Tango and Cash (1989)
Director: Andrey Konchlovskiy
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Teri Hatcher, Jack Palance
Primary genre: Buddy cop
Secondary genre: Action
Third genre: Comedy
By the time “Tango and Cash” arrived in 1989, the audience seemed to less invested in watching two bickering law enforcement individuals who attempt to uncover an insidious plot and more intrigued by nuanced and complex dramas. After all, the success of Richard Donner’s “Lethal Weapon” (1987) re-energized an almost dead in the water genre due to Shane Black’s writing ability that saw him including dark humor, realistic violence and morally ambiguous characters, thus giving way to an army of poor imitators in the years to come.
Enter “Tango and Cash” though, a film that unapologetically bets on its stars’ appeal, does not attempt to change the formula or offer any sociopolitical commentary. Its plot is a mish-mash of all the traditional traits you would have expected for an 80’s action crime flick and rightfully so. Awesome night clubs, manhood jokes, witty one liners, copious amounts of macho display, capitalistic antagonists, monitor walls and more are all present and while they force the audience to predict easily the story’s progression, in this instance it’s the journey that really counts.
What propels the movie a notch above the rest is the undeniable chemistry between a remarkably restrained Sylvester Stallone as a savvy and well-dressed Beverly Hills cop and an enjoying-every-minute-of-it Kurt Russell as a street smart downtown LA detective. Their contrasting lifestyles, mannerisms and approach to the proceedings inject life into the big screen and making “Tango and Cash” funnier than, yes the aforementioned “Lethal Weapon” since neither is taking the script seriously.
Not that “Tango and Cash” is lacking in the action department though. A prison segment that places our heroes in an unpredictable and beyond their control situation - easily the film’s highlight- is beautifully shot and bears a palpable sense of adventure complemented by car chases, explosions, and mano a mano fights that escalate though to an overblown and destructive finale that thematically feels unfit under the pretty catchy score from 80’s synth guru Harold Faltermeyer (“Beverly Hills Cop“ (1984), “Top Gun” (1986)).
The supporting cast, primarily composed by the villain duties of Jack Palance, Brion James and James Hong offer standard two dimensional work which surprisingly suits the current OTT sandbox while Teri Hatcher’s entrance sees the best cinematic use of Yazoo’s “Don’t go”.
Nevertheless, a sense of choppy editing is perpetrated throughout the film apparently due to creative clashes between Stallone and director Andrey Konchalovskiy (who got replaced by Albert Magnoli) and it shows; certain scenes lack explanation and/or depth feeling incomplete story-wise while the tone swings from cheeky action comedy to hardcore prison drama with inconsistent violent outbursts.
Despite these criticisms, “Tango and Cash” is impervious because frankly it so damn fun to watch which could explain its well-deserved cult status. Watching two of the biggest stars of the 80s having a blast with the material is enough to warrant you a most excellent time and a repetitive viewing.
An 80’s cult classic
+Chemistry between the leads
+Stallone is great but Russell steals the show!
+Comedy gold
+Appropriately OTT
+Witty banter
+Teri Hatcher’s entrance!
+Great score
+Visually beautiful
-Feels sometimes incomplete
-Inconsistent tone
-Textbook plot