Extreme Justice (1993)

I love this movie so much

Better Late Then Never

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

Actress is magnificent and exudes a hypnotic screen presence in this affecting drama.

A story about one of the most controversial units ever devised. The S.I.S. A rogue unit made to take out the criminal element with extreme swift justice. For many who delve into the legal system it shows just how far policemen will go to either take in their targets, or just riddle them full of bullets as the only answer to diffuse a dangerous situation. Criminals do not have honour in any sense of the word namely for the wild west theory. It's better to go out in a blaze of glory than be stuck in a prison where they get three meals, and a TV, or some chocolate tubing by a cell mate. Lou Diamond Philips plays his role as a lone wolf cop who understands the right, and wrong of what his partner (Scott Glenn) is doing but is placed between a rock, and a hard place simply for the fact that the criminals need to be put down.Yet the price is way too high. Watching a crime taking place then giving a one warning, which leads to a shootout is why Powers (Philips) is so devastated by his crew. To see once good cops becoming the very same element in the name of justice creates a rift between he, and his team, which ultimately leads toward a showdown. Many who watched this movie often remarked at just how efficient it is to just negate the criminal altogether since it was their choice to begin with. Like the old west, where justice came in the form of a gun and resolve to use it in the face of tyrannical regimes on the streets. Agreeably I can say that many criminals do need a bullet, but more than likely there will always be innocents in the middle ground.This was a very good film for its gritty portrayal of cops who underneath only wants peace in their city. Except to attain it they for went their humanity in order to achieve such a notion. The S.I.S. was at a time a very influential division until many of the stories that abounded from eye witnesses caused a huge upheaval in the L.A. police department. Scores of testimonies led to arrests, and sentences against those in power as well as the many police officers who got involved in such a covert squad. The shoot outs were intense, as well as the violent outcomes of each engagement. Great casting, and wonderful blue collar script that the audience could relate to for the working classes.In many ways... crime has become a sustainable asset for those in high offices but also in key government positions. Drugs, weapons, human trafficking, and black ops are what is the norm now a days. The only thing missing are the rogue squads that had no compunction of shooting a criminal to death in order to save the tax payers monetary issues or pressures. It costs over fifty thousand dollars an inmate today to keep them inside living comfortably around those who have a better way to pull of a criminal act. It is a learning institute in itself for those who are about to be released from prison. Once out... they still have the choice of moving on, or keep going as before but with new insight from his former inmates. Perhaps today's criminal needs a new squad. And if by chance witnesses are there to see it, will hopefully evacuate the area before shooting begins. The final thing any criminal, and policeman should have is a tumbleweed rolling across the asphalt.

The story tells about an undercover L.A.P.D. anti-crime squad Special Investigative Service (SIS) headed by Detective Vaughn (Scott Glenn) whose 'take-no-prisoner' technique in crime control is being investigated by a crime reporter. Enter Detective Powers (Lou Diamond Phillips) a 'loose cannon' into his death squad. Powers, an old friend of Vaughn's whom he recommended to join the squad, deals with criminals the same way Vaughn does, so Vaughn's violent approach to dealing with target criminals gets his full support. But when one of their men broke down during a bloody stakeout, Powers begins to question his own involvement in the clandestine squad and his teammates' trigger- happy ways in dealing with the lowlifes.The name Mark L. Lester should be quite familiar to those who grew up watching action films in the 80's. His name stuck on my mind right after watching Commando (1985). Extreme Justice is another typical example of his 'brutal' approach to depicting hardcore action sequences onto the screen. That's his trademark. Just see Class of 1984, Showdown in Little Tokyo, Class of 1999, and Night of the Running Man. This is what makes action film aficionados like me excited when seeing his work.Besides the above average story line, another thing that lifts this film a notch is the score by David Michael Frank, which creates a brooding atmosphere throughout the film. Frank's other commendable works include Code of Silence and Above the Law. What gives this film a slight edge over other films in the genre is that the plot provides a food for thought – about how crime in big cities should actually be dealt with by the law: through violence or what other possible ways?, and what are our responsibilities as citizens to help alleviate this increasingly unsolvable social problem? If you like thinking-man's police thriller, peppered with violent action scenes, this may satisfy you.

Supposedly this film when it came out caused a bit of a stir and controversy by claiming that the idea behind the premise (an elite group of LAPD cops operating outside normal police guidelines that target high-profile criminals) was inspired by facts. The idea is scary (bystanders sometimes considered necessary sacrifices), but not particularly new as it did remind me of the Dirty Harry sequel; "Magnum Force". Although this death squad were not rogues operating outside the law as in that film; well that's what they like to think in what is an official unit. "Extreme Justice" might be audacious, but what occurs is by-the-book and formulaic. Director Mark L. Lester's mechanically brazen handling balances the tough action with the not-so black-and-white context. Some set-pieces are frenetic and raw, chucking in foot-chases, car-chases, bloody shootouts and Mark Irwin's sweeping photography. Sure it can be somewhat heavy-handed and morally bounded, but Lester keeps it reality bounded and it's the lead performance of Scott Glenn that sells it. He plays the leader of the S.I.S (Special Investigation Section) unit. Glenn's outstanding performance is lean, but also ballsy and cynical as you can see it beginning to affect him. Lou Diamond Phillips suitably plays the brash, but idealistically rough newcomer to the squad who actually begins to question the methods in how they go about getting the job done. Watching the two go at it fuelled some tension in between the set- ups after set-ups. There's good support from the likes of Yaphet Kotto, Chelsea Field, Richard Grove, William Lucking, L. Scott Caldwall and Ed Lauter as the police captain. Daniel Quinn and Andrew Divoff play some criminals. While also look for action stuntman Larry Holt and stuntman / actor Bob Minor."Trust me amigo. You're made for this work."

Fans of good action films will find "Extreme Justice" to their liking. What elevates this police special squad film above the competition, is the interesting and effective cast. You rarely see Scott Glenn, Lou Diamond Phillips, Ed Lauter, and Yaphet Kotto all together in one exciting movie. Ethical questions aside, "Extreme Justice" delivers the death squad justice in massive doses. If you are a fan of any of the above actors, then seek this one out, because you will not be disappointed. My only objection is that the female lead, Chelsea Field, playing a snoopy reporter, is rather bland, cold, and ultimately forgettable. - MERK