Larry Cohen once again returns to script this entry in the series; this time, undead cop Matt Cordell (Robert Z'Dar, "Tango & Cash") is resurrected by a voodoo master (Julius Harris, "Live and Let Die") for no really good reason. Matt takes it upon himself to clear the name of Kate Sullivan (Gretchen Becker, "Ed Wood"), a risk-taking, aggressive cop. Kate had been on the scene during a robbery, but so had an unscrupulous news crew, who edit their footage to make it look like she shot the "hostage" in cold blood. Also out to clear Kates' name is her protector & friend, Sean McKinney (Robert Davi, "Predator 2").
The least inspired of the "Maniac Cop" series (with the first sequel being the most interesting), this nevertheless makes for decent entertainment. However, this time Matt / Z'Dar just isn't given as much to do, as the action focuses on other lead and supporting characters. Davi is good as usual, and the cast includes a number of other familiar faces: Paul Gleason ("Die Hard"), Doug Savant ('Melrose Place'), Grand L. Bush ("The Exorcist III: Legion"), Jackie Earle Haley ("Watchmen"), Bobby Di Cicco ("The Big Red One"), and Frank Pesce ("Vigilante"), with Robert Forster ("Jackie Brown") and Ted Raimi ("The Grudge") contributing great cameos. It's the cast that keeps this watchable, although the stunts are well done (there are some effective fire gags) and the movie is reasonably well shot (by Jacques Haitkin ("A Nightmare on Elm Street")) in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
Considering that Cohen apparently concocted this script on the fly (dictating it over a car phone!), the story is fairly enjoyable, and it does move along pretty well. In any event, the prospect of seeing reprehensible characters get what's coming to them does always make for good visceral entertainment.
William Lustig, who'd directed the previous two entries, departed the project due to his frustrations with it; producer Joel Soisson had to step in to direct some additional material. (An early Blu / DVD release credited the pseudonymous "Allan Smithee" as director.)
In general, "Badge of Silence" is an okay sequel, but not a patch on its predecessors.
Five out of 10.
The least inspired of the "Maniac Cop" series (with the first sequel being the most interesting), this nevertheless makes for decent entertainment. However, this time Matt / Z'Dar just isn't given as much to do, as the action focuses on other lead and supporting characters. Davi is good as usual, and the cast includes a number of other familiar faces: Paul Gleason ("Die Hard"), Doug Savant ('Melrose Place'), Grand L. Bush ("The Exorcist III: Legion"), Jackie Earle Haley ("Watchmen"), Bobby Di Cicco ("The Big Red One"), and Frank Pesce ("Vigilante"), with Robert Forster ("Jackie Brown") and Ted Raimi ("The Grudge") contributing great cameos. It's the cast that keeps this watchable, although the stunts are well done (there are some effective fire gags) and the movie is reasonably well shot (by Jacques Haitkin ("A Nightmare on Elm Street")) in the 2.35:1 aspect ratio.
Considering that Cohen apparently concocted this script on the fly (dictating it over a car phone!), the story is fairly enjoyable, and it does move along pretty well. In any event, the prospect of seeing reprehensible characters get what's coming to them does always make for good visceral entertainment.
William Lustig, who'd directed the previous two entries, departed the project due to his frustrations with it; producer Joel Soisson had to step in to direct some additional material. (An early Blu / DVD release credited the pseudonymous "Allan Smithee" as director.)
In general, "Badge of Silence" is an okay sequel, but not a patch on its predecessors.
Five out of 10.