Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Richard Dreyfuss | ... | Chris Lecce | |
Emilio Estevez | ... | Bill Reimers | |
Rosie O'Donnell | ... | Gina Garrett | |
Dennis Farina | ... | Brian O'Hara | |
Marcia Strassman | ... | Pam O'Hara | |
Cathy Moriarty | ... | Lu Delano | |
John Rubinstein | ... | Thomas Hassrick | |
Miguel Ferrer | ... | Tony Castellano | |
Sharon Maughan | ... | Barbara Burnside | |
Christopher Doyle | ... | McNamara | |
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Sharon Schaffer | ... | Tilghman |
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Rick Seaman | ... | Van Agent |
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Jan Speck | ... | Van Agent |
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Gene Ellison-Jones | ... | Vegas Police Captain (as Gene Ellison) |
Frank DeAngelo | ... | Vegas Investigator |
Chris and Bill are called upon for their excellent surveillance record to stakeout a lakeside home where a Mafia trial witness is believed to be heading or already hiding. Unlike their earlier _Stakeout_, this time they are accompanied by Gina Garret from the DA's office and her pet rottweiler 'Archie'; their cover, husband and wife with son Bill. Written by Rob Hartill
Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez are back on stakeout duty, six years after the original 80's classic "Stakeout" This time though the magic is missing for what I believe is two core reasons.
The first is, this movie does not focus on the natural chemistry between Dreyfuss and Estevez that made the first movie so enjoyable. instead they are teamed up with Rosie O'Donnell. The introduction of Joe Pesci in "Lethal Weapon 2" was great because he thereby became the Third Stooge, and the trio worked well. Unfortunately Estevez is pretty much relegated to supporting character and it becomes the Dreyfuss & O'Donnell show. I'm not saying it is O'Donnell's fault she is OK, and does the best with what she has.
I mention "Lethal Weapon" because the first movie in that franchise was released the same year as "Stakeout" and it's sequel followed two years later. If this movie was made two years after the original, we would have gotten a movie more in tone with the gritty at times, yet funny original. As it is we get a watered down PG version. And that I believe is the second problem.
The first movie had violence, language, nudity, and humour. This has O'Donnell and her naughty dog chasing cats. I'm not saying a movie has to be rated R to be funny. But if you've got a sequel to a classic buddy cop movie coming six years later, you need to get it right. Sadly they don't. If they went down the "Lethal Weapon" route (They dumbed down the third one, but not to this extent) I believe Stakeout could have been a Franchise, unfortunately we, got a great 80's movie, and a disappointing sequel.
If it's on TV on an lazy afternoon, it's worth a watch, but that's about it.