Review of The Specialist (1994) by Tonypolito — 24 Mar 2011

Not quite as bad as the pans it took, but there's really no suspense either. James Woods can't NOT act ... and he carries this film along. Rod Steiger, as a 90-year-old Mafia kingpin, also delivers well, albeit in a rather understated manner.

Sharon Stone was two years out of "Basic Instinct;" signing her on lead ensured a breath-taking box office rake, no matter what else the film contained. Stone's not acting here, and neither is Stallone. That's mostly due to the fact there's no meat on the bones of their characters. However they are both willing to show off every last PG body part with reckless and erotic abandon to earn their paychecks. Viewers shouldn't expect any satisfying steam; it's all tease. If this duo had actually tango-ed in the Fontainebleau Hotel scene, oh what a pairing it would have been. The DVD would still be selling as a cult classic today.

RECOMMENDATION: Leave it on the tube while you're doing afternoon household chores. Then take well-earned time-outs whenever Woods or Steiger speaks, Stone shows leg or Stallone takes off his shirt.