Loose Cannons (1990)

0% of critics liked it
(17 reviews)
28% of users liked it
(2,709 ratings)

Loose Cannons may be a wacky buddy-cop comedy, but it starts with a chilling premise. It seems that a film is discovered that depicts the final moments of Adolf Hitler's life. The climax features young German officer Von Metz, who is seen putting Hitler to death. Von Metz (Robert Prosky) is now… More Loose Cannons may be a wacky buddy-cop comedy, but it starts with a chilling premise. It seems that a film is discovered that depicts the final moments of Adolf Hitler's life. The climax features young German officer Von Metz, who is seen putting Hitler to death. Von Metz (Robert Prosky) is now running for chancellor of West Germany. If this film gets out, his political career is finished, so Von Metz has arranged for the murder of anyone who has seen the film. The killings have taken place in the Washington area and Mac (Gene Hackman) and Ellis (Dan Aykroyd) are sent to investigate the crimes. Mac is a middle-aged veteran of the force, a professional who gets things done. But Ellis is a different ball of wax. Suffering from a multiple personality disorder, he has spent two years in a Benedictine monastery to recover from his problems. But he is far from cured -- as Mac discovers, whenever Ellis is confronted by violence, he blacks out and begins to assume the characters of popular culture icons like Popeye, Captain Kirk, and the Road Runner. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 34 min.
Directed By: Bob Clark (III), Bob Clark
Written By: Richard Christian Matheson, Richard Matheson, Bob Clark
Genres: Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense, Comedy

In Theaters: Feb 9, 1990 Wide
On DVD: Jul 8, 2003
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Variety Staff, Variety
Dan Aykroyd's dexterous multipersonality schtick is the only redeeming feature of this chase-heavy comedy.
Vincent Canby, New York Times
Mr. Hackman and Mr. Aykroyd deserve much better. They really do. Each gives a thoroughly professional performance that is consistently undercut by the direction of Mr. Clark.
Hal Hinson, Washington Post
Hackman mostly just stands around watching Aykroyd run through his exertions with the look of a man who has something unspeakable on the sole of his shoe.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
To put it bluntly, Loose Cannons is garbage.
, Time Out
A reeking stinker of a comedy.
Clint Morris, Film Threat
Fires nothing but blanks
Bob Bloom, Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
Not one of the best efforts from either Hackman or Aykroyd.
Ryan Cracknell, Apollo Guide
Quite embarrassing, really, especially with the overacting of Dan Aykroyd.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
All of this must have looked wonderful on paper, but somehow the joy of it got lost in the translation from page to screen.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Comedy as a form of torture.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Lucas M

Could be funniest, could be more good writing, could be fresh... but isn't.
Dean M

Only a few funny scenes provided by Dan Aykroyd, including one in which he imitates the Road Runner, save this uneven cop comedy.

Cast

            Gene Hackman as Mac Stern

            Dan Aykroyd as Ellis Fielding

            Dom DeLuise as Harry "The Hippo" Gutterman

            Ronny Cox as Bob Smiley

            Nancy Travis as Riva

            Paul Koslo as Grimmer

            Robert Prosky as Curt Von Metz

            Dick O'Neill as Captain

            Danny Aiello III as Grimmer's Man

            Herb Armstrong as Cheshire Cat

            Tobin Bell as Gerber

            John Bolger as Yough Von Metz

            Reg E. Cathey as Willie

            Erik Cord as Grimmer's Man

            David Correia as Orderly

            Robert Dickman as White Rabbit

            Robert Irvin Elliott as Monseigneur

            Bill Fagerbakke as Giant

            John Finn as Cop

            Arthur French as Bus Driver

            Greg Goossen as Marsh Policeman

            Brad Greenquist as Embassy Officer

            David Alan Grier as Drummond

            Adrienne Hampton as Security Guard

            Debbee Hinchcliffe as Oaf's Sweetie

            Alex Hyde-White as Moderator

            Jay Ingram as Patrolman

            Kay Joyner as Stan's Wife

            Margaret Klenck as Eva Braun

            Thomas Kopache as TV Station Man

            Gene Lebell
            
            Ira Lewis as Adolf Hitler

            Chris S. MacGregor as Military Policeman

            Al Mancini as Man Tenant

            Kevin McClarnon as Oaf

            S. Epatha Merkerson as Rachel

            Dutch Miller as Jacuzzi Guy

            Clem Moorman as Train Driver

            Christopher Murney as Stan

            Dean Mumford as Guy in Baths

            Nancy Parsons as Nurse

            Robert Pentz as Guy at Bar

            Susan Peretz as Lady Tenant

            Ralph Redpath as Train Engineer

            Leon Rippy as Weskit

            Jennifer Roach as Little Girl

            Philip Shafran as Little Boy

            Gary Tacon as Israeli Agent

            Jan Triska as Steckler

            George P. Wilbur as Grimmer's Man

            Billy Anagnos
            
            Judy Taylor
            
            Valorie Massalas
            
            Mike Fenton
            
See full cast