Tango & Cash Is Still Flawed Yet Entertaining 35 Years Later

As a seasoned movie buff with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that Tango & Cash is a rollercoaster ride of a movie, a wild and wacky journey that leaves you both entertained and bewildered in equal measure.

Having grown up in the 80s and 90s, I’ve seen my fair share of action flicks, and Tango & Cash certainly fits snugly into that category. The movie is a veritable smorgasbord of explosions, car chases, and one-liners that would make even the most stoic of individuals crack a smile.

However, it’s not all sunshine and roses when it comes to this film. Tango & Cash is a prime example of a production plagued by behind-the-scenes turmoil, with changes and alterations being made at every turn. The script wasn’t finished, actors came and went like leaves in the wind, and the studio interfered more than a meddling mother-in-law at a family gathering.

Despite these challenges, Tango & Cash still manages to deliver some genuine laughs and thrilling action scenes that make it a fun watch for those who appreciate the cheesy charm of 80s cinema. And let’s not forget the timeless one-liners, which are as memorable as the taste of a well-cooked schnitzel on a crisp autumn evening in Vienna.

In conclusion, Tango & Cash is a bit like a plate of spaghetti Bolognese – messy, full of unexpected ingredients, and ultimately satisfying in its own way. So grab a fork, sit back, and enjoy the ride! Just remember to keep a bottle of Chianti nearby – you’ll need it to wash down all that flavor!

As a gamer, I often find myself reminiscing about classic ’80s action flicks, yet Tango & Cash somehow gets overlooked in those conversations. Released in 1989, some argue that this buddy cop movie leans more towards the ’90s aesthetic, while others claim it veers too far into camp and quirkiness to fit the traditional mold. However, despite its eccentricities, I’m consistently amazed that a film as offbeat as Tango & Cash even made it to the big screen and continues to entertain us today, given all the obstacles it faced behind the scenes.

In this scenario, Lieutenant Raymond Tango, portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, and Lieutenant Gabriel Cash, played by Kurt Russell, are two of the top-notch law enforcers in Los Angeles who engage in a playful rivalry. However, when crime lord Yves Perret (Jack Palance), tired of their interference, manipulates events to frame them and send them to prison, they must collaborate, break free, evade their former colleagues, and take down the villains while seeking retribution. This tale is timeless, straightforward, and difficult to botch.

In a fresh rewording: Tango is the suave, dapper cop with a knack for stock market gaming, who maintains his job for the thrill, much like a modern-day cat and mouse game. On the other hand, Cash embodies the rugged, rough-around-the-edges officer from a troubled neighborhood, seemingly overcompensating with an impressive collection of weapons. The film sets up engaging backdrops to introduce their distinct personalities, and Stallone’s portrayal pays tribute to Jackie Chan’s performance in Police Story (1985). Stallone and Russell deliver convincing performances as actors, demonstrating a solid chemistry through their witty humor and physical comedy exchanges. Despite engaging in humorous discussions about their manhood and enduring crude fart jokes, they manage to make their roles believable.

In this film, Teri Hatcher, best known for her role in Lois & Clark, captivates us as Katherine, a love interest whose relationship with the other lawman remains somewhat humorously unclear. She’s a talented drum-playing dancer at a club that’s not quite a strip club, helping Cash evade the authorities. The scene where Russell disguises himself in women’s clothing for a ruse is particularly memorable. The villains pursuing our heroes, who are under Perret’s employment, include notable actors such as Brion James (The Fifth Element, Blade Runner), James Hong (Big Trouble in Little China, Chinatown), Marc Alaimo (Gul Dukat from Star Trek: Deep Space Nine), and Robert Z’Dar (Maniac Cop, Samurai Cop). Many other familiar character actors can be spotted with smaller roles in the movie.

 “Come on you meat puppet! Who pulls your strings!?”

As a long-time enthusiast of action movies and someone who has seen my fair share of prison break films, I must admit that “The movie truly starts when the pair get incarcerated” is a statement that resonates with me. The plot twist of them performing unofficial police work off the books was both intriguing and entertaining, as it allowed me to appreciate their ingenuity in piecing together clues until the explosive ending.

The final scene with the weaponized RV was a thrilling spectacle, reminiscent of the iconic A-Team van but with a modern twist, much like Tesla’s Cybertruck prototype. The high-speed chase, intense battles against construction equipment, hail of bullets, and explosions made for an exhilarating action ride that kept me on the edge of my seat.

The hostage situation added an extra layer of tension and suspense to the storyline, making it feel almost predictable but still enjoyable with its unique tone that seemed borrowed from another movie entirely. Filming began before the team had a chance to work on the ending, which might explain why Tango & Cash felt formulaic until the climax, when the plot took an unexpected turn.

Overall, I found this film to be a rollercoaster ride of adrenaline-pumping action sequences and clever plot twists that kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s not often that a movie can keep me guessing while still delivering the excitement and suspense I crave in an action film, but Tango & Cash managed to do just that.

As a passionate gamer, let me share my take on how the creation of Tango & Cash unfolded from an idea called The Setup. Initially, it was a straightforward concept that got tangled up due to studio intervention and input from various parties. This cinematic rollercoaster was birthed by two visionaries who later became producers of the film – Jon Peters, infamous for styling Barbara Streisand’s hairdo, and Kevin Smith, known for his anecdotes about trying to insert a colossal spider in the Nicolas Cage Superman flick. Adding fuel to the fire was Peter Gruber, a heavyweight in Hollywood and part-owner of the Golden State Warriors and Dodgers. With so many egos clashing on set, it seemed they barely spoke by the end of production.

Andrei Konchalovsky, the esteemed Russian filmmaker known for works like “Uncle Vanya” and “Runaway Train,” was enlisted for this project, renowned for delivering genuine cinematic experiences. However, an unexpected twist arose as his vision for the script diverged significantly from what one might expect. Together with Stallone, he conceived a gritty, realistic police drama filled with intense, raw scenes and potentially more realistic violence. Yet, Peters’ ideas steered the narrative towards a more satirical and almost comedic tone, which seemed to align with Stallone’s eventual approach. Humorous elements, such as self-referential lines about Rambo and references to a “Danish,” apparently a wink at his divorce from Brigitte Nielsen, were among the numerous jokes added to various scenes by him and others.

“He thinks he’s Rambo.” “Rambo is a pussy.” 

Eventually, Konchalovsky was both compensated and dismissed from the project. In the final weeks, Albert Magnoli, renowned for directing Prince’s Purple Rain video, stepped in alongside Peter MacDonald, the second-unit director. The film credits indicate a single director, but various sources acknowledge three individuals as having contributed to the direction of the movie. According to reports, editor Stuart Baird and Sylvester Stallone himself took on directing responsibilities to ensure completion of the project. It’s said that they may not have always shared the same objectives. To add to the complexity, Stallone replaced the original director of photography, Barry Sonnenfeld, allegedly due to his lighting in scenes, demonstrating Stallone’s preference for how he wants his lights arranged.

As a gamer, let me share my perspective on the production of Tango & Cash. It wasn’t just about overcoming the game’s challenges; we also faced studio hurdles that were as tough as boss battles on the highest difficulty level. The schedule was so tight, it felt like we were running against a clock set to impossible standards, making it a central issue in the lawsuit.

The script wasn’t fully written when we started shooting, and changes kept happening throughout the production, including last-minute additions of ideas. For instance, Palance had this crazy idea about using his real rats and even funded a maze for the film! However, some scenes I was supposed to act against Stallone were later removed, leaving me feeling like I never really played alongside him.

Many crew members described working on Tango & Cash as an ordeal, yet Palance seemed resilient when talking about it. But he wasn’t sugarcoating things when he called it “one of the worst experiences” he had. It was a roller coaster ride, to say the least.

Initially, Brion James and Z’Dar were intended for minor roles in the production, but their charismatic performances and unique qualities led to their roles being expanded. In Brion James’ case, an amusingly bad British accent was a factor that endeared him to the cast and crew. The casting process faced challenges from the outset; it is said that Arnold Schwarzenegger was initially considered for the character Cash, which might explain the Conan reference in the prison scene. However, Patrick Swayze declined the role, and Hatcher stepped in as a replacement too. Writer Jeffrey Boam found the process of rewriting the script excruciatingly difficult, choosing not to claim credit for his work on it.

Warner Bros. posed challenges during the editing phase, following numerous reshoots and additional footage like a revamped opening scene for Tango & Cash. Their apprehensions about the film’s rating, stemming from their experience with Cobra, led them to require Stuart Baird to extensively re-edit the project. Some believe his intervention saved the movie. The film was barely complete when it hit the presses, mere days before its release date, with several plot points, action sequences, and character deaths either omitted or obscured through quick cuts. European versions were edited even more rigorously. Given all the alterations, it’s not shocking that early trailers showed scenes that didn’t ultimately appear in the theater version.

“If you really wanted to stare death in the eye, you should have gotten married.” 

The entire production appeared chaotic, with very few people appearing to relish their time there. Even the two main actors suffered injuries – Russell sustained a torn hamstring on day one of filming, which hindered him for the rest of the project, and a fire damaged Stallone’s hair during the intense action finale. The budget also took a hit, ballooning by $20 million. Some speculate that this overspending was part of the reason Konchalovsky was dismissed, as it provided an easy scapegoat. Fortunately, the film managed to recoup its production costs, performed well on home video release, and gained popularity with the term “FUBAR.” It was also a success in Russia. Stallone even has plans for a sequel, but considering the ordeal they experienced, would anyone be willing to go through it again?

Looking back, it felt like everyone was already braced for this movie to get a rough reception. One of the headlines in that clipping from the newspaper even read, “Don’t worry about what the critics think,” suggesting viewers should just tune out the reviews. To be honest, Tango & Cash has its fair share of cinematic flaws. For starters, the pacing is off, especially during the courtroom scene, and there are some questionable jokes that fall flat. The movie also seems to jump between macho moments and the two main characters making odd comments about each other’s personal attributes. The language feels outdated, the song choices for stereotypical licensed tracks seem strange, and the score is reminiscent of Beverly Hills Cop leftovers (same composer). But despite these issues, there are still some entertaining moments, sharp quips, and the actors seem to be enjoying themselves. Critics may have deemed it a waste of time and talent, but I’d say it’s at least somewhat enjoyable even today.

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2024-12-31 01:42