THE HARD WAY was made at the tail end of the buddy flick phenomena . It uses the formula fairly well of having a street smart hardened cop who has seen everything and pairs him up with a partner who is the complete opposite . These type of movies aren`t so hit and miss but you do get the feeling that when you`ve seen one you`ve seen them all .

This movie is actually better than most down to the fact the two stars James Wood and Michael J Fox are two entirely different type of actors who suit there roles perfectly . It`s also a movie that doesn`t take itself or Hollywood seriously , check out the line about that little Scottish fella Henry the Fifth . Unfortunately the dialogue isn`t the greatest that`s ever been written for the screen with Woods tough cop spouting " Dammit " and " F**k " in equal measure . Take it from me that if someone curses with the F word they never EVER say " Dammit " and vice versa . Some people may also complain that THE HARD WAY is somewhat lightweight when compared to something like 48 HOURS and I suppose it is but there`s no real jarring in serious scenes and the more humourous ones unlike some buddy movies

THE HARD WAY isn`t a movie that`s going to change your life but it is entertaining , especially if you like James Woods or Michael J Fox

I feel a bit bad for Michael J. Fox in this film. The Hard Way casts him as an action hero star who has enough clout to get himself assigned to a New York City precinct and a real detective James Woods who is out trying to catch a very brazen serial killer. It's for a future role in a film and Fox attaches himself to Woods like a carbuncle and Woods spends the entire film almost to the end trying to get rid of him or at least keep him in place.

Woods is hunting Stephen Lang a killer known as the Party Crasher who goes to public events and shoots someone after calling the police and announcing there where and when. Lang gives an outstanding, no holds barred, totally overacted performance that is the height of the movie.

The problem is that you can't have a real action star like a Harrison Ford, or a Jean Claude Van Damme in the part because they do look like they know what they're doing. But Marty McFly or Alex P. Keaton as action star. Turn that one over in your mind.

A couple nice female roles are in this one for Annabella Sciorra as Woods's girlfriend who thinks Fox is just a cop who looks like that action hero film star and Penny Marshall, Fox's agent who is on the job 24/7.

I'm not sure anyone could have filled the role properly. Fox tries, but it's just not believable.

Lt. John Moss (James Woods) is an aggressive hard-nosed NYPD detective. His partner is Benny Pooley (Luis Guzmán) and his suffering girlfriend is Susan (Annabella Sciorra). He's after the crazy gunman Party Crasher (Stephen Lang). Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox) is a famous actor known for being action hero Joe Gunn. He is tired of doing the same thing again and wants to ride along with Moss. Captain Brix (Delroy Lindo) takes him off the case despite Moss's objections. Moss continues to investigate anyways even with the hyper pushy Lang tagging along.

This is a buddy comedy where for the most part, the buddies don't get along. Woods is dialed up to 11 with his fast talking wild hard cop type. Fox is dialed up to 11 with his fast talking whiny Hollywood actor type. It may be better if either one could play the straight man in this duo. I like Woods' character more than Fox's. They're good for small doses but for the full movie, they wear out their welcome. The crazy killer, the gangs, the ghetto and the rest are all very fake. It's a fine movie to see these two actors act up a storm to get a laugh. I find that they annoyed me a little more than amused me.