Film Review: K-9 (1989)

Film Review: K-9 (1989) | Ecency

(source: tmdb.org)

In the era when Hollywood made buddy cop films with protagonists partnered with convicts, Soviets or aliens, it was inevitable that some of those pairings would feature man’s best friend. One of those films was K-9, action comedy directed by Rod Daniel.

Protagonist, played by Jim Belushi, is Michael Dooley, San Diego police detective who is determined to bring down powerful drug lord Lyman (played by Kevin Tighe). Dooley likes to work alone but reluctantly gets one after receiving tip about major drug shipment that could be intercepted only with special skill. His partner is Jerry Lee (played by Rando), German shepherd specialised for drug-sniffing. Dooley is rather inexperienced with animals and all this leads to awkward situation both at work and home, owned by his girlfriend Tracy (played by Mel Harris). Dooley and Jerry Lee nevertheless learn to work together and their efforts bring them closer to Lyman to reacts first by sending assassins and later has Tracy kidnapped in hope that this would prevent Dooley’s interception of valuable shipment.

K-9, at least judging by the script written by Steven Siegel and Scott Myers, isn’t particularly intelligent or original film. Main crime plot is collection of many 1980s police film cliches, including main villain (played well by formidable character actor Kevin Tighe) with a impeccable fashion sense and talking that make him indistinguishable from corporate elite in Reagan’s America. Protagonist is, on the other hand, advertises blue collar roots and lack of sophistication at any opportunity, but script forces audience to accept that he could win heart and maintain relationship with glamorous woman owning luxurious apartment. What makes this fantasy real to the audience is very good performance by Jim Belushi, who enthusiastically embraced rare opportunity to play leading role. Here he finally steps out of shadow of his late brother John both as credible action star and comic; he succeeds in the latter despite script providing him with mostly lame jokes. But even more impressive work is done by animal trainer Karl Lewis Miller who, together with talented editing team, created illusion of Rando being proper actor and having great “buddy buddy” chemistry with Belushi. Rod Daniel as director does solid job, keeps good pace and, at least until the somewhat weak ending, prevents audience from asking too many questions about plot and characters that would ruin all the fun. K-9, despite unenthusiastic reviews, became hit at the box office and later had two direct-to-video sequels starring Belushi.

RATING: 6/10 (++)