The Hard Way

1991

The Hard Way

Critics Consensus

The Hard Way's overly familiar formula is enlivened by a witty script and the excellent comedic chemistry between Michael J. Fox and James Woods.

74%

TOMATOMETER

Reviews Counted: 19

52%
liked it

Audience Score

User Ratings: 11,209

TOMATOMETER

N/A
All Critics | Top Critics
Average Rating: N/A
Reviews Count: 0
Fresh: 0
Rotten: 0

AUDIENCE SCORE

52%
Average Rating: 3/5

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Movie Info

Action film director John Badham bites the hand that feeds him in this action movie spoof that features ribbing of pretty-boy Hollywood action stars by Michael J. Fox and a parody of colorful, hair-trigger James Woods types by the man himself. Woods plays New York homicide detective John Moss, who is within an inch of closing in on a serial killer who calls himself The Party Crasher (Stephen Lang) because his specialty is shooting his victims in the middle of discos. Chasing The Party Crasher after his latest victim has been dispatched, Moss finds himself hanging onto the door of a speeding truck with The Party Crasher at the wheel. When Moss is thrown off the truck and nearly killed, The Party Crasher escapes, and Moss is taken off the case. Moss is given a new assignment --to tag around with Hollywood action film star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox), the popular hero of the "Smoking Gun" movies. Lang spotted Moss on a television news show and thinks he would be the ideal cop to study for adding authenticity to an up-coming police action picture. Posing as Moss's rookie partner, Lang follows Moss everywhere, proceeding to spoil his pursuit of The Party Crasher and interfering with Moss's burgeoning affair with his girlfriend Susan (Anabella Sciorra).

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Cast

Michael J. Fox
as Nick Lang
James Woods
as John Moss
Stephen Lang
as Party Crasher
Annabella Sciorra
as Susan
John Capodice
as Grainy
Luis Guzman
as Pooley
LL Cool J
as Billy
Mary Mara
as China
Delroy Lindo
as Captain Brix
Conrad Roberts
as Witherspoon
Penny Marshall
as Angie
Christina Ricci
as Bonnie
George Cheung
as Drug Dealer
Bonnie Timmermann
Frank Geraci
as Newsman
Sophie Maletsky
as Pizza Waitress
Lewis Black
as Banker
Rand Foerster
as Banker
Anderson Matthews
as Banker
Kathy Najimy
as Lang's Girl Friday
Dante Smith
as Dead Romeo
Dwayne McClary
as Dead Romeo
Sharrieff Pugh
as Dead Romeo
Anthony Thomas
as Dead Romeo
Howard "Stick" Baines
as Dead Romeo
Shawn McLean
as Dead Romeo
Curtis L. McClarin
as Dead Romeo
Keenan Leung
as Asian Gang Leader
Bill Cobbs
as Raggedy Man
Reno
as Diner Waitress
John Costelloe
as Fake Dead Guy/Cop
Jack Gindi
as Ticket Taker
Leif Riddell
as Head Mugger
Johnny Sanchez
as Mugger
Joseph Tripi
as Mugger
Karen Lynn Gorney
as Woman in Subway
Janet Sarno
as Continental Representative
Michael Jeffrey Woods
as Cop
Jan Speck
as TV Reporter
Holly Kuespert
as `Smoking Gunn' Girl
John Ring
as Homeboy Cop
Michael Jeffery Woods
as Cop
William Truesdale
as Witherspoon's Bodyguard
Mark Woodcock
as Clothing Salesman
Ed Setrakian
as Chief Villain
David O. Sosna
as Frog Dog Vendor
Adore O'Hara
as Dead Entertainer
Michael Badalucco
as Pizza Man
Jordanna Freedman
as Moviegoer
Merrill Witten
as Scared Subway Woman
Fracaswell Hyman
as Wino
Mario Bosco
as Boy in Theater
Bryant Gumbel
as Himself
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Critic Reviews for The Hard Way

All Critics (19) | Top Critics (3)

  • There is nothing very remarkable about The Hard Way, except for its comic energy, but the energy of this movie is everything, reminding me of the wisecracking, hard-boiled screwball comedies of the 1940s.

    Jan 1, 2000 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…

    Roger Ebert

    Chicago Sun-Times
    Top Critic

  • Along with some good laughs, there's also a bit of effective tension.

    May 15, 2007 | Rating: 75/100

    Brian Webster

    Apollo Guide

  • An underrated buddy flick with an original twist and some outstanding stunt work.

    Mar 4, 2006 | Rating: 7/10

    Chuck O'Leary

    FulvueDrive-in.com

  • Fox and Woods let off some good sparks in a vivacious, witty and fast romp

    Feb 7, 2006 | Rating: 3/5

    Clint Morris

    Film Threat

  • Utterly unremarkable, but harmless and not without its charms.

    Dec 9, 2005 | Rating: 3/5

    Rob Vaux

    Flipside Movie Emporium

  • An amusing diversion, with Woods and Fox perfectly cast.

    Sep 3, 2002 | Rating: 3/5

    Chuck Rudolph

    Matinee Magazine
View All Critic Reviews (19)

Audience Reviews for The Hard Way

½

While it's nothing revolutionary, The Hard Way does what it does well. It's your fairly typical buddy cop film but with some nice moments and surprises in the first hour and change. The climax is a little cliche-tastic, but delivers some fun action.

Ken Stachnik
Ken Stachnik

Super Reviewer

Funny action flivk. James Woods is great in this one.

Jason Spencer
Jason Spencer

Super Reviewer

One of my favorite buddy/comedies ever made.

Michael S
Michael S

Super Reviewer

½

Seen this on TV a few times and always forgot the name. An enjoyable film about a big method acting star who teams up with a tough cop to prepare for his new role and ends up in danger!

Dean King
Dean King

Super Reviewer

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