Search - The Hard Way on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Violence, Adult Situations, Not For Children, Adult Language, Profanity Movie Release: 1991 DVD Release: 11/17/1998 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV - Closed Captioned Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: Spanish SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 1 hrs 51 mins Studio: Universal Studios Members Wishing: 2 Genres: Action, Comedy, Action Comedy, Chase Movie, Detective Film, Buddy Film, Police Comedy

Action film director John Badham bites the hand that feeds him in this action movie spoof that features ribbing of pretty-boy Hollywood action stars by Michael J. Fox and a parody of colorful, hair-trigger James Woods types by the man himself. Woods plays New York homicide detective John Moss, who is within an inch of closing in on a serial killer who calls himself The Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because his specialty is shooting his victims in the middle of discos. Chasing The Party Crasher after his latest victim has been dispatched, Moss finds himself hanging onto the door of a speeding truck with The Party Crasher at the wheel. When Moss is thrown off the truck and nearly killed, The Party Crasher escapes, and Moss is taken off the case. Moss is given a new assignment --to tag around with Hollywood action film star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox), the popular hero of the "Smoking Gun" movies. Lang spotted Moss on a television news show and thinks he would be the ideal cop to study for adding authenticity to an up-coming police action picture. Posing as Moss's rookie partner, Lang follows Moss everywhere, proceeding to spoil his pursuit of The Party Crasher and interfering with Moss's burgeoning affair with his girlfriend Susan (Anabella Sciorra). ~ Paul Brenner, All Movie Guide

Michael J. Fox - Nick Lang
James Woods - John Moss
Annabella Sciorra - Susan
LL Cool J - Billy
Penny Marshall - Angie
John Capodice - Grainy

Michael J. Fox and James Woods star in the action-comedy The Hard Way. Universal has done a nice job of making sure this 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer is clear of any intrusive defects or imperfections. Besides the smallest amount of edge enhancement, this image appears to feature solid black levels and bright color patterns. The soundtrack is presented in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround in English. The audio mix on this disc is excellent with fervent use of both the front and rear speakers, making The Hard Way a great movie when complimented by a home theater system. All aspects of the soundtrack are free and clear of any excessive hiss or distortion. Also included on this disc are English and Spanish subtitles. While The Hard Way isn't jam packed with extras, the disc does include a few well-produced supplements. Included on this DVD is a short "Making Of" featurette which sports a few standard interviews with the cast and crew, a music video for the song "Mama Said Knock You Out" by LL Cool J, some thin production notes, cast and crew info, and a theatrical trailer for the film. ~ Patrick Naugle, All Movie Guide