Excessive Force Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A cop with too many karate kicks and a penchant for jazz piano accidentally loses mob money, then unleashes *more* karate kicks to find it, only to realize everyone wants to kick *him* back.

🍿 Excessive Force: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Disappearing Millions and Mob Retribution

The film opens with Chicago detective Terry McCain, known for his ‘excessive force,’ leading a police raid on mob boss Sal DiMarco’s operations. During the chaotic bust, a significant sum of $3 million mysteriously vanishes. Though DiMarco is arrested, his case is thrown out due to McCain’s aggressive tactics. Believing McCain or his team stole the money, DiMarco initiates a brutal campaign of vengeance against the cops involved. The body count quickly rises, with McCain’s partners and associates becoming targets in a series of violent attacks.

McCain’s Personal Vendetta

As his colleagues are systematically eliminated, McCain finds himself increasingly isolated and driven by a desire for justice. The new Chief of Police, Devlin, acknowledges McCain’s unorthodox methods and tacitly grants him leeway to pursue his own brand of vigilante justice against the mob, turning a blind eye to his deviation from standard procedure. McCain, a talented jazz pianist in his downtime, frequently seeks solace at his friend Jake’s jazz club, trying to make sense of the escalating violence and the betrayal he feels. However, the line between justice and personal revenge blurs as he confronts DiMarco directly, only to find the situation more complicated than it appears.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Terry McCain (Thomas Ian Griffith): A maverick Chicago police detective known for his martial arts skills and ‘excessive force,’ who is framed and hunted after mob money disappears during a raid.
• Devlin (Lance Henriksen): The new Chief of Police who appears to give Terry McCain leeway for vigilante justice but is later revealed to be deeply involved in the corrupt conspiracy.
• Sal DiMarco (Burt Young): A ruthless mob boss who instigates a violent vendetta against the Chicago cops after $3 million of his money goes missing during a police raid.
• Jake (James Earl Jones): The wise and calm owner of a jazz bar who serves as a trusted friend and mentor to Terry McCain.
• Frankie Hawkins (Tony Todd): Terry McCain’s amiable and loyal police partner who becomes an early target in the mob’s escalating violence.
• Anna Gilmour (Charlotte Lewis): Terry McCain’s model girlfriend who finds herself endangered and on the run with him as the conspiracy unravels.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Terry McCain: “Oh, that’s original.” – His sarcastic retort after a hitman defiantly tells him ‘Fuck you!’ during a confrontation.
• Devlin: “Well boys, looks like we’re going to have to kick some ass.” – Said by the police chief with casual determination when deciding to take aggressive action against the mob.
• Terry McCain: “I couldn’t hear that last part.” – A sharp, defiant line delivered during a tense exchange, implying he knows more than he lets on.
• Terry McCain: “Die with a little dignity.” – A confrontational line spoken to an opponent, urging them to yield during a fight.
• Terry McCain: “What is your jaw made of?” – Said by McCain to an opponent during a physical altercation, expressing surprise at their resilience.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $3,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $1,152,117
• Worldwide Gross: $1,152,117

💥 Excessive Force Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into ‘Excessive Force’ expecting pure 90s cheese, and it absolutely delivered! From Thomas Ian Griffith’s wild martial arts moves (seriously, those high kicks!) to his completely random but charming jazz piano playing, this movie is a time capsule of action cinema. I particularly loved the scene where he’s just calmly playing the piano, then seconds later he’s in an intense brawl. It perfectly captures that over-the-top, no-holds-barred energy. It’s got that classic B-movie vibe, made even better by the surprisingly deep cast. Definitely a fun watch for any fan of nostalgic action!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of 90s B-movie action thrillers”
  • “Martial arts enthusiasts, particularly those interested in Taekwondo”
  • “Viewers who enjoy films with corrupt cop themes”
  • “Fans of actors like Thomas Ian Griffith, Lance Henriksen, James Earl Jones, and Tony Todd”
  • “Those who appreciate gritty, violent action without deep plot complexities”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong violence and brutal fight sequences”
  • “Explicit language”
  • “Sexuality and nudity”
  • “Drug use”

Professional Reviews

• Action Film Gazette: “While ‘Excessive Force’ never transcends its generic ‘loose cannon cop’ premise, it’s undeniably buoyed by an unexpectedly stacked supporting cast. Thomas Ian Griffith delivers the required martial arts spectacle, but it’s the gravitas of Lance Henriksen and James Earl Jones that truly give this B-movie its unexpected weight. A watchable slice of early ’90s action, perfect for a nostalgic kick.
• Pulp Cinema Daily: “‘Excessive Force’ attempts to launch Thomas Ian Griffith as the next action star, showcasing plenty of high kicks and a brooding hero. However, the plot, penned by Griffith himself, is a predictable maze of police corruption and mob revenge. Despite energetic sequences and a memorable ensemble, the film ultimately feels like a formulaic, albeit entertaining, entry in the crowded ’90s action genre.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Thomas Ian Griffith’s unique blend of martial arts prowess and unexpected jazz piano skills, finding it hilariously charming.: The film is widely praised for its high-energy action sequences and a surprisingly strong supporting cast that elevates the otherwise conventional plot.

Overall Consensus: A quintessential 90s action flick, ‘Excessive Force’ is often praised for its energetic fight scenes and an unexpectedly strong supporting cast that elevates its otherwise conventional plot, making it a cult favorite for B-movie enthusiasts.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “New Line Cinema initially hoped lead actor Thomas Ian Griffith would become a major studio star, positioning him similarly to how Warner Bros. later did with Steven Seagal.”
• “Thomas Ian Griffith not only starred in the film but also wrote and co-produced it, making it largely his personal project.”
• “The film’s martial arts technical adviser was legendary kickboxer Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez, though he does not appear on screen.”
• “The UK video release was significantly cut by 26 seconds, removing specific moments of violence, including kicks, punches, and a character’s head being pushed through a car window; these cuts were later waived for the DVD release.”

🖥️ How to Watch Excessive Force?

Excessive Force (1993) is not widely available on subscription streaming services, but you can typically rent or purchase it on demand. Look for it on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube, where digital copies can be acquired for flexible viewing. Check these services for the most current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Excessive Force, you might like these similar films:

• Hard Target (1993): Shares similar over-the-top action, a distinct B-movie sensibility, and co-stars Lance Henriksen in a memorable villainous role.
• Serpico (1973): Explores the theme of a lone, incorruptible cop fighting a corrupt system from within, a core element also present in ‘Excessive Force’.
• Above the Law (1988): Steven Seagal’s debut, establishing the ‘martial arts cop’ subgenre with signature brutal action and a focus on an unconventional police hero.
• Rapid Fire (1992): Another early 90s martial arts action film starring a contemporary actor (Brandon Lee), featuring similar fight choreography and a gritty urban setting.
• The Raid: Redemption (2011): For its relentless, highly choreographed martial arts action and enclosed setting, pushing the boundaries of the genre ‘Excessive Force’ belongs to with a modern take.

🛒 Excessive Force Related Products

• Excessive Force (Special Edition Blu-ray): Experience this cult ’90s action classic in high definition! This special edition includes a director’s commentary, behind-the-scenes featurettes on Thomas Ian Griffith’s martial arts training, and a retrospective on ’90s action cinema.
• Excessive Force: The Game (Digital Download): A retro-inspired beat-em-up game that lets you play as Terry McCain, dishing out ‘excessive force’ with martial arts kicks and gunplay through corrupted Chicago streets. Features a 90s synth-wave soundtrack.
• Justice is My Jam” T-Shirt: A premium cotton t-shirt featuring a stylized graphic of Terry McCain mid-kick with a subtle piano keyboard motif, and the witty phrase ‘Justice is My Jam.’ Available in various sizes.
• The Art of the 90s Action Film (Hardcover Book): A comprehensive look into the era of the ’90s action film, featuring behind-the-scenes stories, interviews with stars like Thomas Ian Griffith, and analysis of iconic fight choreography.

🎧 Soundtrack

Excessive Force features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Pigeon On The Gate” – performed by Traditional (Performed by James Early)
• “Chicago Under Siege” – performed by Charles Bernstein
• “Jazzed Up Justice” – performed by The Terry McCain Quartet

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Excessive Force (1993) – Comedic Movie Review

Ever wondered what happened to Thomas Ian Griffith after this movie? This comedic review of ‘Excessive Force’ is pretty hilarious and really captures the essence of what this action flick was going for, even if it didn’t quite hit the mark – totally worth a watch for a good laugh!

✨ Rate