Final Move

Let's be honest here: Final Move is a direct-to-DVD film. Worse, one of its stars is a former high fashion model (and an ex-Mrs. Rod Stewart to boot). These are not things that, in my mind, bode particularly well (if you've seen Cindy Crawford engage in what can only loosely be called acting, you know what I mean). But I liked the description I received of this film and decided to give it a try. And you know what? I was pleasantly surprised.

Dan Marlowe (Matt Schulze) is a former cop so emotionally brutalized by a case involving a chess-obsessed serial killer that he has a breakdown from which is only now recovering.When Detective Krieg (Lochlyn Munro) is called to a murder scene in Los Angeles, however, he believes he has little choice but to get in touch with his former partner. The murder it seems, bears all of the hallmarks of a serial killer the two thought they'd caught — and who has, in fact, just been executed.

Along with the FBI agent the pair worked with on the previous case (Iris Quarrie, played by Rachel Hunter), the two work frantically to catch the killer. At the same time, they all worry that there's some small chance that an innocent man may have died to pay for crimes he didn't commit. Marlowe has an edge, though, that could help solve the new murder sooner rather than later. But t hat same edge could also tumble him into insanity: Marlowe has psychic flashes during which he can see a murder as it's committed.

While the police engage in their manhunt and scramble to prevent another murder they're certain is to come, Marlowe must also deal with his wife's resentment of his job. Amy Marlowe (Amanda Detmer) only wants her husband to retire from the work that almost took him from her, but he can't let this case go until he both catches a killer and answers his own doubts as to the man he sent to his death.

Most of the actors in Final Move have fairly lengthy résumés, and the quality of acting in the movie is generally quite good. Schulze in particular does a fine job. The real surprise comes from Rachel Hunter who is actually okay. The supporting cast is also just fine, particularly David Carradine — a favorite of mine — as a police captain in charge of the new investigation. There are moments where Detmer, however, is wooden; a sexy turn by Lyndsay Griffin is mitigated by what appears to be nothing so much as an over-rehearsed performance. And don't even get me started on the wanna-be creepy performance that opens the movie!

I personally found the production values to be surprisingly good. The cinematography is excellent, and the sets convincing. In some instances the lighting was lacking but the truth is that I thought that added far more than it took away. Most of the make-up effects were good; an explosion series had both good and bad moments.

Director Joey Travolta made some poor editing decisions, I believe (most notably in the opening sequence) and I suspect some of the instances of poor acting must be laid at his feet as well. The script is good (though not quite as good as it could have been), but I found some substantial mistakes to be glaring: a cop with a gun handles the weapon in an entirely amateur and dangerous manner; an execution is conducted via the electric chair which California does not use.

Still, Final Move had an interesting premise and did an overall nice job in getting its story across. The bottom line here is that, with the addition of a little popcorn and a cold soda, you'll be set up for a diverting afternoon or evening if you pick up a copy of Final Move for yourself.

POLITICAL NOTES: Final Move doesn't address the issue blatantly, but it's there throughout the film: What if an innocent man was executed? It's a point well worth pondering, particularly given the number of cases in recent years in which jailed men have been released after better technology or new information showed their innocence. It's tough to go back and correct a mistake, though, if the wronged man is dead! To their credit, these cops seem to appreciate that.

FAMILY SUITABILITY: Final Move is rated R for "violence, language, and some sexual content." I believe that rating is just about right. There are moments of violence and gore that are much too much for children, and though the sexual content is included largely as comic relief, it's also a little too graphic for the youngsters. I'd reserve Final Move for those of 16 and up or so.

Yup, that's right, I joined IMDb just so I could add a comment about this movie. To anyone thinking of watching it?... RUN. take a nap, go play with your dog, go shopping, do ANYTHING but watch this! Amanda Detmer; what have you done!? She is the only one in the movie who seems to be able to act, and lowers herself considerably by being associated with this film. Lochlyn Monroe? I think I have now seen 2 or three movies he's in, one I can think of off the top of my head is Blacktop (thinking of watching it?... take the advice I have given regarding THIS movie and apply it to Blacktop) Low Budget? try NO budget. if they had one? they blew it paying Amanda. Overall, the movie has a bad and predictable script, and of the plethora of bad acting in the movie to choose from, the winner is Rachel Hunter. It's actually quite annoying, not only are her acting skills virtually non existent, but she also seems to have difficulty deciding if she has a British accent or not... sometimes she does, sometimes she doesn't. So, to sum up, this movie is horrible, so save your rental money, and more importantly, save your time and brain cells, take a nap, and thank me in the morning.

Dan Marlowe (Matt Schulze perhaps best known as a supporting player in the entertaining, but vacant "The Transporter" ) is a former cop who was so traumatized by his previous murder case that he has a nervous breakdown and loses his job. Years later, he's brought back to help on a case that's directly involved with the one all those years ago. All the abilities of the 'name' actors in this film (all two of them) David Carradine, and Daniel Baldwin are wasted in the minor roles of an under-acted police chief and a wildly overacted criminal, respectively. But perhaps I just choose to focus on those two because the rest of the film is completely mundane in every single way and full of enough clichés as to cause an unflattering sense of deja vu. Some movies just scream 'Direct to DVD release'. This is one of those that wears it on it's sleeve and definitely not in any good way. It must be so very tough to live in the shadow of a much more famous brother. But Director Joey Travolta doesn't do himself any favors by continuing to churn out movies of this 'caliber'. When the best thing on one's resume is a writing credit for a silly little action movie starring Anna Nicole Smith....well that just speaks for itself now doesn't it??

My Grade: D-

Eye Candy: Lyndsay Griffin gets topless

"Final Move" is a disappointment, especially considering the B-list cast and director. I have very low standards when it comes to flicks like these.

The plot is: The chess piece killer is at it again. After his last victim, he is caught and sentenced to death. After his execution, the killings don't stop. Which is weird for detective Marlowe (Schulze) who has psychic vision. He teams up with Roman Krieg (Lochlyn Munro) to stop the madness.

"Final Move" tries hard (too hard) to be a slick mystery-thriller. The opening credits are snazzy, but the opening scene is downright horrible: after the killer murders some woman, he takes off his mask and starts laughing for about ten minutes. You'll see.

David Carradine and Daniel Baldwin don't have a lot of screen time despite their mugs on the cover. Schulze is alright, but his best role is in "The Transporter". The explosion near the end is faker than Milli Vanilli.

If you like the actors, don't subject yourself to this mess.

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