Tango & Cash

If someone asked me where I'd place the film in terms of time period, I'd immediately say the 1980s. The nostalgic vibe is evident in every frame. Add to that one of the biggest acting duos of the time (Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell), who were getting so many job offers that they barely had time to read them. Plus, it has the kind of action that might make you laugh today. Story-wise, it’s complete nonsense, pardon the expression. But the film still provides an incredible amount of entertainment, which is rare. If I had to pick one memorable aspect of the film, it would definitely be the style of its dialogue. Such buddy comedies are rare these days, and the flawless chemistry between the lead actors and their fantastic, funny dialogue elevates the film from average to a higher level. Don’t expect a well-thought-out film, because you won’t get that, but as a Saturday afternoon movie to lift your spirits, I can recommend it with a clear conscience. I’d give it 72%. (05/04/2019)

In Tango & Cash, Sylvester Stallone attempted to redefine his image as a mumbling muscleman, which was going out of fashion in the late 80s and early 90s. So he put on glasses and a fancy suit, started to talk more and faster, and oozed self-ironic humour (“Rambo is a pussy”). Kurt Russell, on the other hand, is seen here in his typical role of a brash, uncouth deadbeat in a ragged T-shirt. A tailor-made role, you might say, although it was originally intended for Patrick Swayze, who eventually preferred another memorable 80s gem (Road House). The two stars play the best cops in town, between whom there is a constant rivalry, and the whole film is based purely on their childish bickering, posturing, sizing up and outbidding. There's not a moment when one of the characters doesn't utter a wisecrack – the banter is so constant and absurd that it's borderline unbearable. But it all works thanks to the great chemistry of the two stars, who sparkle all the time. They even share a shower scene (in prison) that has gone down in the annals of the most famous unintentionally homoerotic moments of 80s action movies. Buddy cop movies have never avoided a certain amount of “bromance” (the bonding of the male leads), but Tango and Cash have an outwardly terrible phobia of it in order to maintain their superhero masks, but they live it to the fullest anyway. (01/25/2017)

Call me names, hit me, insult me, but this is the best action comedy I've ever seen. The only competition for me is The Last Boy Scout. But this one is different. A tribute to crappy movies with great lines, crazy action, perfect cast, and fun from the first to the last minute. (10/23/2002)

Končalovský's low-budget attempt at an action comedy is a step backwards after his Oscar-winning Runaway Train, but it's surprisingly funny in places, with Russell and Stallone spouting wisecracks like they're on a treadmill and complementing each other perfectly. It's definitely one of the better Stallone pieces of the late 80s, when his career was slowly declining, before it was revived again with Cliffhanger. (09/27/2003)

Every second sentence is a catchphrase and every first shot scores a hit. The change in director is both noticeable and not noticeable, and it depends mainly on whether you are willing to accept the last one after the elegant genre breaks when the heroes ride out toward the obligatory action finale in an armored jeep. Until then, everything works without the slightest flaw, although you don't know whether to admire Končalovskij's wild action or to fall out of your chair laughing at the verbal skirmishes. Either way, Stallone and Russell are having the time of their lives. (01/19/2011)