Death of the Series
During a Russian funeral a gun battle breaks out in the cemetery leading to many being gunned down and killed in broad daylight. With the Russian population having no faith in the police having already struggled to have them take any of their complaints seriously Jack Reed (Brian Dennehy) finds himself facing an uphill battle with his investigation. But it quickly becomes apparent to Jack that this wasn't just someone being trigger happy as he discovers that many young Russians have been coerced into joining a secret Russian gang. Meanwhile Jack's friend Lieutenant Silvera (Charles S. Dutton) has his own problem to contend with as his old friend and mayoral candidate Gordon Thomas (Joe Morton) fears his election campaign is going to be derailed by his son accidentally killing someone whilst drink driving and Thomas and his team want Silvera to make it all go away.
To my knowledge "Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance" was the last in this series of made for TV crime movies starring Brian Dennehy and Charles S. Dutton and I can understand why. You see whilst both Dennehy and Dutton are likeable actors this final movie just feels like it has been built on cliches, story ideas which have been used in other cop movies. As such whilst still an entertaining movie it just feels like it had been done before.
Now this use of story ideas which feel familiar is not a problem if they had done something new and fresh with them but it is a case of same old same old. Whilst Jack investigates the mass murder at the cemetery he not only finds people uncooperative to speak to him but also finds himself getting pressured from the gang of young Russians who do their bosses bidding by trying to scare him off. It is all generic stuff and doesn't veer off from the path trodden by other movies whilst we have Silvera dealing with the political beast who wants to cover up the hit and run and facing some pressure of his own.
Now both Brian Dennehy and Charles S. Dutton deliver solid performances and are likeable actors but they also feel as generic as the storyline itself as they play typical cop types. Thankfully Peter Outerbridge and Dean McDermott are entertaining if a little wrongfully amusing as Russians whilst it is always good to see Joe Morton, here playing the politician with a campaign to protect.
What this all boils down to is that for fans of Brian Dennehy and Charles S. Dutton "Jack Reed: Death and Vengeance" will be an entertaining cop drama. But for those who stumble across it looking for something to watch will find it is just another generic cop movie.