Search - Ed McBain's 87th Precinct on DVD

K. K. (GAMER)
Reviewed on 9/6/2023...

If you like slow burn cop and robber shows, then this

2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.

TIRED COPS

Michael Butts | Martinsburg, WV USA | 05/23/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"When you have a movie where you know the identity of the killer, you HAVE to make the story move so you don't lose interest. Unfortunately, in 8TH PRECINCT (based on Ed McBain's "Lightning") fails to provide the chills and suspense necessary when you already nowhodunit!!!! And by the end of the movie, the killer's motive is so predictable, it's almost laughable!!!
In trying to capture the "grittiness" of McBain's popular series, director Bruce Paltrow only manages to give us lifeless acting, no true suspenseful scenes, and an embarrassing romantic entanglement for Randy Quaid and deaf mute Deanne Brey. Randy is not as apt at this type of role as those in which he is allowed to release his inhibitions and chew up the scenery. Alex MacArthur as his partner who finds out his wife is cheating on him is also flaccid and uninteresting.
Good plot, weak script, poor acting, Ed deserves better than this."