Alicia
I love this movie so much
SnoReptilePlenty
Memorable, crazy movie
Curapedi
I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.
ThedevilChoose
When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.
stevegordon9
This Frankenheimer film is beautifully done. Jerry Beck is a troubled cop whose journey across states after a neo-Nazi killer also becomes a personal journey of self-discovery. The cast, headed by Don Johnson, is wonderfully played by all and even includes Evans Evans, John Frankenheimer's wife and widow, in a chilling performance. (Yes,you read right, her name is really Evans Evans and she was married to JF for 39 years as well as being a terrific character actress mainly through the 1960s and 1970s.) There are many other cast surprises in what is a surprisingly grippingly tense and efficient thriller. This is a great Frankenheimer film, right up there with his best. I cannot speak too highly about Don Johnson and the Nazi villain of the piece. They give this film both tension and comic relief in what are beautifully measured performances. This is an 80s classic by one of cinema's great directors.
neldodm
I write this commentary because I'm surprised of the low rate that people gave to this movie. I repeat: I give this film a 9! Allow me to say that is a John Frankenheimer's film. I mean, all his movies are great! This one is funny, but a serious film, with an excellent plot, good dialogs, all the actors -his performances- are very credible, an intrigue that keeps you interested about what is going to happen next, suspense, action scenes very well filmed, even at least two moments of fine humor. All these elements provides a 9/10 points and elevate this film to another category. It's not a B realization. Even more, the story about a sect of fanatic racist people which exists in real life (not this one in particular, but there are hundreds of them in the United States), so it gives to the film a particular point of view about this sad reality. It almost can be watched as a documentary. Very good film, it's been edited in DVD. Don't loose the opportunity to watch it! And also with all the others movies of John Frankenheimer, take a look of his list as director. All excellent
James Bourke
As underrated actors go, Don Johnson must surely rank pretty high. However in saying that, if you peruse through his back catalogue of movies you will certainly find many a gem that has made the man what he is today.For sheer emotion and heart rendering, just take a look at 'Ceasefire' and 'Paradise' for a romantic comedy look beyond the remake of 'Born Yesterday' and head straight to 'Sweethearts Dance' and without a doubt if you are looking for a thriller with a hard edge look no further than 'Dead Bang' Whilst watching it bear in mind 'Miami Vice' and consider the character of Jerry Beck to be the darker side of Sonny Crockett.Looking like ten miles of rough road, Don Johnson essays the role of a world weary downtrodden Jerry Beck to the max. This is a man carrying the world on his shoulders, his private life has gone down the toilet and his job specification doesn't look any better.As the movie begins, a black shopkeeper is gunned down, money from the cash register is taken and the killer movies on, the crime is reported, the criminal is approached by a passing patrol car, suspicions arise, the policeman is also gunned down.Enter Detective Jerry Beck, into a terrain waiting to explode into a world of hurt and anger, a world covered in darkness run by a gang of white supremacists.An absolute classic from start to finish, littered with some seriously good dialogue and acting. The two best scenes from the whole movie, consist of the infamous chase sequence between Beck and and a possible suspect, when Beck catches up with the runaway and then proceeds to throw up on him.....what absolute joy.The other scene in question has to be the one where Beck's hierarchy decide to question his mental capabilities, so they decide to send him to see the local Psychiatrist, when Beck starts to laugh and lets it be known that he thinks the man looks like Woody Allen, what happens thereafter in the scene, just has to be witnessed.Action Packed to the max, 'Dead Bang is Dead On! without hesitation this movie gets 10 out of 10
dtucker86
John Frankenheimer really outdid himself when he directed this film. What an accomplishment from the director of Birdman Of Alcatraz, The Manchurian Candidate, Seven Days In May, The Train and Black Sunday. Imagine a scene showing the films hero throwing up all over someone! What innovative filmaking. Seriously this is a typical cop thriller. Without the foul words it could have been an episode of Miami Vice. Don Johnson plays an alcoholic, down on his luck, loose cannon on the deck cop chasing white supremists through the Southwest. Johnson is an intense hero even if he isn't likeable in some ways. Theres a wonderful scene where he throws a fit after talking to his ex-wife. Theres a good foot chase involving several car accidents as well. My favorite part though is the one where he threatens the police shrink he compares to Woody Allen. I can understand why they never made Dead Bang 2 but this film is still worth your time if you like cop thrillers.