🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Thomas Carter
- Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller, Comedy
- Release year: 1997
- Runtime (length): 1h 57min
- IMDb rating: 5.6/10 (30K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 15%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Eddie Murphy talks fast, chases a bad guy with a gravelly voice, and tries to save his girlfriend from a giant paper cutter.
🍿 Metro: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Introduction to Scott Roper
Scott Roper (Eddie Murphy) is San Francisco’s top hostage negotiator, known for his quick wit and unorthodox methods. He successfully resolves a bank hostage situation, showcasing his skills but also highlighting his strained personal life. He juggles his dangerous profession with attempts to rekindle a relationship with his ex-girlfriend, Veronica.

The Emergence of Michael Korda
Roper’s world takes a dark turn when his friend, Lieutenant Sam Baffett, is murdered while investigating a notorious jewel thief, Michael Korda (Michael Wincott). Korda is a cold and calculating criminal who sets his sights on Roper after feeling threatened by Baffett’s inquiries. This event fuels Roper’s desire for revenge and sets the stage for a personal and dangerous conflict.

Cat and Mouse
Korda is apprehended after a thrilling chase sequence involving a runaway trolley car, placing Roper on a collision course with the vengeful criminal. Korda escapes from prison, making it personal by targeting Roper’s girlfriend, Veronica. Korda’s actions escalate the situation, forcing Roper to make difficult choices to protect those he loves.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Insp. Scott Roper (Eddie Murphy): A skilled but wisecracking hostage negotiator who seeks revenge when a jewel thief murders his friend.
- Michael Korda (Michael Wincott): A ruthless jewel thief who seeks revenge on Roper after being apprehended, leading to a deadly game of cat and mouse.
- Kevin McCall (Michael Rapaport): A sharpshooter and rookie cop who becomes Roper’s partner and provides support during the conflict with Korda.
- Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Tate (Carmen Ejogo): Roper’s girlfriend, a newspaper reporter, who becomes a target for Korda’s revenge, escalating the personal stakes.
- Lt. Sam Baffett (Art Evans): Roper’s close friend and fellow officer whose murder at the hands of Korda sets Roper on a path of revenge.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Scott Roper: “I’m a hostage negotiator. I talk people down. When that don’t work, I shoot ’em.” – Scott explains his straightforward approach to hostage situations.
- Scott Roper: “You won’t last two weeks.” – Scott says this to his superior officer regarding his new partner, Kevin McCall.
- Michael Korda: “You took something from me, Roper. Now I’m gonna take something from you.” – Korda makes it clear that he is seeking revenge on Roper after being captured.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $55,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $32,000,301
- Worldwide Gross: $32,000,301
💥 Metro Reviews
Personal Review
I remember watching Metro as a kid, thinking it was a cooler, more grown-up Eddie Murphy than his comedies. Seeing him in a serious action role was intriguing. It’s a fun movie. The runaway trolley car scene is still amazing and intense. It doesn’t reach the highs of Beverly Hills Cop, but it definitely has its moments. I’d rewatch it for some classic 90s action.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of Eddie Murphy who enjoy his action roles.”
- “Viewers looking for a 90s action thriller with a cat-and-mouse storyline.”
- “Those who enjoy movies set in San Francisco with thrilling car chases.”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and gun fights”
- “Strong language”
- “Intense scenes that may be disturbing to some viewers”
Professional Reviews
- We Got This Covered: “Metro is an okay film if you enjoy action movies, but don’t expect anything profound. Eddie Murphy puts on a fair performance, but the movie is predictable and forgettable.
- MovieFanatic: “Good set pieces save this from being totally terrible, but Metro is pretty average action flick that isn’t very memorable. Murphy is trying to be serious but it ultimately doesn’t work. However, the car chase with the runaway tram is quite the thrill ride and a stand out.
Audience Reactions
The trolley car chase is an exciting, memorable action sequence.: Most viewers agree that the film is a decent, if unoriginal, action movie.
Overall Consensus: Metro is a decent 90s action movie elevated by Eddie Murphy and fun action sequences.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Eddie Murphy chose to star in ‘Metro’ because he wanted to play a more dramatic role in a serious action picture, moving away from his comedic roles.”
- “Before accepting the role in ‘Metro’, Eddie Murphy was originally slated to star in another action thriller titled ‘Sandblast’, described as a mix of ‘Die Hard’ and ‘Cliffhanger’ set in the Iraq desert.”
🖥️ How to Watch Metro?
Metro (1997) is available to rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play. Check your local listings for availability on cable on-demand services. Physical copies of the DVD are also available for purchase online.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Metro, you might like these similar films:
- Beverly Hills Cop (1984): Similar fast-paced action with Eddie Murphy as a wisecracking cop, but with a stronger comedic focus.
- The Negotiator (1998): Another film centered around hostage negotiation, but with a more serious and intense tone.
- 48 Hrs. (1982): Early buddy cop action film with Eddie Murphy that established his action-comedy persona.
- S.W.A.T. (2003): Modern action film featuring a S.W.A.T. team dealing with dangerous criminals and high-stakes situations.
🛒 Metro Related Products
- Beverly Hills Cop [Blu-ray]: Relive Axel Foley’s iconic adventures in Beverly Hills. This is an amazing film that is as exciting as Metro, if not more.
- Vintage ’90s Action Movie Poster Set: A collection of posters from iconic 90’s action films.
- Die Hard Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: Experience the thrill of the groundbreaking action series that changed the genre forever.
- Diamond Painting Kits for Adults: An assorted collection of Diamond painting kits that will bring joy to your pastime.
🎧 Soundtrack
Metro features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Metro was primarily filmed in San Francisco, California. The movie showcases several iconic San Francisco locations, including the steep city streets and waterfront areas.
No, Metro is a standalone film and is not related to the Beverly Hills Cop series. While Eddie Murphy plays a police officer in both, the characters and storylines are completely different.
The main antagonist in Metro is Michael Korda, played by Michael Wincott. He is a jewel thief with a cold and calculating personality, who seeks revenge against Eddie Murphy’s character.
🔥 Bonus Content
Life In A Metro Replayed | Roasted Reviews
Ever wondered if ‘Life In A Metro’ still holds up today? This review dives deep, and honestly, some of the points they make are spot-on. It’s a fun watch and makes you think about the movie differently.
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