Royce (1994) (TV)

User Rating:

4.8/10   

Director:

Rod Holcomb

Writer (WGA):

Paul Bernbaum (written by)

Release Date:

3 April 1994 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Comedy | Thriller

Plot:

Royce is a member of the ultra-secret service "Black Hole", working for the US Government on top-secret missions...

Plot Keywords:

Revenge | Spy | Train | Kidnapping | Nuclear

Cast

James Belushi	...	Shane Royce
Miguel Ferrer	...	Gribbon
Peter Boyle	...	Huggins
Chelsea Field	...	Marnie Paymer
Anthony Head	...	Pitlock
Marie-Françoise Theodore	...	Jerri Sloan (as Marie Theodore)
Paris Jefferson	...	Brenda
James McKenna	...	Danny Scanlon (as Nevyn McKenna)
Michael Shannon	...	Senator Scanlon (as Michael J. Shannon)
Susan Denaker	...	Dee Scanlon
Christopher Fairbank	...	Kupchak
William Marsh	...	Rafkin
Ralph Ineson	...	Newfold
Daniel Kash	...	Tommy McFain
Michael Halsey	...	Oken

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Ultra Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Germany:16 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Company:

Gerber Company

Goofs:

Continuity: Royce kicks open a door that has a pneumatic door closer on it, and yet in the next shot the door quickly flies open and bounces against a wall.

Soundtrack:

Low Impact Funk

Pretty poor in all areas but just watchable

Royce is part of a secret group within the US government that is disbanded. The members of the group turn to crime and swear revenge on the senator that disbanded the group, however Royce chooses not to join them but instead sets out to find their plan and stop them.

I taped this as it was described as a spoof, however it was immediately apparent that I had been sold a dud! The film isn't really funny at any point, even if it has a sort of lackadaisical relaxed humour to it that makes it have the air of a comedy if not the laughs. Looking at the plot and delivery I can see that it never wanted to be a spoof, more an amiable action movie on a tvm budget. The scenes are mostly watchable despite the fact that the low production values of the film show in almost every regard. The script is clichéd and the action rather stilted and A-Team-like, but it is still watchable.

The main reason the film is just about watchable is that Belushi is quite amiable in the lead role. His character is dumb and I think he knows it - however he doesn't take it too seriously and is enjoyable despite everything else. Ferrer is good as the main villain, doing essentially what he normally does in second-rate films. Boyle has a minor, insignificant role and doesn't make much difference. Jefferson is quite cute but is just one big `female sidekick' stereotype.

Overall this is a pretty poor film that will annoy most of those who tune it to watch it. It must be said that a film who's main selling point is James Belushi is in real trouble and that is the case here. It's watchable if you are really looking for something that can be on in the background while you do chores in another room but as entertainment for 90 minutes? Forget about it!