GUNMEN is another of those buddy-buddy movies that were all the rage in the early '90s after the success of the LETHAL WEAPON films. This is probably one of the most undistinguished and easiest forgotten films of that sub-genre, but what the heck, I liked it anyway. The whole reason this movie is entertaining is solely down to the casting of Christopher Lambert and Mario Van Peebles, who have one of the best double acts I've seen in a movie. The script, by MUMMY director Stephen Sommers, wisely focuses on the natural humour between the pair and because they're having a ball, the viewer does too.The story is nothing new: the hunt for an elusive boat, which becomes ultimately pointless by the climax anyway. It's just an excuse to have Peebles and Lambert being hunted through various types of terrain and gunning down villains at every opportunity. The action isn't even particularly inspired, following the '90s template of 'blow everything up', and there's little attempt at style here.But I digress. Lambert is hilarious, the funniest I've seen him, playing a slightly unhinged criminal type whose laugh is completely infectious. He's a winner on good will alone, but Peebles rises to the challenge and equals him as the sterner one of the pair. There's a fine supporting cast, too, with most performances geared towards the comedic: Denis Leary, as an icy head honcho bad guy; Patrick Stewart, as a crippled crime boss; Kadeem Hardison as the comedy relief pilot; B-movie regular Brenda Bakke as a femme fatale. Still, in the end this film belongs to Lambert and Peebles. They have tons of good routines together, with the highlight being the 'first aid kit' trade-off towards the end. Still makes me chuckle just thinking about it.

This has it all - guns, comedy, a stupid plot, senseless violence, explosions, drug dealers, Denis Leary, cleavage, and none of that stupid emotional baggage most films seem to adopt at some point - what more could a guy want? Definitely a great movie to watch when having a few drinks with some mates. My friends all constantly come back to watching this movie after a night out, it just has everything. Great B-grade performances from some top name actors like Denis Leary, Patrick Stewart, Christopher Lambert and Mario Van Peebles. It's the sort of thing you could almost imagine yourself getting caught up in on a baaaaad holiday to South America.I don't recommend any girls watch it, though I know a few who would find it amusing. To the people who say it is super-violent, try watching the nightly 6 o'clock news. Far worse stuff happens every day in real life.

I happened to see the beginning of this picture because TIVO switched it on while I was otherwise occupied. The movie begins with a graphic and utterly repulsive scene of a woman being buried alive. The camera shows the hysterical victim being shoved into a coffin, the lid nailed down, and the coffin interred, while various bad guys look on. Her screams resound and then fade as the dirt covers the coffin. This absolutely nauseating scene is included for no other purpose than to provide a little thrill to voyeuristic sadists. It is inexcusable that an actor of Patrick Stewart's stature lent his name to a movie of this pandering quality. I have actually written to his agent about it.

If you've read any of my other movie reviews, you'll know by now that i'm a massive Christopher Lambert fan. Gunmen see's Lambert team up with Mario Van Peebles who also stars in Highlander 3 with Lambert, in the same year. Lambert is a drug smuggling rebel with a soft side and Peebles is a tough cop. They team when they hear about 400 million dollars which are hidden in a boat somewhere, so they set out to find it. In their quest there are laughs, thrills and spills galore. But the two of them don't exactly get on together, they are like two little kids argueing.For a low budget movie it's pretty good. I would say it was one of Lamberts better movies but not as good as Highlander and Fortress.If you like explosive action and guns galore, this is the one for you.Silly in parts but good fun.I rated it 7/10