Alec Baldwin, David Morse, James Woods

"This is going to be the last big score, I promise." Famous last words--uttered by crack thief Doc McCoy to his wife--that set forth a whirlpool of deception and violence in Roger Donaldson's 1994 rem...( read more  read more... )ake of The Getaway. Bailed out of a Mexican jail by shady businessman Jack Benyon (James Woods) in order to hit an Arizona dog track for him, Doc (Alec Baldwin) and Carol (Kim Basinger) flee for south of the border when the robbery goes wrong, with the million-dollar loot in tow. Following close behind are Benyon's men and Doc's double-crossing partner Rudy (Michael Madsen).

The updated version shares not only the original film's plot, but also the added twist of having husband and wife Baldwin and Basinger step into the roles of the first real-life couple to make the film, Steve McQueen and Ali McGraw. This time, however, the woman's role has been given a tougher '90s edge, with Basinger pulling almost as many punches and firing as many shots as Baldwin, compared to McGraw, who followed McQueen around in wide-eyed, silent terror.

The Getaway maintains the same deliberate, neo-noir pace that made the first film taut, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere in the wide-open, desolate Southwestern landscapes. The scorching sun and heat only add to the strain, making it virtually impossible for anyone to find a dark corner or alleyway to hide in. The car chases and shoot-out finale are charged, though a secondary plot line, between Rudy and the woman he kidnaps and seduces (Jennifer Tilly), comes across as unnecessarily and incongruously brutal. --Natasha Senjanovic

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29% liked it

7,599 ratings

Unrated, 106 min.

Directed by: Roger Donaldson

Release Date: February 11, 1994

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DVD Release Date: May 26, 1998

Stats: 182 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (182)


  • February 12, 2007
    a) Because Steve McQueen and Ali MacGraw didn't get it right?

    b) Because MacGraw wasn't blonde enough?

    c) Because David Morse is a great actor who deserves to be in every movie possible?

    d) Because Richard Farnsworth and Slim Pickens both played the same role well?

    ...( read more)> The correct answer is d.
  • September 4, 2006
    The orginal is so much better
  • November 18, 2009
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    The Getaway is an action/thriller remake about a caper couple named Doc Carter McCoy (Alec Baldwin) & his astouding wife, Carol (...( read more)Kim Basinger) who have been callled upon by a wealthy bussiness man, Jack Benyon (James Woods) to pull off a dangerous heist. When Doc & Carol get the job complete, things go terribly wrong for them when they find out that they have been betrayed by Benyon as he sends a bunch of men to hunt down the couple along with the money. Everywhere Doc & Carol turn danger heads towards them where they have no choice to defend theirselves during violent shootouts & high speed chases to stay alive.

    The Getaway is a fun, exciting ride from start to finish. It's extremely entertaining actioner filled with heartponding suspense & electryfying action at every turn. When I first watched this, I didn't know that it was a remake. I haven't seen the original so i can't tell ya if it was better than the remake. I can tell ya this, that I found this remake to be good. Alec & Kim are at their best which by the way makes a wonderful couple even though sometimes they argue too much but I guess thats the extent of their relationship. The married couple acted as it was in real life. They were both good & enjoyed their performances. Warning: this film does display some strong sexuality exspecially in the uncut & unrated version which may violate to younger viewers. Even though this wasn't a great action film. It had fantastic moments of gunplay where it used some of John Woo slo-mo in some scenes that I found intriguing. I loved the way that was put in where it made the action stylistic in those sequences. Their's a good shootout towards the end that has lots of the slo-mo going on. One of the best shootouts i've witnessed in a long time. I just thought this was exhilerating film with good plot, good acting, good action, & shocking suspense. All this film is good for is entertainment & that's exactly what it gives ya. The Getaway is adventurous story driven sexy action/thriller filled with explosive mindblowing gunfights & chases that keeps you rooting for more.

    31/2 stars
  • July 17, 2009
    has its okay moments but is a very poor film that has not so much updated the old steve mcqueen flick more tarnished it. Its not completly awful, woods is devilishly enjoyable as always but it just never really gets going, feels like a two our homage rather than a film in its own...( read more) right.
  • March 27, 2009
    it wasnt a bad remake of the original they could have changed it slightly

    having seen the original and the produers not chaning it you knew what was going to happen and what the storyline was

    but the acting wasnt that bad i though alec baldwin did a pretty good job playing ste...( read more)ve mcqueens role but wasnt as good sadly
  • March 27, 2009
    wow umn just seen this movie 4 the 1st time n think that this is a good movie 2 watch...i think that alec baldwin, kim basinger, james woods, michael madson, jennifer tilly, philip seymore hoffman, richard farnsworth play good parts throughout this movie...i think that the direct...( read more)or of this Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense movie had done a good job of directing this movie because you never know what 2 expect throguhout this movie...i think that the car chases n the gun shoot outs were pretty kewl throughout this movie..its a good movie 2 watch n its enjoyable
  • December 23, 2008
    This is a good action thriller. Has a great cast and story. The film story was very well done and is a good watch.
  • September 17, 2008
    lame remake see the original its way better
  • August 3, 2008
    Weak! Really weak storyline & acting. Just another mediocre blockbuster from the 90th.
  • June 1, 2008
    A lot of good movie stars! I was in love with Jennifer Tilly after the movie. Great action.

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