#158: Armed and Dangerous

Release Date: August 15th, 1986

Format: Streaming (Tubi)

Written by: Brian Grazer, James Keach, Harold Ramis, and Peter Torokvei

Directed by: Mark L. Lester

2.5 Stars

Armed and Dangerous is a funny enough mid-’80s comedy - dare I say underrated? - starring John Candy and Eugene Levy, helmed by journeyman director Mark L. Lester. 

But what might have been?

Developed by Harold Ramis as a sort of buddy cop comedy, the film was supposed to be a starring vehicle for Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi, coming off their hugely successful film, The Blues Brothers. Ramis even had John Carpenter lined up to direct.

But then that plan fell apart and we’re left with this.

Reportedly Ramis hated the production so much that he fought to have his name completely removed from the credits. He ends up still being credited as a co-writer.

I think he was being a little harsh.

This movie has some endearing qualities, and it might just be aging well. Shot on location in greater Los Angeles, and co-starring a who’s who of ‘80s character actors (Robert Loggia, Jonathan Banks, Larry Hankin, Tony Burton, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, James Tolkan), it’s an interesting time stamp of mainstream, medium-budget American studio comedies in the 1980s. When I compare Armed and Dangerous to other ‘80s-era Hollywood studio comedies I’ve reviewed (that some consider classics, god help them), films such as Fletch, Teen Wolf, or Kindergarten Cop, I’m sorry, but Armed and Dangerous is better, even if it did take a battering while going through development hell.

I’ll admit that it’s entirely possible that I’m biased in my review. This was a “mom” movie growing up. For whatever reason, she had a copy of Armed and Dangerous on VHS and I watched it dozens of times. I can credit this movie for introducing me to the concepts of crossdressing, peep shows, leather daddies, police corruption, and workers’ unions.      

Thanks mom.