lanative Reviews

K-9000 (1990 TV Movie)

Back to the 80's

[4 May 2008]

This film is just plain weird, but then again most TV movies of the 80's were (for the record, this was done in 1989, not 1991). It's almost like Lethal Weapon meets Miami Vice.

From the opening shootout/chase sequence in Hollywood (gotta love how they run over a Beverly Hills sign in the hood), you know you're going to see something strange. The two cops look EXACTLY like Riggs and Murtaugh from Lethal Weapon! Add to it the Jan Hammer soundtrack (he did Miami Vice too) and a script by writer/producer Steven de Souza (Commando, Running Man, Die Hard) and you have the quintessential 80's crime flick.

There are some elements of comedy, but those tend to be overshadowed by the somewhat violent content (for TV standards 20yrs ago). For the most part, this is almost a cult film.

While out of print on VHS and DVD, you can catch it on TV or Pay Cable (it was on Encore the other day) and worth a watch, just for nostalgia purposes.

Born in East L.A. (1987)

Like it now more as an adult.

[4 January 2007]

As a kid, I didn't like it probably because he wasn't with Chong getting stoned all the time. But having just watched it as a standalone piece, I found it quite bittersweet and enjoyable. Sure the story was a bit predictable but the movie did have a decent flow and never seemed to bore. The acting was pretty decent and there were plenty of laughs (again it's not slapstick stoner humor) Also keeping in mind that Chong usually directed their films, Cheech did a good job first time out. I think we'd all like to see them reunite, but lets just appreciate the material they've left us and leave it at that. So if you want to see Cheech branch out on his own, I'd suggest checking this out.