F/X

Australian leading man Bryan Brown stars as Rollie Tyler, a special effects artist working on horror and crime movies who is hired by a federal agent (Cliff De Young) to design and stage the "killing" of a mobster (Jerry Orbach) headed into the witness protection program. All goes according to plan until the job is finished and Rollie is framed for the murder and hunted by the government. Filmmaker Robert Mandel's 1986 crime conspiracy thriller was a modest theatrical success that went on to become one of the early hits of the video store era. The clever script tightens the noose of the frame-up around our hero like a nightmare, adding gritty well-choreographed fight scenes, and a terrific car chase while ramping up the action and the stakes. And the hook is still engaging: Rollie uses movie f/x tricks as a weapon against armed government agents. Brown is engaging as the protagonist who reveals a ruthless side when his life is in danger, and Brian Dennehy shines as an offbeat police detective who defies orders to follow up his suspicions when the corrupt feds try to cover their tracks. Diane Venora costars as an actress who gets caught up in the conspiracy. Not as well-known as other action films of the era, this is a smartly-made film that still works 30 years later. Extras include a bonus interview with Mandel. Recommended. (S. Axmaker)