We were scanning my watch list for something we could all agree on and when we got to High Risk, I warned my dad and brother, "oh, this is just another one of those B movies I like. We can watch something else". But, they were curious how actors like Anthony Quinn, James Brolin, Lindsey Wagner, James Coburn, the guy from Blazing Saddles and Ernest Borgnine could possibly be in a B movie or otherwise train wreck of a film.
We kept waiting for it to really screw up and reveal it's amateur chops but it never did (though occasionally it treads close). It's a fun story, well shot, well-edited and the cast puts in great work. The characters are very far from throwaway or stand-ins, unlike most formulaic action comedies of today.
There's a gimmick involving a pet dog with a bow in its hair, probably the film's goofiest flaw, but what film in the '80s didn't have gimmicks like that and far worse? Thankfully, the dog's role is minimal and entirely forgivable.
Despite the film's simple premise of four average guys trying to make a big score, they actually feel like good friends and lifelong buddies. The camaraderie feels genuine and oh-so 70s/80s. Those friendships are put to the test because there are some violent moments of real danger and violence.
According to one source, the distributor of High Risk went broke during the film's release, and as a result it wasn't shown in many theaters. That's certainly one reason I can see this film not doing better than it did. Another reviewer said it deserves some cult revival love and I absolutely agree.
At the same time, it has moments that are comedic, almost slapstick, and others that are quite dark, and the dark, violent scenes aren't played with endless one-liners or levity as you might expect. A friend is shot and seemingly left behind. Another is in shock when he sees what one of his best friends is capable of and how far he's willing to go - but I can't say more without spoilers. The transitions never feel jarring or out of place, but it might have confused movie-goers as to how to take the film.
Others have covered the film well, and I offer this review mainly for the reason of balance. This is 6 or 7 out of 10 viewed on its merits and absent nostalgia. It's no 10/10 hidden gem, but it definitely punches well above it's current (perplexing) 5.6 star rating.
We kept waiting for it to really screw up and reveal it's amateur chops but it never did (though occasionally it treads close). It's a fun story, well shot, well-edited and the cast puts in great work. The characters are very far from throwaway or stand-ins, unlike most formulaic action comedies of today.
There's a gimmick involving a pet dog with a bow in its hair, probably the film's goofiest flaw, but what film in the '80s didn't have gimmicks like that and far worse? Thankfully, the dog's role is minimal and entirely forgivable.
Despite the film's simple premise of four average guys trying to make a big score, they actually feel like good friends and lifelong buddies. The camaraderie feels genuine and oh-so 70s/80s. Those friendships are put to the test because there are some violent moments of real danger and violence.
According to one source, the distributor of High Risk went broke during the film's release, and as a result it wasn't shown in many theaters. That's certainly one reason I can see this film not doing better than it did. Another reviewer said it deserves some cult revival love and I absolutely agree.
At the same time, it has moments that are comedic, almost slapstick, and others that are quite dark, and the dark, violent scenes aren't played with endless one-liners or levity as you might expect. A friend is shot and seemingly left behind. Another is in shock when he sees what one of his best friends is capable of and how far he's willing to go - but I can't say more without spoilers. The transitions never feel jarring or out of place, but it might have confused movie-goers as to how to take the film.
Others have covered the film well, and I offer this review mainly for the reason of balance. This is 6 or 7 out of 10 viewed on its merits and absent nostalgia. It's no 10/10 hidden gem, but it definitely punches well above it's current (perplexing) 5.6 star rating.