What's good about this flick? The gorgeous Anita Morris plays Nelson's stepmother and the woman oozes sex appeal. A wonderfully smarmy performance by Paul Winfield as a corrupt police chief. David Caruso acts circles around his co-star Judd Nelson. Some really nice shots of the coastline while Nelson rides his hog down the interstate. Ry Cooder's bluesy score is just a treat to listen to and captures the atmosphere of the settings.What's bad about it? Ally Sheedy and Judd Nelson aren't trying at all; they look like they're here for the paycheck and nothing more. They exhibit no chemistry in any of their scenes together, and Nelson looks like he's reciting all of his lines in the least interested manner possible, and Sheedy looks as though she'd rather be anywhere else in the world. Unfortunately, these two performers are probably the reason why most people would want to see this movie. I say skip it and see them in St. Elmo's Fire or better yet The Breakfast Club.

Judd Nelson playing the part of Burt Reynolds. I always thought that was the best way to describe this film. That description is not meant to take anything away from it. Just a description of it.Like in many of Reynolds' roles, Nelson plays a smart mouthed wisecracking anti-hero. He's not nearly as sure of himself as his pretends to be. Like many of Reynolds' characters, Nelson's Billy Turner is making it up as he goes along as he seeks rough justice. Unlike many action adventure films, the outcome is in doubt. Turner is not an invincible killing machine.I remember seeing it when it came out. I thought it was a fun film worth watching. The theme is appealing. I think it's an underrated film and the proof the critics' opinions are just that: opinions and therefore subjective. You have to see it for yourself.

The film got quite bad reviews mainly because it hasn't got a lot to do with Ross McDonald's brilliant novel about a veteran returning to his home town and finding it completely corrupted. This adaptation is more aimed at a teen audience, so the veteran becomes an young man who left as a teenager and the prostitute he befriends becomes a childhood sweetheart. The story is extremely simplified. However, the film is actually quite well made. The storyline and the way it's told resembles more a Budd Boetticher western about the cowboy who cleans up town. The acting/casting is pretty good, the film is fast paced and well told and Ry Cooder's soundtrack is absolutely amazing. There is of course a lot of violence, some of it rather mindless but in the end the cocky avenger gets his come-uppance. I found it a very entertaining and really well put together film and also pretty stylish in a Miami Vice kind of way.

Judd Nelson does some butt kicking in this film. This was released during the Brat Pack days following Breakfast Club and St. Elmo's Fire. The 3rd film in a row that paired Judd with Ally Sheedy. The subject matter is serious but Judd brings much needed comedy to his role, kind of an everyman Rambo character. An entertaining film to watch especially if you like Judd.