Customer Reviews

Cutaway

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I will admit that the first time I viewed this film I did not like it. As an active skydiver I could point out many flaws. The plot is quite unrealistic and for some, the professional sport of skydiving is once again not put in a good light. But once I stepped back, took off the serious glasses and put on the fun pair I actually enjoyed it. US Customs Agent Vic Cooper (Stephen Baldwin) finds himself in the world of competition skydiving while in pursuit of narcotraffickers in the Miami area. In order to enjoy the film, do not watch it for the following reasons:
1. An accurate depiction of US Customs counter-narcotics procedures.
2. An accurate portrayal of USPA group member drop zones and operational procedures.
3. An accurate portrayal of the attitude of the US Army Golden Knights (Parachute Team). Referring to the stereotypical arrogance and machismo.
4. That Stephen Baldwin "can really" win in a fight against Dennis Rodman (Turbo).
Do watch it for the following reasons:
1. The cinematography of the jump scenes is well done.
2. The music score is good and with the jump scenes add to the excitement.
3. An overall "cops and robbers" how did they do it plot.
So just "cutaway" with the serious critique. Its not gonna win best picture. Just have fun with it.

I will admit that the first time I viewed this film I did not like it. As an active skydiver I could point out many flaws. The plot is quite unrealistic and for some, the professional sport of skydiving is once again not put in a good light. But once I stepped back, took off the serious glasses and put on the fun pair I actually enjoyed it. US Customs Agent Vic Cooper (Stephen Baldwin) finds himself in the world of competition skydiving while in pursuit of narcotraffickers in the Miami area. In order to enjoy the film, do not watch it for the following reasons:
1. An accurate depiction of US Customs counter-narcotics procedures.
2. An accurate portrayal of USPA group member drop zones and operational procedures.
3. An accurate portrayal of the attitude of the US Army Golden Knights (Parachute Team). Referring to the stereotypical arrogance and machismo.
4. That Stephen Baldwin "can really" win in a fight against Dennis Rodman (Turbo).
Do watch it for the following reasons:

1. The cinematography of the jump scenes is well done.
2. The music score is good and with the jump scenes add to the excitement.
3. An overall "cops and robbers" how did they do it plot.
So just "cutaway" with the serious critique. Its not gonna win best picture. Just have fun with it.

I cannot speak about the accuracy of the skydiving as depicted in this film. However, I found this film to be entertaining enough. Certainly not great, but OK. Sort of.

I don't really know anything about skydiving, and I confess, my curiosity did not burn with the intensity of a thousand suns to learn more about it. But, with that said, I still found this film to be pretty interesting. The skydiving shots were stunning, and I was pretty impressed by that aspect of this movie.

The idea of "cutaway" (whatever that means) sounded contrived. I have no idea how valid or authentic the concept of "cutting away" (severing all outside ties) is in the skydiving world, but it seemed phony and forced in this movie. I tired of hearing the characters mention "cutting away" this or that.

However, I kept watching. I did find some interest in the conflict between Stephen Baldwin's character (an undercover officer), his "boss" (Ron Silver) and the guy Baldwin is supposed to take down -- "Red Line" (played by Tom Berenger). I could see how Vic (played by Baldwin) could get caught up in the skydiving scene. It was all about teamwork, competition, and it looked pretty fun to me! And I could see why he'd enjoy working with "Red Line" (Berenger). Red Line was the best at what he did -- he was totally dedicated to skydiving and would do anything (ANYTHING) to keep the team going. I could see why Vic would be sympathetic to Red Line's motivations, even if his actions sometimes were fatally flawed.

So, the conflict between the main characters worked -- sort of. The acting was decent. I have never considered Stephen Baldwin to be that great of an actor, but he was fine. Ron Silver did well playing Baldwin's intense boss who had a somewhat oily personality. Tom Berenger was very good as the likeable and dedicated Red Line who just didn't know that there were certain lines that shouldn't be crossed. So that was interesting: the "good guy" (Silver) wasn't as likeable as the "bad guy" (Berenger). I thought this was an interesting twist in the story.

So, overall, I thought it was OK. Not *that* great, certainly not perfect, but not all *that* bad. The footage of the skydiving made up for a lot.

Let's be honest, nobody's winning an Oscar for this one. But take this movie for what it's worth. The skydiving shots are awesome, there's some good humor (some intentional, some as a direct result of awful acting and screenwriting), and all in all, it's a fun way to blow an hour and a half.

As a rookie in the skydiving world, it's entertaining to see Baldwin's learning curve. Cutaway may seem stupid and out of touch to any "wuffos," but skydivers can be assured find it a decent, although probably still kind of stupid, representation of the rush of jumping.

Having had great fortune to be jumping at skydive miami,where cutaway was filmed,i had the opertunity to actually work on the film set,working with the actors gearing them up for the scenes.Tom Berenger & steven Baldwin did infact become quite comptent skydivers,the more complex stunts were mostly performed by members of the Flyboyz display team as well as the Manos family,there were many other stunt performers as well.Because the film is made by skydivers the budget was very tight,using friends & family from the closeknit skydiving comunity as xtras .

I got this film at the library. Thank God, because it was one of the worst films I've seen in quite a while. The plot has Baldwin going undercover as a skydiver to bring down Berenger's character, who has been transporting drugs in the air. I couldn't believe that talented actors such as Berenger and Bahns didn't toss the script in the garbage. Baldwin continues on his decline as an actor. The other performers don't fare any better from Casper Von Dien's playing a GI Joe of skydivers, Ron Silver as Baldwin's boss and Dennis Rodman, too. Thomas Ian Nicholas from the American Pie movies also stars. If you MUST see Cutaway, get it for the amazing skydiving shots. Otherwise, avoid at ALL COSTS.

If you like this genre, "Cutaway" is a fun action movie with incredible skydiving stunts. I read that Tom Berenger, Maxine Bahns, and Stephen Baldwin did alot of their own stunts which is very cool. It's an entertaining story with a good cast.

This is not the greatest movie ever made, but it kept me watching. I definitely want to see it again. I'm surprised it was not in the theatres because I think it would have done well. I really love Maxine Bahns, it was cool to see her in an action movie.

If you are reading this Maxine, will you marry me?

I must say I have skydived with Guy Manos and his beautiful wife Pam and her family the Godwins. They trained me to skydive in Umatilla.
Guy has a special approach to film making. you should research it sometime. I remember when he was writing this! Given what he spent on this movie versus other film Makers. He rocks! Where is the next one?
Blueskies
Don

After looking at the scores I feel this video got a bum rap and deserved no less than a 3.5 average. The actors were good, the story flowed right, it told of real world drug smuggling methods. The roof top stuff was for "thills" and it worked even if was not likely. Buy it or rent it, you will surely enjoy this full family movie.

I'm glad that I didn't pay to see this tripe. I caught it on the late show and wish that I had read a book instead.
Guy Manos should be ashamed of himself for his involvement with this movie. The portrayal of skydivers as scum/emotionally crippled people who abandon all responsibility is rediculous. Only a small percentage actually drop out of real life. Most doctor's, lawyers, and other professionals (as well as everyday "solid citizens"), simply skydive to add to the quality of their lives: not to diminish the quality.
The tandem scenes were totally bogus. No training? Where were the drogues? And I've never met a tandem master who squealed in delight at a flat spin with a student!
The extra practice demanded by the Red Line character was a joke, too. How much good would head down manuevers do speed star belly fliers?
And yes, all women skydivers are round-heeled Twinkies, right? Guess someone ought to tell all the female champions and recordholders.
Oh, and Guy, thanks for perpetuating the '70's reputation of smuggling at FL DZ's. That's bound to help our rep and help the USPA in its long ongoing efforts to have skydiving recognized as a legitimate sport that is of the caliber to be included in the Olympic games.
Technically bogus on all counts............and a weak and predictable "plot", as well.
It's too bad that none of the cast who lurked around the 1999 U.S. Nationals at Skydive Sebastian got a clue or cared.
Glad this was a "straight to video" turkey. (They can't fly either, you know.)