THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, December 1, 1995 TAG: 9512010026
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALAN CHANG, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Short : 50 lines
ALL ABOARD for the most absurd ride of your life in the movie ``Money Train.'' This is the third movie that the buddies, Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson, have worked together on.
Snipes and Harrelson play two brothers who grew up together in an orphanage. The two are New York City transit cops who specialize in capturing subway muggers and other bizarre crooks.
The first half of the movie is consumed by the theme of sibling rivalry. The boys argue on such childish matters as who was Mother's favorite and who was the clumsy one. Of course, as the younger brother, Harrelson is the clumsy one who gets himself in a jam when he owes a gambler $15,000.
Suddenly the movie shifts gears and the audience is introduced to a sexy cop played by Jennifer Lopez. She serves no function in this movie other than as a sex symbol, which is disappointing. Her appearance complicates the relationship of the two brothers as they compete to win her heart.
The audience is also introduced to the brothers' evil boss, played by Robert Blake, whose concern with his money exceeds his value for people's lives. Although he is an unrealistic villain in an unrealistic action movie, Blake's acting significantly elevates the level of this character. Even so, the train robbery is actually the only interesting part of the movie.
Most of the action sequences in this movie are spin-offs from ``Speed.'' The movie tries to keep the audience interested with dry humor. But the frivolousness in this movie actually allows Snipes to be relaxed and natural for the first time since his performance in ``White Man Can't Jump.''
``Money Train'' is another movie that seems to be interesting in previews but is disappointing on screen. The movie does not quite reach its destination as an action/comedy. It is one of those films people would say that it could have been better ``if'' the writers perfected the story a little more. MEMO: ``Money Train'' is rated R. Children under 17 not admitted without a
parent or guardian. ILLUSTRATION: Photos
Alan Chang is a senior at Kempsville High School.
COLUMBIA/TRI-STAR
Woody Harrelson, left, and Wesley Snipes turn the tables on would-be
muggers in ``Money Train.''
by CNB