Customer Reviews

Deadly Impact

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I don't want to write anything that will spoil this fine feature for movie-goers, so I'll keep it as generic as I can: If you are a fan of action/suspense movies like The Bourne Identity, Die Hard, or Lethal Weapon, grab some popcorn and watch Robert Kurtzman's DEADLY IMPACT. Pitted against a criminal mastermind (Joe Pantoliano) are a psychologically wounded cop (Sean Patrick Flanery) and a fiery Latina FBI Agent (Carmen Serano). If you like fast, well-choreographed, visually stimulating action movies, Deadly Impact really delivers. Veteran horror film-maker Kurtzman knows how to get the most from his actors, and Flanery, Serano, and Pantoliano prove this as Kurtzman jumps into the action/suspense world in a very big way, making Alexander Vesha's story a movie-screen roller-coaster you won't want to miss.

There's nothing much wrong with 2010s "Deadly Impact", but there's nothing much right with it either. This type of "mad bomber vs. tough cop" was covered in several films, the best including "Ticker" (2001) with Dennis Hopper as the mad bomber and Steven Segal as his bomb squad nemesis, and "Blown Away" (1994) with Tommy Lee Jones as the mad bomber and Jeff Bridges as his nemesis.

So why remake this type of film? Especially if you're going to cast Sean Patrick Flanery as the cop and Joe Pantoliano as the mad bomber. Pantoliano does a pretty good job, but he's not equal to Hopper or Jones, and Flanery is an even weaker link here. The only real treat is Carmen Serano who plays an FBI agent.

Don't get me wrong. I think Joe Pantoliano is an excellent character actor. He's given memorable performances in "The Sopranos", "The Matrix", "Midnight Run" and others, but his strength is in the character role, not as the leading villain.

Another problem with the film is the lagging direction from Robert Kurtzman. Kurtzman is a distinguished makeup and special effects man who transitioned to producing and directing. This was his 5th film, following "The Rage" (2007), "Buried Alive" (2007), "Wishmaster" (1997), and "The Demolitionist" (1995). Unfortunately the film drags, which is a real problem for an action thriller that already has several good films out there with nearly identical plots.

BTW - the makeup and special effects, especially Pantoliano's makeup and many disguises are quite good, as one might expect given Kurtzman's background.

Another problem comes with the script. There are several flaws, the most noteworthy coming at the very beginning of the film when Pantoliano instructs Flanery to turn out the lights and then fire a rifle, telling him that Pantoliano's cameras are equipped with night sensitive lenses. That may be true, but Flanery is being required to make a very difficult shot, and neither he nor his rifle are equipped with night vision, so once the lights are turned out, he is "in the dark", yet he makes this very difficult shot.

Bottom line - an OK B film, but there are far better out there with similar plots.

Find a spot at the edge of your seat and get comfortable. "Deadly Impact" will have your stomach in knots within the first 10 minutes.

After mastermind assassin David Kaplow (Joe Pantoliano) proves the strength of his capabilities early on, there's little time to ask why, but rather when.


This highly suspenseful film is so captivating, the smallest disturbance will have you jumping.


Realistic but horrifying scenarios are so mind-boggling, audience members are left wondering how anyone could make the decisions police officer Tom Armstrong (Sean Patrick Flanery) faces, and survive.


Intense, non-stop action, a splash of romance and equipped with a satisfying ending, "Deadly Impact" is a flick for thrill seekers.


Written by Columbus native Alexander Vesha and directed by Robert Kurtzman of Precinct 13 Entertainment in Crestline, "Deadly Impact" makes the perfect flick for thrill seekers.

This is a great cat and mouse movie. Sean Patrick Flanery is brilliant as the detective hot on the trail of a serial bomber. Full of action from start to finish this movie keeps you on the edge of your seat.

This movie is defiantly worth checking out. Flannery and Pantoliaon work well together. Suspense through the whole movie, and a killer ending.

Calling this a B movie would be a disservice to B movies everywhere.
Very disappointing.