Movie Review: Point of No Return

Released: 1993

Reviewed: 1.12.10
Star rating: 4 out of 5

Bridget Fonda (Maggie/Nina), Gabriel Byrne (Bob), Dermot Mulroney (JP), Miguel Ferrer (Kaufman), Anne Bancroft (Amanda), Harvey Keitel (Cleaner).

After being put to death by lethal injection for killing a cop what do you do when you wake up and are still alive? Become a government assassin, or be killed for real this time, of course! Maggie goes along with the plan, doing the dirty work, all the while looking for a way out of the life she has created.

This American remake of La Femme Nikita, which I have never seen, kicks off well with some good action that supports the plot to come and provides some character background. After that things get dramatic with bouts of action until close to the end when things get frenzied for a bit. The plot is good and solid with a story that flows well. The film easily could have been a bit longer with more, and more detailed, action scenes and exploration of the dramatic side which might have helped since it felt a bit rushed.

Acting was good from Fonda with nice energy and role changes. Not to mention she is fun to look at. Byrne and Mulroney both did a good job supporting while Ferrer further refined his role as a jerk. Keitel and Bancroft also contributed nicely to the film.

Camera work, sets and backgrounds were all nicely done and the film apparently had a decent budget. Effects cenetered around physical violence and a nice explosion and were also well done. Sound was a bit rough with extreme highs and lows while dialogue was good.

Overall this is a very enjoyable action flick that is very good in many areas but excellent in none. Well worth the watch so put this in the top half of your Must See list. With violence, foul language, mild sexuality and nudity, save this for older teens and above.