Hudson Hawk [DVD]

Hudson Hawk is movie about Eddie Hawkins, famed cat-burglar the Hudson Hawk, who after serving 10 years in prison, finds himself blackmailed into stealing the works of Leonardo Da Vinci to recreate his gold transmuting machine. Sounds like a generic action movie, until you find that Eddie and his old and fattening partner Tommy are as unconventional as thieves can be. Singing songs to time their actions, using flair and creativity and mocking the use of gadgets, like a watch. Then we find that the blackmailers include inept mobsters, sardonic and insane CIA agents, and two Billionaires that are such over-the-top lunatics that the action and dialog begin to seem like a comic book. Despite, or because, all this the story holds together and still evokes a laugh. The last action sequence does come off as somewhat silly, and a second of censor editing left in for unknown reasons that chops a wity one-liner in half(half liner?) disrupts the movie slightly. But overall the movie is fun and enjoyable. And the last line of the movie made me go back and watch it again, to see the truth for myself. The REAL plot of the movie: Eddie is trying to get a cup of coffee.

Blown away by the fast service, ordered it and received it the next day. Came in perfect shape, no flaws or scratches. So happy to be able to replace my VHS with a Blu Ray of a great movie.

Someone once asked me to compile a list of movies that Id want with me if I ended up stranded on a DVD/Television equipted deserted isle. This was first on the list, strange as it may seem. Ive seen many a cult classic; Ive only managed not to fall asleep during the midnight showings of Rocky Horror once or twice, and the Kentucky Fried Movie can usually manage a few chuckles out of me. But I sit rivetted to this movie every time I plop it into the DVD player. From the songs to the wacky plotline and over the top acting, this movie is a complete and utter parody of the secret agent/cat burglar movies of the 1980s and 1990s. Grand villians, ever present and mysterious CIA agents, it is a summation of a genre that was far overdone. No, this is not an Academy contestant, but it is a solid film that you can watch over and over again (which is why you buy a DVD) and not cringe if the kids walk in. And when it is over, hopefully youll be just like me and have a nice smile on your face for the rest of the day.

I think the biggest problem with this movie is that people think theyre supposed to take it seriously. Ummmm, no. Its satirical comedy, not straight comedy. All the indignant people who pan this movie by saying its stupid are taking it way too seriously. Of course its stupid, its satire. (warning, some minor spoilers, but they dont matter much) I mean, the love interest is a nun, he mails himself to the Vatican, he spends the whole movie trying to get a cup of capuccino and his parole officer tries to get him to commit a crime. Think The Da Vinci Code meets Laurel and Hardy.

The movie actually starts off pretty well and I must confess to be slightly surprised with Willis’s comedic capability. Then the plot begins to mold into something completely ridiculous. I suppose if one doesn’t take the plot that seriously, they would enjoy it but it was too ridiculous for my liking.

I watched this movie as part of my pilgrimage through all of the terrible films covered by the How Did This Get Made? podcast, and it has to be one of the most memorable disasters Ive seen. What makes it really stand out to me is that it actually makes the full transition from tolerable to despicable to so-bad-its-good territory over the course of the runtime. I found the few opening scenes in Renaissance Italy and Willis release from prison tolerable, even charming. Then things become both very complex and confusing, yet incredibly stupid. The movie almost redeems itself in the third act, though, when Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard deliver such insane performances (even Nic Cage would be in awe) that they almost save the movie. At the end of the day, this movie doesnt have the charm of a sincerely made movie that is accidentally hilariously bad. Its a comedy that fails spectacularly at being funny or charming. It is somewhat funny, just not in the way the maker intended. I mean, a developmentally delayed man makes a rape joke in the middle of the movie. (I had to go back to make sure I didnt imagine it. Its there.) Bruce Willis is so smug its almost intolerable. I dont know who this movie is for. The humor is cartoonish and lame, but theres too much swearing and throat-slitting for this to be a kids show. Its almost a heist-movie musical, but they dont really commit to the singing and Danny Aiello is the only one who actually sings well. This is a movie that thinks its hilarious, and the only real pleasure to be had is in beholding how badly almost every joke falls flat. Anyway, here are some movie suggestions if you either liked this mess for some reason, or you want to see what it looks like when its done better. -Do you want a completely insane power couple driving the action in a fever dream of a movie? Check out Nic Cage and Laura Dern in David Lynchs Wild at Heart. (Just be aware, youll have nightmares about Willem Dafoe for months afterwards.) -Do you want a time-traveling crime caper, but with humor that actually works? See Time Bandits. You cant go wrong with Sean Connery, the Monty Python gang, and a gang of time-traveling criminal dwarfs. -Do you like globe-trotting, over the top action flicks featuring henchmen who like to slice and dice their enemies? Go watch The Kingsman. I hated the humor in that movie too, but Colin Firth is ridiculously charming and the action is innovative and exciting. -Do you want an action-comedy where the hero is an ex-con who is reluctantly roped back into a life of crime? Go see Ant-Man, or better yet, The Blues Brothers. In fact, just go watch the Blues Brothers. Youll be better off.

As a child of the 90s, I have fond memories of browsing the shelves of my local video rental store, searching for the latest action-packed blockbuster to watch on my trusty VHS player. So when I stumbled upon the Hudson Hawk - Retro VHS Style release on Amazon, I couldnt resist the opportunity to relive those nostalgic memories. From the moment the movie started playing, I was transported back in time to a simpler era where Bruce Willis was the king of the silver screen and action movies were all about having fun. Hudson Hawk doesnt take itself too seriously, and thats part of its charm. Its a silly, over-the-top adventure thats more concerned with delivering laughs and thrills than telling a coherent story. But what really makes this release stand out is the retro VHS packaging. The artwork on the cover and the tape itself is an homage to the classic video releases of the 80s and 90s. Its a perfect addition to any collection of vintage movies, or just a great way to display your love for all things retro. Of course, the picture and sound quality of the actual movie are not on par with modern releases, but thats to be expected. The grainy, slightly distorted picture and the occasional audio dropout only add to the overall charm of the experience. Its like watching a movie on an old, well-loved VHS tape thats been played a hundred times before. In conclusion, if youre a fan of Bruce Willis, action movies, or just want to relive the glory days of the VHS era, Hudson Hawk - Retro VHS Style is a must-have addition to your collection. Its a fun, entertaining movie that will transport you back in time and put a smile on your face. Highly recommended!

Just as fun a movie today as I remembered watching it as a child. The blu-ray is a bit grainy, as you would expect, but still good quality even on 4k TVs.

If you are looking for something with deep meaning and full of personal revelation - WRONG MOVIE! If you are looking for abject silliness and actual giggle worthiness - then you have the right movie. Its silly, irreverent, satirical, and just plain fun. This is the movie you watch when you just plain had a lousy week and wanna forget for a little while. Granted, I have to be in a certain mindset to watch it - but it is definitely worth at least a look. Check it out and decide for yourself.

Great movie. I loved it when it first came out. Thus I thought it might be good for a family movie. My son laughed the entire time.