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The Hard Way

Play trailer Poster for The Hard Way R 1991 1h 51m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 25 Reviews 53% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
Seeking to raise his credibility as an actor and to land a role as a tough cop on a new show, Hollywood action star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox) works a deal with New York City Police Capt. Brix (Delroy Lindo), who by chance is one of his fans. Nick will be paired with detective Lt. John Moss (James Woods) and learn how to act like a real cop. But when Nick drives John crazy with questions and imitating him, he gets in the way of John's pursuit of a serial killer (Stephen Lang).
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Critics Consensus

The Hard Way's overly familiar formula is enlivened by a witty script and the excellent comedic chemistry between Michael J. Fox and James Woods.

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Critics Reviews

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Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3.5/4
There is nothing very remarkable about The Hard Way, except for its comic energy, but the energy of this movie is everything, reminding me of the wisecracking, hard-boiled screwball comedies of the 1940s. Go to Full Review Eddie Harrison film-authority.com Jul 1
3/5
‘…mooted as a vehicle for Gene Hackman/Kevin Klein, this street-smart buddy-cop movie doesn’t re-invent the wheel, but provides some gentle amusements…fun and entertaining to watch, not stinting on flying police-cars and death-defying cliff-hanger action… Go to Full Review Rene Jordan El Nuevo Herald (Miami) 08/03/2023
Even with all its disparate effects, The Hard Way is entertaining until the last half hour. [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Joanna Langfield Video Review 08/08/2022
2/4
I always enjoy watching Fox and Woods, who can be counted upon for at least a few entertainingly quirky moments. Pairing them makes for a scrappy match. Too bad the vehicle isn't quite as intriguing as the casting. Go to Full Review Ed Travis Cinapse 10/09/2020
Everyone in the formidable cast of The Hard Way seems to have gotten the memo that this was to be a "good time at the movies". Go to Full Review Mike Massie Gone With The Twins 09/14/2020
7/10
The formula of pairing a seasoned, serious, violent, tough-guy with a goofy, inexperienced youngster has been done before, yet there's still something humorous about it. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Stephen C @bob25009 Jul 22 Funny in 1 hour and 51 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $24,500,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more thiago s @Thiagostone May 25 Filme fraco, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom. See more Bahad j 08/06/2024 There is no way not to praise each other's actors in this film. Really great acting. Of course, the main character was the best. See more Geke g 08/05/2024 Rest in peace for my liver See more Munkhchimeg T 08/05/2024 Hilarious movie. Laughed out loud. Almost cried 😂😂 See more Michael S 04/01/2024 This film is exactly how you would spend a boring day at home. Incredibly entertaining & very funny. Michael J. Fox and James Woods are great together. Very cool movie. See more Read all reviews
The Hard Way

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Cast & Crew

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John Badham

Director

Michael J. Fox

Nick Lang

James Woods

Detective Lt. John Moss

Stephen Lang

Party Crasher

Annabella Sciorra

Susan

John Capodice

Detective Grainy

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The Hard Way

The Hard Way (1991) The Hard Way (1991) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Seeking to raise his credibility as an actor and to land a role as a tough cop on a new show, Hollywood action star Nick Lang (Michael J. Fox) works a deal with New York City Police Capt. Brix (Delroy Lindo), who by chance is one of his fans. Nick will be paired with detective Lt. John Moss (James Woods) and learn how to act like a real cop. But when Nick drives John crazy with questions and imitating him, he gets in the way of John's pursuit of a serial killer (Stephen Lang).
Director
John Badham
Producer
William Sackheim, Rob Cohen
Screenwriter
Daniel Pyne, Lem Dobbs
Production Co
Universal Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA)
$24.5M
Runtime
1h 51m
Sound Mix
Surround
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