Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, July 24, 1993 TAG: 9307240041
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Where the original was a buddy-cop picture with a comic angle, this one is a full-fledged comedy that takes a parodic twist on cop movies. The original worked, in large part, because the relationship between stars Richard Dreyfuss and Emilio Estevez was so comfortable. In this one, the considerable talents of Rosie O'Donnell have been added to the mix, lifting the film to a higher comic level.
Even though much of the humor is broad and silly, there are moments in this movie where the audience may laugh so loud at a joke or bit of business that they will miss the one that comes next.
For those who don't remember the first film, Chris (Dreyfuss) and Bill (Estevez) are Seattle plainclothes cops. Chris fell in love with Maria (Madeleine Stowe, who doesn't appear in the credits but has a significant supporting role here) while they had her under surveillance.
"Another Stakeout" begins in Las Vegas where mob informer Lu Delano (Cathy Moriarty) escapes a spectacular assassination attempt that could have been lifted from one of the more outrageous "Leathal Weapon" pyrotechnic sequences. Cut to Seattle where Chris and Bill are ordered to help assistant D.A. Gina Garrett (O'Donnell) keep an eye on two of Lu's pals.
Brian (Dennis Farina) and Pam O'Hara (Marcia Strassman) live in a waterfront home on an exclusive Puget Sound island resort. With Chris posing as Gina's husband and Bill as their son, they move into a house next door to the O'Haras. And, oh yes, Gina's brave but undisciplined Rottweiller comes along, too.
In true buddy-picture fashion, our three heroes (four, if you count the dog) take an immediate dislike to each other. And their infighting provides most of the jokes. They zing some fine one-liners off each other, and a long scene in which the O'Haras are invited over for dinner is a fine comic set-piece that builds steadily and ends on a high note.
That side of the film is so strong that writer Jim Kouf and director John Badham treat the action elements of the story almost as an afterthought. Toward the end, when hit man Miguel Ferrer reappears with a weapon that looks like it came out of a cartoon, the credibility of the plot disintegrates. But by then it doesn't matter.
"Chemistry" is that indefinable interaction among actors that all Hollywood movies try to create and few achieve. It may simply be the addition of Rosie O'Donnell that makes the chemistry so enjoyable here and might well pave the way for a third film.
Whatever the case, "Another Stakeout" is the funniest movie for grown-ups in theaters today.
Another Stakeout: *** A Touchstone release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 107 min. Rated PG-13 for violence, some strong language.
by CNB