
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 16, 1994                   TAG: 9404160055
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

`SURVIVING': A FAMILIAR PLOT BUT A PLEASANT SURPRISE

The only thing wrong with "Surviving the Game" is overfamiliarity. The plot is based on "The Most Dangerous Game," a short story that's been filmed often, most recently last year as John Woo's "Hard Target."

There are no surprises in the plot - wealthy hunters attacking human prey who, of course, turn the tables - but this telling of the tale is well-written, creatively cast and directed with a real sense of excitement.

Mason (Ice-T) is homeless and hopeless in Seattle until Cole (Charles S. Dutton), a sympathetic social worker, offers him work. Cole's icy partner Burns (Rutger Hauer) tells him that they need help with a private hunt. Off they fly to the woods where they meet Hawkins (Gary Busey), a half-mad psychiatrist; Griffin (John C. McGinley), a rabid Texan; and Wolfe (F. Murray Abraham) who has his son (William McNamara) in tow. After some spooky introductory material about these men, the "hunt" is on.

Eric Bernt's script stays tightly focused on the situation and the personalities of those involved, and it's relatively believable throughout. So, if you can forget comparisons and the deja-vu plot, you'll find that "Surviving the Game" is a welcome surprise - far and away the best action movie in theaters today.

Surviving the Game ***

A New Line release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 94 min. Rated R for graphic violence, strong language.

by CNB