Review of Tango & Cash (1989) by Sam P — 11 Apr 2012

Now and again, you need a bit of a brainless movie. A movie that is about guns, explosions, action, and some good banter between the main stars. What you donâ(TM)t want is a well thought-out plot with Oscar-winning performances. You seriously just want some over the top action. So you canâ(TM)t go wrong when you take two action star classics, in Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell, as the respective titular characters.

Surprisingly they have a great performer as the villain, Jack Palance the man behind the plan to have Tango and Cash framed to be thrown into prison. Palance just chews scenery throughout, definitely enjoying himself.

The idea of heroes or cops ending up in the same prison as those they put away is always fascinating, and I am uncertain, but possibly originated in this film? Iâ(TM)m not sure, but it is a great touch, helping set up Tango and Cash needing to work together. It does take a while to get to that, granted, with them spending half the time also bitching and arguing, but to be honest it wasnâ(TM)t really a surprise.

Ray Tango is a suited-up, clean individual, more of an upper-class style who cared about stocks and appearance. Gale Cash is a more rugged, jeans and shirt wearing mess who just enjoys life. The two of them are quite opposite, which is very run of the mill for these type of films, but they suit their characters more then I expected, Russell never looks like he can use a hairbrush and Stallone carries a suit off well.

Itâ(TM)s expected theyâ(TM)ll start in a pissing contest and try and prove whoâ(TM)s the big dog, until they eventually get over and work together. The banter between them is good, including one scene where they have to shower together, and discuss having to work together, whilst at the same time âsizingâ? each other up, seeing who is more of the big god.

I admit I didnâ(TM)t have a favorite of the two, what with Tango being slightly prudish and making himself out to be the more cerebral of the two. Cash is a lite version of his character from âBig Trouble In Little Chinaâ? really, so he was more slightly nostalgic of a better character. They are however extremely similar, there isnâ(TM)t much difference between them, despite how often they try to emphasize the supposed differences between the two.

The film isnâ(TM)t perfect, it is a silly film, but if you just switch your brain off and go along for the ride, it does the job, Although it may be better with your mates so you can rip it :P. It is very much one of those âso bad it becomes goodâ? films.