Customer Reviews

Midnight Run

5 star:		(101)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

One of the funniest films ever made that still manages to hold up an engaging plot. A total winner.

It features some of the most genuinely stupid and amusing tough guys in the history of cinema, and a tantalizing slow burn by Deniro, a shortchanged ex-cop, who just wants a peaceful little coffee shop as payment for his decency and integrity. The comic chemistry between Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin is top-drawer. Surrounded on all side by ethical infants, these two characters at least know the difference between virtue and vice, and are ironically the moral backbone of the film.

Comedies that don't wallow in their humor are twice as much fun, and Midnight Run maintains a swift pace throughout. Situation-wise, it's a dynamo of action. I found the denouement to be quite moving as well, at the very least it provokes thought.

If you're looking for a comedy with depth, bite, wit and excitement, then catch Midnight Run. The DVD's spiffy special features quite simply reinforce my recommendation of purchasing this one, not just renting.

This film pairs Robert DeNiro and Charles Grodin in a Buddy/ Road film/ Action story combination that results in one of the best pairnings ever in this type of movie. Both actors are in top form and play off of each other beautifully. The supporting cast is also excellent particularly Dennis Farina who delivers a superb performance as a sleazy mob boss who has an endless supply of creative threats to use to motivate his subordinates. Yaphett Koto is also very good as frustrated FBI Inspector Alonzo Mosley. It is the combination of DeNiro and Grodin that really drives the flim and provides both it's best comedy and it's more dramatic moments. One of the best movies of this type I've ever seen. Highly recommended. There are so many memorable lines that the movie holds up to repeated viewings.

This is the story of a bounty hunter (De Niro) trying to get to LA with white collar criminal (Grodin) to collect a million dollar bounty. Unfortunately for him though, not only his bounty ann incessant pain in the ass but he's also got the mob, the Feds and another bounty hunter all trying to stop him collecting his pay check. Midnight Run is a rare gem, a top class action comedy with one of the most unusual screen "buddy" partnerships in cinematic history, which has sadly been somewhat overlooked by the majority of people and that's a great shame because it boasts great characters, great comedy, great action scenes, a wonderful plot and a brilliant script with stand-out performances from Dennis Farina, Charles Grodin and in particular Robert De Niro who proves what a great comedic (as well as character) actor he is. Expertly directed by Martin Brest, who directed Beverly Hills Cop (and Scent Of A Woman), this is in my opinion a much better movie than the much lauded Eddie Murphy movie and a must see, particularly if you are a fan of Robert De Niro. In fact it is so good I'd give the movie five stars if it weren't for the lack of extras on the DVD but (especially at a budget price) this is definitely one well worth adding to your collection.

Midnight Run is one of those celluloid addictions. One viewing is just not enough, sooner or later it becomes a library movie, the kind where you've learned to memorize the supporting characters by name and anticipate the pithy dialogue so you can laugh along in time. Albeit laced with a slew of demonstratively foul language, the heart and soul of this film is the chemistry between Grodin and De Niro, its absolutely right on the mark, not a misstep or illogical development. Martin Brest directs with a madcap spirit of flight, veering back and forth between a delightfully angry Dennis Farina as the evil Jimmy Cerano and the hillarious bounty hunter Marvin Dorfla (John Ashton)who's also in pursuit of Grodin. Soon the FBI, mob, local police, and everyone else meet in Las Vegas for the entertaining climax. Cheers for this one from beginning to end, especially enhanced by a very effective score which builds wonderfully atmospheric tones by plucking a few guitar strings and letting them roll along with our dynamic duo. The very rarest of film, an action adventure that refuses to insult your intelligence, makes you laugh even while the guns are firing.

When you feel cynicism each time DeNiro does another Analyse That or 15 Minutes, rent or buy this classic and your faith in his greatness will return. Not much needs to be added about how great this movie is, just wanted to add my voice to the chorus.

My favorite scene-and it's tough to pull out one scene from a film which has no weak moments-is also DeNiro's visit to his home and his interaction with his daughter, one of the most tender moments in an action film.

The story focuses on a man that has jumped bail named Johnathan "The Duke" Mardukas ( Charles Grodin). Mardukas is the ex-account of a Las Vegas mob boss named Jimmy Serrano ( Dennis Farina). The Duke embezzled millions of dollars from Serrano and gave it away to charity before being arrested. Eddie Marcone (Joe Pantoliano)is the bail bondsman that bailed The Duke out of jail. Marcone only has 5 days left, before the bond is forfieted and he is out $100,000. So he sends bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert DeNiro)to retrieve The Duke and bring him back. Unfortunately, Jimmy Serrano wants The Duke dead, and sends two hitmen to kill him. Not to mention the fact that the F.B.I. want to be the ones who bring The Duke to justice. If things couldn't get any worse, there is also a rival bounty hunter named Marvin ( John Ashton)who is trying to bring The Duke in himself. Now it is up to Jack to keep The Duke alive and in one piece, while avoiding Marvin, the FBI, and the two mafia hitmen that are hot on their tails. However, with The Duke constantly trying to escape Jack's custody, Jack begins to realize that he is in for much more than he bargained for.

Midnight Run is without a doubt the best "buddy" film ever made. The reason is because Jack and The Duke's friendship takes the whole movie to develop. Nothing about their relationship is cut and dry. The Duke will do something to make Jack like him one minute, and then upset him the next with repeated escape attempts. The film also features the perfect mix of action and comedy as well. There are certain points in the film that are extremely funny and entertaining. The dialogue in this film is first rate. Then you are also drawn into the film because there are so many obstacles Jack and The Duke must overcome on their way to L.A.. There are tons of close calls in this film. The two mafia hitmen, the FBI, and Marvin the bounty hunter are all equally close to catching up with them. Robert DeNiro has had a lot of great performances. However, I still feel after all these years that his performance in "Midnight Run" is one of the best he ever gave. Charles Grodin manages to be just as good, and even better than DeNiro at times. DeNiro and Grodin's personalities are so different, that they end up making the perfect pair.

After all these years, "Midnight Run" is still a favorite of mine. I have seen the film many times, and it seems to get better after each viewing. Overall, the film features first rate laughs, an action packed story, and great performances from DeNiro, Grodin, Dennis Farina, and Joe Pantoliano. This is definately a must own film.

A solid 5 stars...

Who knew, back in the "Taxi Driver" days, that Robert DeNiro could be this funny? Whenever I need to get in a better mood, I can usually feel better by scening ahead to the "Where are you?" scene on this movie, where DeNiro explains to his bail bondsman employer exactly why he's giving a convoluted answer as to his whereabouts. This is the movie I put on just before I take a road trip so I can fully appreciate how comparatively easy I'll have it, flight delays or not. Robert DeNiro, playing ex-cop Jack Walsh, is assigned the seemingly easy task of finding and retrieving John Mardukas, an innocuous accountant who, until recently, was keeping the books for a mob boss - until he discovered who his employer actually is, upon which discovery Mardukas promptly relieves the Mob of 15 million dollars and goes to ground, skipping bail in the process. Walsh, a savvy detective, has no problem locating the accountant, but that's the last time in the movie he's free of problems - everything goes that way. Not only are there three other agencies after Mardukas - the Mob wants to kill him, the Feds want him to testify, and the bail bondsman has sicced another, stupider bounty hunter on the guy also - travel options become an increasing problem, and Walsh slowly begins to appreciate that his quarry is remarkably clever as well. As played by Charles Grodin, hands down one of the all time best comic actors for playing close-to-the-vest stonefaced characters, the accountant Mardukas is wickedly sharp at throwing monkey wrenches into Walsh's plans and in just generally driving him nuts, continually badgering him about smoking and asking him why he isn't a Chicago cop anymore; the interaction between the two, as they gradually gain a respect for each other, is as good a character development as any movie I've seen. Added to the mix are stellar performances by Yaphet Kotto, as an FBI boss beset by incompetent lackeys and frustration at Walsh's ability to remain one step ahead, and Dennis Farina, as the mob boss in the same boat, having to deal with two particularly laughable hit men. No matter what role Farina takes, though they're pretty much the same, good guy or bad guy, he's always entertaining to watch. The hapless accountant, at the center of all the insanity, views events with a blank incredulity until an opportunity arises for him to affect the plot, when his expression changes to a crafty consideration of his options. A caveat to the sensitive; once I attempted to count the number of times the "f" word was used and gave up; I admonished my mother to pay no attention to it and just enjoy the story. (For the record, she got over it.) Language these days is not so much of an issue, but for those who might turn away from this funny movie because of it - I'd offer the same advice. The story is worth giving it a chance.

I still communicate with friends who also love this flick by using lines from the movie. "Is this moron number one? Put moron number two on the phone." Unreal funny lines run through the whole movie. You gotta love Dennis Farina's mob boss, Yaphet Kotto's fed and especially Joe Pantoliano's bondsman. The chemistry between DeNiro and Grodin's still impressive after all these years and the story has more than one valuable insight on integrity and friendship. I can't think of ANYTHING I don't like about this movie.

DeNiro is (Jack Walsh) a self-righteous ex-cop so unpopular with the Chicago police department, now wanting to make one final 'midnight run' that'll pay big so he can buy a nice coffee shop...

He is hired by an hysterical bondsman to find and bring back a former Mob accountant called Jonathan "The Duke" Mardukas (Grodin) who has stolen $15 million from the Los Angeles mob, given the money to the 'unfortunates of the earth.'

DeNiro quickly captures the 'white-collar criminal' in New York, and is given five days to bring him to Los Angleles, to collect his $100,000 fee...

Unfortunately for DeNiro, the fugitive accountant is too neurotic to fly the distance... The embezzler's ex-boss wants him badly for knowing all his financial transactions, and agent Yaphet Kotto warns Walsh not to interfere with the FBI's plans to bring the 'Duke' into federal court... And if this isn't enough, there is some third-rate bounty hunter (John Ashton) who is intrigued about DeNiro's special deal...

In an extended cross-country chase, the two men's personalities and relationship develop...

DeNiro shows how to catch talents of improvisation... His cheeky schoolboy look certainly supplies some of the film's lighter moments... He delivers some of the best punchlines, when he replies: 'Well if you don't cooperate, you're gonna suffer from fistophobia.'

Charles Grodin is perfect as the prisoner who gets some of Serrano's records on computer disks, figuring if things got too rough, he could always trade them for his life... He continually gets on DeNiro's nerves, and with his soft and ironic tone of voice he advises Walsh that a restaurant is 'a very tricky investment.' He easily dips into Jack Walsh's life ('Don't you want to be loved?'), wandering about his broken marriage ('Did she hurt you, Jack?'), his habits ('Cigarettes are killers. Put the cigarette out.') and whatever he can think of...

The best parts of the film are, in fact, the interactions between the two stars... The story holds up perfectly and entertains the viewer in every way... Martin Brest does bring out the realistic, funny and moving sides of his likable characters... Suspense is maintained to the very end...

Also Robert DeNiro's best, Charles Grodin's best, and one of the best 'buddy' movies in movie history. DeNiro and Grodin play so well off each other every scene with them together(usually bickering, or DeNiro threatening Grodin with some act of violence)is a joy. All the 'minor' characters are top notch, from Kotto to Farina(my personal favorite), to the wiseguys to 'Red'; This movie is one of those you can watch over and over again, too many classic moments to even get started on. 'These people depend on tips for a living...'. If you haven't seen this movie, treat yourself. Then watch it again. Great music, too. Director Brest keeps it moving along at a nice pace, so much so you hardly realize it's 2 hours. That is rare nowadays...