What this film does have… a score by John Barry! And it was based on a series of books, so if it had been more successful, and better made, Stallone could have had another franchise on his hand. Instead what we get is a fairly run-of-the-mill action thriller set amongst the pastel and neon glow of 90s Miami.

And after the final explosion in the film, Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone drive away to ‘Turn the Beat Around’ by Gloria Estefan. Great tune, but kinda feels out of place here.

The entire film feels like an odd beast, cobbled together and never quite reaching it’s full potential.

Stallone is Ray Quick, an ex-military explosives expert who know works out of Miami. He takes out people the law can’t, working through phone blinds for clients who can afford him. He’s contacted by May (Stone who is supposed to be in her 20s but is in her 30s here. The only reason her ages matters is for the narrative).

She wants his help taking down the people who killed her parents, a crime dynasty headed by Joe Leon (Rod Steiger) and his son, Tomas (a miscast Eric Roberts). And this is where the age thing comes into play. Roberts and Stone are almost the same age. And yet, her character was supposed to be a child when Tomas killed her parents.

Ridiculous.

Working for Joe and Tomas is, surprise, surprise, a diry cop, Ned Trent (James Woods), who also, coincidentally, used to work with Ray. In fact, Ray is the reason Ned was drummed out of the service. So Ned wants revenge.

There’s a couple of twists and turns, an soft core love scene with Stallone and Stone, and all of it set against the backdrop of Miami.

Barry’s score is fantastic, he never disappoints. And it definitely elevates the film. Which it desperately needed.

Honestly, a stronger script could have really made this something for Stallone. Stone is gorgeous throughout, and while she has a solid arc, it’s also a simple one, and she could have done more.

Roberts is o out of place here. In fact, both he and Steiger could have been recast with stronger and more menacing villains. Admittedly Tomas needs to have a bit of sadistic charm to him, but someone other than Roberts could have done it.

I dunno, everything about this feels like a could-have-been, and lets show off Stone and Stallone without their clothes (not a bad thing, but you need more than that). Not quite a misfire, but it could have been a whole lot better.