgraced former fireman takes on a group of terrorists holding the Vice President and others hostage during the seventh game of the NHL Stanley Cup finals.

Plot Keywords:

Vice President | Hostage | Explosive | Hockey | Fireman

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Darren McCord
Powers Boothe	...	Joshua Foss
Raymond J. Barry	...	Vice President
Whittni Wright	...	Emily McCord
Ross Malinger	...	Tyler
Dorian Harewood	...	Hallmark
Kate McNeil	...	Kathi
Michael Gaston	...	Hickey
Audra Lindley	...	Mrs. Ferrara
Brian Delate	...	Blair
Steve Aronson	...	Dooley
Michael R. Aubele	...	Ace
Karen Elise Baldwin	...	TV Director
Jennifer D. Bowser	...	Joan
Pat Brisson	...	Player #2

MPAA:

Rated R for a substantial amount of strong violence, and for language.

Runtime:

110 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS

Certification:

Brazil:16 | Argentina:16 | Iceland:16 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:PG-13 | Netherlands:12 (TV version) | Australia:MA | Denmark:16 | Finland:K-18 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | New Zealand:R18 | Norway:18 | Portugal:M/16 | Singapore:NC-16 | Spain:18 | Sweden:15 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company:

Universal Pictures

Trivia:

The announcer used in the movie is actually the Pittsburgh Penguins' real announcer Mike Lange. He also uses some of his trademark sayings such as "Scratch my back with a hacksaw" and "Call Arnold Slick in Turtle Crick". The color commentator is also the current Penguins radio play by play man, Paul Steigerwald.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): The announcer states the last time the Chicago Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup was in 1960 but the last time they won it was in 1961.

Quotes:

Play-by-Play Announcer: It's so loud in here, I can barely hear myself think.
Color Commentator: You don't have to think, Mike. It's hockey.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Hot Fuzz (2007)

Soundtrack:

Arena Themes

Review of Sudden Death

OK, let's be straight forward. This is not Oscar material. It's a typical hostage movie similar to the Die Hard series. There are some pretty decent action sequences and some that just don't plain make any sense and, after you see them, you will be left kinda confused. Having said that, this is a good movie. The best part about this movie is, surprisingly, the bad guy. Powers Boothe plays the lead terrorist and he plays it well. At times you root for him because he plays the part so well. Unfortunately, it's hard to root against this guy because of his wise-ass attitude, but some of his quotes are memorable and quite amusing. (Example: To the vice president "I voted for you. I really did. It's your sincerity and compassion. However there may be a need to kill someone else. Now we're gonna make this work or we're gonna die trying!") This is a typical Van Damme film except in this one he plays a little hockey. This movie, albeit a bit done-before, is surrounded by an entertaining cast that propels this from a 5 to a 7.