Marshal Law (1996)

In the hills not far from Los Angeles, a new, fresh, secure housing area has been built by former U.S. Marshal Jack Coleman and a friend. An escaped convict, Cougar and a band of ten ... See full summary »

Director:

Stephen Cornwell

Writers:

Nick Gregory, Stephen Cornwell

Stars:

Jimmy Smits, James Le Gros, Kristy Swanson

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jimmy Smits	...	Jack Coleman
James Le Gros	...	Cougar (as James LeGros)
Kristy Swanson	...	Lilly Nelson
Vonte Sweet	...	Weathers the Pizza Boy
Scott Plank	...	Randall Nelson
Channon Roe	...	Skin
Michael Cavalieri	...	Botero
Rodney Rowland	...	Butchie
Tai Thai	...	Ho
Camilla Belle	...	Boot Coleman
Hunter Bodine	...	V.J.
Tricia Vessey	...	Mama Doc
Kevin Breznahan	...	Vinnie
Billy Burke	...	Monk
Randall Slavin	...	Willie D

Storyline

In the hills not far from Los Angeles, a new, fresh, secure housing area has been built by former U.S. Marshal Jack Coleman and a friend. An escaped convict, Cougar and a band of ten psychopaths invade this safe area after a violent earthquake. With aid of a pizza delivery boy, he must defend his family and his friends wife Lilly, and declares Marshal Law.

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Plot Keywords:

marshal | psychopath | cougar | pizza delivery boy | earthquake | 

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Taglines:

Justice has a name.

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and language, and for some sexuality and drug use

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 December 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

After Shock

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Marazion, Showtime Networks

Technical Specs

Runtime:

96 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Goofs

When the bad guys take Randall's car to chase his girl friend, the key is already in the car. But drunk Randall had just taken the keys so that his friend Jack and the others couldn't escape.

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Connections

References First Blood (1982)

User Reviews

I like it, v1.00

I found the DVD to be difficult to obtain, then it appeared at an Amazon outlet for a few months. Which does not mean that other titles will emerge someday, but maybe one or two.

This did allow me to actually see it rather than just read the reviews. Most reviews are poor, but not all. If this is really 'straight to video' then I should expect it to be weak.

I found it okay. Some aspects are weak. Sexual aspects seem tamed down a lot in order to get a censorship rating. Except that it is still rated 18, UK, and R, USA. The violence is middling strong.

So, to me it is a fun action story. I prefer it to some action movies that did make the big screen and a wider than 4x3 DVD release.

I liked the location, the hills above LA. There are other features that are partly set there and this is one of those that is good armchair tourism, to me.

From other reviews, this appears to be a remake of a Canadian feature called Blackout. Not uncommon for respected features to get the remake treatment. A respectable practice. I do not object to maybe being in a minority that likes this particular result.

The mood of the story, in some ways this reminds me of Griffin Dunne, a director who has a good way of dealing with actors and manages to draw out good performances from them.