I was 13 when I first saw this film and it was the experience of a lifetime. More than a decade later, I no longer think of this film as high as before, but the 13-year-old in me still loves this.
"Judgement Night" is directed by Stephen Hopkins and stars Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr, Stephen Dorff, Denis Leary and Jeremy Piven. It was a surprise to see them pull off good performances in such a gritty film. I didn't know Jeremy Piven at the time and I was not disappointed in his performance.
Family man Frank Wyatt (Estevez) and his younger brother John (Dorff) head to a boxing match in Chicago's city with their pals Mike (Gooding Jr) and Ray (Piven), in Ray's rented RV. Stuck in heavy traffic, Ray takes a short cut and they wind up in the ghetto. When they witness murderer, Fallon (Leary), kill a henchman, the four friends evade Fallon and his goons and fight back when things get tough. This general story remains one of my favourites ever.
In a thirteen-year-old's eyes, "Judgement Night" is outstanding. In an older person's eyes, it is much easier to see the flaws that make you realize this is not a great film. It literally all came down to the writing. If this was remade, it may be better. But this movie is very 90s, so that vibe raises the quality a good amount.
But as it said, the teenager in me still adores this. Four stars for the teenager, three for actuality.
3.5/4.
"Judgement Night" is directed by Stephen Hopkins and stars Emilio Estevez, Cuba Gooding Jr, Stephen Dorff, Denis Leary and Jeremy Piven. It was a surprise to see them pull off good performances in such a gritty film. I didn't know Jeremy Piven at the time and I was not disappointed in his performance.
Family man Frank Wyatt (Estevez) and his younger brother John (Dorff) head to a boxing match in Chicago's city with their pals Mike (Gooding Jr) and Ray (Piven), in Ray's rented RV. Stuck in heavy traffic, Ray takes a short cut and they wind up in the ghetto. When they witness murderer, Fallon (Leary), kill a henchman, the four friends evade Fallon and his goons and fight back when things get tough. This general story remains one of my favourites ever.
In a thirteen-year-old's eyes, "Judgement Night" is outstanding. In an older person's eyes, it is much easier to see the flaws that make you realize this is not a great film. It literally all came down to the writing. If this was remade, it may be better. But this movie is very 90s, so that vibe raises the quality a good amount.
But as it said, the teenager in me still adores this. Four stars for the teenager, three for actuality.
3.5/4.