Name: Retro Film Review: Pure Danger (1996)
Item: Pure Danger
Rating: 15
Author: @drax

(source:tmdb.org)

In 1980s C. Thomas Howell used to be one of the most promising young Hollywood actors. 1990s, jutst like for many actors of his generation, weren't that kind to him and his career made a detour to oblivion. Howell reacted to this by trying to switch his career and make his name as a director. Judging by his 1996 thriller Pure Danger, the effort was anything but successful.

Protagonist of the film is Johnie Dean (played by C. Thomas Howell), paroled ex-convict who tries to make a living as a cook in small town diner. One day this establishment is visited by Freethrow (played by Marcus Chong), mortally wounded gangster. Before dying, Freethrow leaves pile of stolen jewels to Johnie and his co-worker Becky (played by Teri Ann Linn). Johnie and Becky haven't got much time to discuss what to do with this treasure because the diner is visited by representatives of two rival gangs - one led by De Palma (played by Michael Russo), another by Felix (played by Leon). Johnie escapes and tries to fence the jewels with the assistance of his old friend Dice (played by Rick Shapiro). Unbeknownst to Johnie, Dice owes some serious amounts of money to certain shady characters.

Script by William Applegate Jr. and Joseph John Barmetller provided Pure Danger with stereotypical, predictable and uninteresting plot. Howell did nothing to compensate for its deficiencies; Pure Danger is directed very badly, showing Howell's inexperience at any occasion and quickly destroying audience's interest for plot and characters. Acting, including Howell's, is also very disappointing, except in the case of Marcus Chong whose character leaves film prematurely. Occasionally, there is a line of interesting dialogue or a gag that can make people laugh, but they don't justify audience having to sit through hour and half of Pure Danger.

RATING: 2/10 (-)

(Note: The text in its original form was posted in Usenet newsgroup rec.arts.films.reviews on April 12th 2004)