Review of Bird on a Wire (1990) by Tyler B — 27 Sep 2018

One of the more underrated and fun action comedies of the late 80's/early 90's. Shame this one is forgotten because it's both quite fun and has some wit to it.

Gibson and Hawn shine here as a pair of jilted ex lovers who were screwed like most hippies were in the 60's. Gibson's guy gets caught in a pair of crooked DEA agents drug smuggling ring and he loses his best friend in the crossfire and is trapped in witness protection due to their connections. Hawn meanwhile sells out and loses her soul to greed and CORPORATE America. They met again after 20 years in Detroit as he's in a gimmick and she's on business. Then all of a sudden the head rougue agent wants his blood and frames Mel for murder and off they go.

I love how brisk this movie is. It flows well and fast yet you know the CHARACTERS and enjoy them. Mel's a washout with no roots and Goldie does her uptite bitty role perfect as they had great chemistry. Shame they never made another movie. Great supporting cast as David CARRADINE'S the main baddie but you also have Bill Duke, Stephen Tobolowsky, and an in her prime Joan Severence in this too.

My biggest fault with this is 2 things: 1 I woulda loved a little more with Mel and Goldie's CHARACTERS during and after the chase, Maybe show some of Mel's guy's ACQUIRED skills perhaps. and 2. Carradine's wasted as the baddie. He isn't in it nowhere enough as he shoulda been or allowed to be himself.

Overall I love this movie I recommend it a ton . if someone wants a fun old school action/comedy it's hard to top this one.