Video Review

Beyond the Law (1994)

EW's GRADE
D

Details Movie Rated: R; Genres: Action/Adventure, Mystery and Thriller; With: Michael Madsen and Charlie Sheen

The producers probably lost a bundle when this dopey actioner bypassed theaters, but they could recoup by throwing together The Making of Beyond the Law, which baffled legions would rent just to figure out how respected Hollywood types could make a film this amateurish. Charlie Sheen may have simply needed the cash, but rising bad guy Michael Madsen permanently dents his cool as leader of an evil motorcycle gang infiltrated by a screwed-up undercover cop (Sheen). Although it offers hilariously inept editing (in one montage Sheen repeatedly loads the same guns), the movie's unfinished feel makes Beyond the Law resemble a bungled attempt at Hot Shots! Part Trois, with all the jokes left on the cutting room floor.

Originally posted Sep 16, 1994 Published in issue #240 Sep 16, 1994 Order article reprints

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