Search - Shoot to Kill on DVD

Michel D. (michelann) from WALNUT GROVE, MO
Reviewed on 8/10/2017...

Another nail biter that includes a stellar cast, top directing, and excellent writing! Sidney Poitier is in top form, as always, as an FBI agent hot on the trail of a murderer with Tom Berenger assisting as a scout who knows the rugged Pacific Northwest as no cityfied FBI agent could. Harrowing and fun this movie is well worth "sweating it out" over.

RIVETING ACTION ADVENTURE IN THE WILDERNESS

Shashank Tripathi | Gadabout | 04/24/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A rare action movie that manages to rise above its formula, Shoot to Kill delivers mystery, exciting action, and beautiful cinematography.Tom Berenger has done many action/thriller movies, but Sidney Poitier steps out for a change of pace in this movie. Its formula is "double-fish-out-of-water buddy picture", and it stays pretty close to the formula throughout the movie. Poitier plays an FBI agent who blew an arrest and wound up with a dead civilian, and has tracked the (unseen) thief/killer into the Pacific Northwest. Berenger plays a tracker, whose girlfriend runs a trail guide business. The girlfriend (Kirstie Alley in an outdoor role!) has taken her latest group of travelers out into the woods, and Poitier believes that the killer is among them. If that's not bad enough, a deadly storm looks like it's coming on.The real fun in this movie is in the first half, where you see all of the men in Kirstie Alley's group. All of them are recognizable character actors, and most of them have played villains in other movies before. So which one of them is the killer? I guessed wrong the first time.Unfortunately, this gets revealed about halfway through, and the movie returns to the formula. However, the excellent performances and lush cinematography elevate it beyond the norm. I thought Poitier did a great job as the city-based FBI agent, and Alley was surprisingly good as the trail guide.Definitely worth a watch. Or two."

Fine escapism with excellent performances to boot!

Reginald D. Garrard | Camilla, GA USA | 11/01/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Poitier may have been in his 60's when he made this one but his physical prowess was equal to those much younger. In one of his few stabs at "action" drama, he is believably good as a city-dwelling FBI agent that is thrust into a wilderness trek in pursuit of a killer. Berenger also fares well as Poitier's antithesis, a rugged outdoorsman that assists the agent in his quest. Kirstie Alley is also on hand as the unknown-to-her "damsel in distress".However, it's Clancy Brown that is fittingly creepy as one of the members of the hunting party led by Alley. His deep and resonant voice sends shudders up one's spine. It's no wonder that he is one of the most sought after voiceover talents around (supplying the voice for Lex Luthor on the most recent Superman/Justice League incarnations, just to name one).The scenery is stunning and the action is first-rate in this overlooked thriller."

Sleeper in Seatle

C. A. Luster | Burke, VA USA | 02/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A man holds a diamond merchants wife hostage for diamonds. When the FBI finds out they send Sidney Poitier to negotiate for the release. Things go very wrong and the merchants wife and maid are killed. The killer tries to escape to Canada by killing a fisherman headed for a guided tour in the mountains of Vancouver, British Columbia. Poitier enlists the service of Tom Berenger to track the murderer who has now taken his girlfriend hostage. Thrilling and funny this movie is one of the best I have seen. Poitier and Berenger are great as bickering old FBI city smart agent and young headstrong mountain guide. If you like either of these actors you will probably love this movie. Any fans of Poitier will love this movie. Far more exciting than "In the Heat of the Night". If you enjoyed the remake of "The Jackal" with Sidney you will love it. Those Berneger fans should love it as well. Not as gory as "Platoon" or "Sniper" it still has some scenes that will have some closing their eyes.

Many people I ask have not seen this movie, and I recommend it to them. The movie takes place mainly in Washington state. It has beautiful scenery especially near Pugent Sound. The musical score is well done, and the acting is superb. Sidney Poitier as the aging FBI agent from the city and Tom Berenger as the young rugged outdoorsmen work great together with there constant bickering. Their mutual appreciation for one another slowly grows until they admire one another. Sidney saves Tom from a bear in a way that will have you laughing. Tom saves Sidney from the cold in a way that will have you wondering about what he means about mountain men with a chuckle. Good direction from Roger Spottiswoode. Sidney was 61 at the time this was filmed and he turns in one of his better performances. Kirstie Alley as Tom's girlfriend does a great job as a kidnapped guide. The whole movie keeps you guessing for some time as to the bad guys identity. Nice performances by the guided group. Many recognizable faces that have played bad guys, now all but one are just average guys. This is by far one of my favorite Action/Adventure/Mystery movies that I watch at least twice a year. Even my wife, who doesn't normally like this type movie, finds this one entertaining. Mostly because of the comradery that develops between Poitier and Berenger. I can't wait till this comes out on DVD. I have pre-ordered it and November 11th, 2003 can't get here soon enough. Now that Touchstone postponed the release I have re-ordered it ... ."