Cast
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Sylvester Stallone
as Ray Quick
Sharon Stone
as May Munro
James Woods
as Ned Trent
Rod Steiger
as Joe Leon
Eric Roberts
as Tomas Leon
Mario Ernesto Sánchez
as Charlie
Sergio Doré Jr.
as Strongarm
Chase Randolph
as Stan Munro
Jeana Bell
as Alice Munro
Brittany Paige Bouck
as Young May
Emilio Estefan Jr.
as Pianoplayer
LaGaylia Frazier
as Singer #1
Ramón González Cuevas
as Priest at Cemetery
Tony Munafo
as Tony
Cheito Quinonez
as Singer at Party
Crew
Director
- Luis Llosa
Producer
- Jerry Weintraub
Reviews
Gimly
A bomber makes for about as heroic a protagonist as you might expect. There is no reason to put yourself through the plodding pretentiousness of _The Specialist_ unless you, like I was, are on some sort of quest to watch the entire 80s-90s Stallone filography.
_Final rating:★★ - Had some things that appeal to me, but a poor finished product._
Jun 4, 2018
Wuchak
_**Explosive comic book crime thriller with Stallone, Stone and Woods**_
An ex-CIA demolitions expert (Sylvester Stallone) is hired by a grim beauty in Miami (Sharon Stone) to take out the mobsters who murdered her parents when she was a girl. Rod Steiger and Eric Roberts play high society gangsters while James Woods is on hand as the specialist’s rival, who works for the mob.
"The Specialist" (1994) is a competent Stallone action flick set in Miami, albeit seriously comic booky with Woods really hamming it up; Roberts too, to a lesser degree.
Stallone was 47 during shooting and in exceptional shape. Not that I care, but he and Stone are shown totally nude in a shower scene (in a tasteful way). She looked great at 35, but this flick doesn’t beat “King Solomon’s Mines” (1985) where Sharon’s shorts kept getting shorter as the story progressed. Her character in that film wasn’t ultra-bitter as she is in this one; she was all-around vibrant.
It’s kind of glaring, but the movie borrowed music from the 80’s Bond films; obviously the producers wanted that vibe. While it lacks the globetrotting of 007, it’s basically a mix of 80’s Bond and “The Punisher” (1989).
The film runs 1 hour, 50 minutes and was shot in the Miami area, Florida, with the opening done at Great Falls Dam, Rock Island, Tennessee.
GRADE: B-/C+
Jul 8, 2020
JPV852
Decent action can't overcome thin characters plus Stallone and Stone didn't have much chemistry together. At the very least James Woods, once again, goes over-the-top as the villain so he was entertaining. **2.75/5**
Jul 18, 2020
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Thriller film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, The Specialist distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Luis Llosa brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1994, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of The Specialist took approximately 24 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $45.0 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 110 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 167 minutes long.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- The screenplay went through 15 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The film contains approximately 1646 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1994, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While The Specialist shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Beach, which focuses more on action than character development, The Specialist offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like The 13th Warrior and Bunny Lake Is Missing explore similar territory, The Specialist stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: October 7, 1994
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Budget: $45,000,000
- Revenue: $170,362,582
