The Hard Way

Michael J Fox and James Woods have a wonderful time sending up their established screen personae in this cheerful, breezy comedy thriller. Fox plays the pampered film star who wants to ditch his lightweight image with a grittier new role as a hard-nosed detective, and who better to teach him the ropes than real-life hard-nosed detective Woods? The two reluctant partners then get caught up in the hunt for a serial killer (an over-the-top Stephen Lang). Action specialist John Badham piles on the mayhem with the requisite car chases and explosive set pieces, but the real joy comes from the two stars, as Woods is nearly driven mad by Fox's determination to live his life. Annabella Sciorra is wasted as the love interest, but there's a nice cameo from Penny Marshall (now acclaimed director of blockbusters such as Big and Awakenings) as Fox's agent. Also, keep an eye out for rapper LL Cool J and Christina Ricci.