Band of the Hand

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DanTheMan 2 @DanTheMan2150AD Mar 1 Almost akin to an extension to the Miami Vice universe, Band of the Hand feels more like a cousin than a true-blue brother to the show it owes so much to, blending juvenile-delinquent drama with pure Reagan-era pulp and vigilante action. Produced by Michael Mann, the film oozes with the same look and style that carried that show successfully through its first two seasons, with its slick nighttime visuals, pastel colours and neon lighting. I even half-expected Crockett and Tubbs to show up once the vice squad started getting involved, but I love to think they are instead somewhere just off-screen, having their own adventure. Combined with a pounding, synth-heavy score by Michel Rubini and quality musical choices, Band of the Hand is a beautifully glossy, testosterone-fueled fantasy about redemption through discipline and violence, and, although it doesn't fully earn its emotional stakes, its mood, action and sheer '80s swagger are more than enough to win me over. See more James N @RT38806667 Oct 6 It was one of my favorite movies as a teen, up there with Commando and The Last Dragon. Just watched it as a 50 year old, still thought it was entertaining. See more Vince M @RT53003805 03/10/2025 A fine idea that occasionally falls a little flat. No doubt the screenplay was a good concept, but the movie it produced comes off a little muddled and convoluted at times; a lot of the points the film was trying to make felt lost in translation, and it leaves the audience wanting more exposition at times, and less goofing around at others. It comes off as a great concept with a lot of likeable characters, but the villains are one-dimensional and either unimaginative or over-the-top. Still, it’s a clever example of 80’s macho nostalgia that perfectly captures the heroically violent, gun-obsessed adolescent daydreams shared amongst young men of the time, and has a great soundtrack. See more dale a @RT24413636 01/08/2025 One of my favorite movies growing up as a A teenager It was hard to find up until DVDs came out. I’ve met so many people that love that movie and talk about seeing it when they’re 15 or 16 and falling in love with it I’d love the characters, and the soundtrack Can’t believe some of the actors that were in it how big they are today See more Jimmy F @RT87961757 12/31/2024 A Wild Ride of 80s Excess That's So Bad It's Good Band of the Hand (1986) is a quintessential example of 80s cinema at its most gloriously over-the-top. With its blend of crime, action, and unintentional camp, the film becomes an entertaining, if not entirely coherent, ride that's impossible to take too seriously. It's a chaotic mash-up of gritty street drama and outlandish vigilante justice that feels like a fever dream of neon-lit Miami and synth-heavy soundtracks. The story follows a group of juvenile delinquents who are sent to the Florida Everglades for rehabilitation under the stern yet enigmatic direction of Stephen Lang in his first major film role. Lang's performance as Joe, a survivalist and disciplinarian, is both commanding and unintentionally hilarious. He's the kind of leader who makes you believe that these unruly teens could actually band together to take down a Miami drug lord. Lauren Holly, also in her first major role, plays Nikki, bringing a mix of charm and melodrama to the film. While the script doesn't give her much to work with, Holly still manages to leave an impression amidst the testosterone-fueled chaos. The real joy of Band of the Hand lies in its sheer audacity. From the overblown violence to the bizarre plot twists, the film constantly teeters on the edge of absurdity. The climactic showdown against a drug cartel, set in a heavily fortified mansion, is pure 80s action gold, complete with explosions, cheesy one-liners, and an unforgettable Michael Mann-produced soundtrack. While it's clear the filmmakers intended Band of the Hand to be a gritty and serious tale of redemption and justice, the result is an unintentional comedy that's endlessly entertaining. The mismatched cast, ludicrous dialogue, and larger-than-life action sequences make it the kind of movie you'd watch with friends just to revel in its campy glory. Final Thoughts: Band of the Hand may not be a cinematic masterpiece, but its mix of earnest performances from rising stars like Stephen Lang and Lauren Holly, combined with its over-the-top action and 80s aesthetic, makes it a cult favorite. It's a so-bad-it's-good gem that deserves a spot in any fan's collection of guilty pleasures. A wild, campy blast of 80s excess that's equal parts ridiculous and entertaining. It's not a great movie, but it sure is a fun one. See more Steve D @RT35616104 03/05/2023 A complete and total mess. See more Read all reviews

Band of the Hand

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