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Subterfuge

Subterfuge (1996)

February. 23,1996
|
4
|
R
| Drama Action

Scuba-diver turned beach-bum Jonathan Slade is forced back into his previous milieu - the world of international espionage - in order to retrieve Black Boxes from an American jetliner that crashed under mysterious circumstances into the Black Sea. With his computer-hacker younger brother, Slade travels to a resort on the Russian-Turkish border to begin his quest. To his surprise and dismay, he's now joined by another secret agent, a beautiful but highly-skilled woman named Alex. As they begin diving in search of the downed jetliner, Slade and Alex begin to suspect they're being manipulated by higher-ups who may not be committed to American interests.

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Reviews

Solemplex
1996/02/23

To me, this movie is perfection.

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MusicChat
1996/02/24

It's complicated... I really like the directing, acting and writing but, there are issues with the way it's shot that I just can't deny. As much as I love the storytelling and the fantastic performance but, there are also certain scenes that didn't need to exist.

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Rosie Searle
1996/02/25

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

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Quiet Muffin
1996/02/26

This movie tries so hard to be funny, yet it falls flat every time. Just another example of recycled ideas repackaged with women in an attempt to appeal to a certain audience.

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Comeuppance Reviews
1996/02/27

Jonathan Slade (McColm) is a retired Military hero whose current profession is listed as "Beach Bum". His brother Alfie (Gould) is your classic computer nerd who uses his skills to become a petty criminal. When a plane carrying something valuable (no spoiler alerts here) crashes into the Black Sea, the CIA, and Stallworth Hubbs (Turman) in particular says "Get me Slade!" So the Slade brothers go to a resort town in Russia to fight the baddies and get the black box of the airplane to try and find some answers. While there, they team up with Alex (Pays), and a series of fights, car chases, underwater scenes, boat chases, and complete silliness ensues.Subterfuge is a lot of bright, upbeat fun and truly is a rollicking adventure. You know when you see the barfight introducing Slade, which is the wackiest we've seen since Radical Jack (2000), that you're in for a funny good time. Matt McColm is a far better central hero than, say, Frank Zagarino, and his meatheadiness contrasts well with his brother in classic "odd couple" fashion. Jason Gould, the son of Barbra Streisand and Elliott Gould, steals the movie with his quasi-annoying yet somehow likable performance. His scientific ideas sure do come in handy, especially in a scene involving a whale which may be a first in an action movie (or any movie). Amanda Pays does well as the action heroine/love interest for McColm, and Richard Brake as "Pierce Tencil" really throws himself into his role. Director Herb Freed is probably best known for the 80's slasher Graduation Day (1981), but is also responsible for the Mike Norris vehicle Survival Game (1987).The movie is filled with funny incidental characters as well, everyone from the standard "wacky taxi driver" to the nightclub singer. Thanks to the humor, as well as some "memorable" editing, Subterfuge is an enjoyable romp. Plus it has great "90's tech" such as CD-ROM-style computers that beep and make "thwacking" sounds when you use them, as well as 90's fashion choices like hiked up jeans with a T-shirt tucked in. McColm's signature fighting move seems to be to fall on his opponent from a high distance up while yelling.Sure, it may have a low budget (just check out the opening plane sequence with its Star Trek-style camera shaking to indicate turbulence, as well as the plentiful stock footage, the fact that it was released by Platinum Disc, etc., etc, ), but Subterfuge is, against all odds, a winner. For hilariously implausible fun, check out Subterfuge.For more action insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

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gridoon
1996/02/28

Not a bad little actioner. Matt McColm shows impressive martial arts ability...at first I was thinking "Who the hell is this guy?", but it soon becomes clear that he knows his stuff, plus he has a sense of humor about himself. Jason Gould takes the "nerdy computer whiz" role and gives it a human face. And Amanda Pays is a very solid female addition to the cast. The film has quite a lot of action, and an undercurrent of offbeat humor that makes it a little different from your typical low-budget action flick. My main two complaints are: not enough hand-to-hand combat scenes (none for Pays, who does play an ex-marine, after all), and a few too many underwater scenes (and we all know how rarely those work in the movies). (**)

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Sheldon Aubut
1996/02/29

CIA, Russian, Drug Smugglers, Handsome men and beautiful women, what more could one ask in a movie. Plot maybe? Or at least one that didn't have more holes than a pound of swiss cheese. Jonathan (Matt McColm) is hired to recover the black box from a civilian aircraft shot down by the Russians. He drags along his sidekick, the computer nerd, and the attactive Alex (Amanda Pays)on an adventure where he gets to use stealth boats, lots of scuba gear, and his feet and fists and spend time lounging on beaches every time there are a few extra minutes.There were so many goofs and mistakes in the movie that if someone ever documents them in the "goofs" area they would take a day to print out.In a restaurant scene a bad guy perfectly shoots a singer in the center of the forehead from thirty feet away with a handgun on his first shot. Then he proceeds to miss everyone else until his gun is empty. The movie was full of things like that. If you watch this movie be prepared to suspend belief for the duration.

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savanna-2
1996/03/01

This may not be a bang on action flick, but the chemistry between the three leads, including the buffed Matt McColm and Amanda Pays works. Additionally, the genius brother, adds not only the needed "intelligence" but also the bits of comic relief. Not a 10, but definitely not a zero. Also found it interesting that Russia and the USA are referenced as "allies" quite a few times throughout the film. Also appreciated the time taken to study and accurately depict the major cities of the smaller, former "eastern block" countries.

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