8 Movies That Don't Deserve The Hate
4. Hudson Hawk
The day I saw "Die Hard" was a definitive moment of my life movie wise. Along with "Big Trouble In Little China" the impact it had on me is still relevant to this day as I am a HUGE Bruce Willis fan. Although might I add that even though it was not marketed for kids, I also used to watch "Moonlighting." When it comes to my all time favourite list of films you will find 4, count them, 4 Bruce Willis movies nicely stacked in their alongside Kurt Russell's immortal Jack Burton (and Snake Plissken). But it was this iconic 80's action spectacular that sold me on all things BRUCE! Which is why when I first read people's reaction to this slapstick action comedy known as "Hudson Hawk" at first I was like "NO, BRUCE CAN DO NO WRONG!" But as I grew a little older and a little wiser and allowed myself to be open to other people opinions, well, I still couldn't figure out why people seemingly hate this with a passion. For those who may not be aware, this was a pet project of Bruce's along with his friend and fellow co star Danny Aiello (himself a fantastic actor in his own right). It tells the tale of Hudson Hawk, who upon being released from prison is blackmailed into robbing the Vatican by the CIA, a megalomaniacal corporate tyrant and his psychotic wife. It was not only a commercial and critical failure but due to its massive financial losses forced Tri Star pictures to merge with Columbia to avoid going completely bankrupt. It also caused a slump in Bruce Willis's career that looked to all but end his status as a bonafide movie star until his performance as "Butch Coolidge" in Pulp Fiction elevated him back to the heights of post Die Hard fame. But as I said, I honestly don't understand the unadulterated hatred that this movie apparently brings out in people. I thoroughly enjoy this film. I did both as a young Brucie boy and I still do now as a contemporary film buff. The humour is truly surreal and quite unique as slapstick is not normally associated with an action piece. In fact to my knowledge this was the first time it was ever attempted in a mainstream release. If it's not then at least at the time there was nothing really like it. Maybe the masses weren't ready to see Bruce make a parody of his newly found action star status, maybe it was because they saw fit not to dilute the end product with edits to get that elusive "pg" rating which affected the numbers? Or maybe I still suffer from Bruce fever and can't get past the actual fact that it sucks balls?
But whatever the reason, the masses loathe this film whereas I simply adore it. Although I do admit I find the score and sound effects sometimes off putting, it does not change my opinion on how clever and original this movie is and was for its time. Bruce Willis doing a parody of Bruce Willis, Action Star (or any other action star of the late 80's, early 90's) is cinematic gold that has been all but blocked out in the memories of the every day moviegoer. Which is unfortunate as I think this is one little lost feature in Bruce Willis's long and extensive filmography that deserves a second look. Especially after how they mishandled John McClane's character in the last "Die Hard" installment, I think it is more relevant then ever.