Search - Trespass on DVD

A tense, well-crafted action film

Inspector Gadget | On the trail of Doctor Claw | 03/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A bizarre mix of creative talents went in to making this movie. Not the kind of thing that happens too often these days. A script from Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale, direction by Walter Hill and his usual gang (strong editing from Freeman Davies, cool photography from Lloyd Ahern and score by Ry Cooder), Bill Paxton and William Sadler as the 'heroes' and Ice T and Ice Cube as the bad guys. It makes for a truly original movie.Much like Judgment Night, Trespass is about two worlds colliding after bystanders witness a gangland execution. Two firemen on a treasure hunt in a huge, long abandoned East St. Louis factory. This happens to be the same territory as King James (Ice T) and his cohorts. They off some unwise punk by chucking him thru the glass roof and are pretty mortified upon discovering Bill Paxton and William Sadler are watching them. Ice T's crippled brother is taken hostage by Sadler and they seal themselves in old apartment. Several other bad guys show up and totally box them in.What follows is a succession of stand-offs and shoot outs as Paxton and Sadler fight among themselves, T and Cube argue over who should be running the show, loyalties are challenged and each group begins to split into different factions. Stuck in the crossfire is poor old Bradlee, the innocent hobo caught in the middle as his apartment is besieged.There are no clear-cut 'good guys' and 'bad guys' in Trespass. Just a bunch of guys who all came to the wrong place at the wrong time.Originally called 'Looters' and scheduled for release during Summer 1992 the release date was changed to Winter and the title changed to 'Trespass'. Why? The LA riots were happening and Universal felt that there was enough racial tension in the media already. While I agree there is deliberate racism in this film it's nowhere near as bad as the morbidly extreme racism in such recent movies like Bad Boys II.This new release by Universal is much better than the pathetic (and now OOP) release by Goodtimes. Gone is the snapper case. In its place is a sturdy keepcase and a nice bundle of extras. First of all there are some deleted scenes, a Behind the Scenes of Trespass featurette, the Ice-T/Ice Cube Trespass music video (it's the highly censored 'radio' edit) and a trailer. You should definitely get this as it's not the standard of film Hollywood studios produce these days. IE made by talented people."

Great Movie, But Get The Newer DVD Version From Universal

William B. Dwinnell IV | King of Prussia, PA | 11/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The movie is exciting and works well, but look for the newer DVD release."

"Trespass" DVD Review

Crazy Jim | Massachusetts | 08/19/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Two Arkansas firefighters come across a map that leads them to stolen treasure in an East St. Louis tenament. Only problem is that within minutes of their arrival, they become witnesses to a murder and are boxed in by a team of trigger-happy thugs (led by Ice-T's "King James") who have no idea about the gold. The premise is simple but a solid cast and suberb execution courtesy of director Walter Hill make this more than just your standard urban thriller. Paxton turns in a likeable perfomance as the more good-hearted of the two fireman while Ice-T and Ice Cube play well off each other as two gangsters with rival agendas. The new Universal version of the DVD has a collection of deleted clips, a "making-of" featurette, and a music video so those who picked up the Goodtimes version may want to look into double dipping on this one."

Doubly icy gangster treasue hunt flick

P. Dua-Brown | Harrow, London | 10/06/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A minor gem from the once superb action director, Walter Hill. The two off duty firemen, after the loot hidden in 'gangster town', are excellently portrayed by William Sadler (Die Hard2, Tales from the Crypt) and Bill Paxton (Near Dark, Twister) - both coming across as being pretty able, but totally out of their depth when guns and murder enter the fray.This is an excellent early acting role from both Ice Cube and Ice-T - if you liked New Jack City or Raising Cain, you'll love this.All the action takes place in a derelict block in a very run down area of the city - it's a little claustrophobic, but certainly adds to the feel of the 'good guys' being trapped. As the film develops, you begin to think maybe these guys ain't so good, that Ice-T ain't so bad, and that Ice Cube really is a head case. An excellent cat-and-mouse movie - DVD wise, it's anamorphic (yes!!), but only plain old surround. Basic, but a good transfer. For fans of Hill, the principal actors, or those with money to burn, it's a must buy at $14."