Pluskylang Great Film overall

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

Allison Davies The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

Mathilde the Guild Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

eliotkeith The specialist is no citizen Kane, in fact it isn't even in the same ballpark as the great action movies of the 90s, but it is a serviceable movie with a dashing lead and a gorgeous femme fatale of a leading lady in Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone respectively. Shot deftly by Peruvian director Luis Llosa the film falters if you try to think too much- which is what the critics at the time did. Stallone is beefy enough and still in his prime to run around Miami and the likes with Stone in tow. You should watch the Specialist if you happen to belong in the following two categories: a.) Fans of Sylvester Stallone; b.) Nostalgic need for older action films.

zkonedog The first five minutes of this film give the impression that, unlike many other Sylvester Stallone action movies, it might have a bit more depth and a bit of an interesting plot. Talk about false advertising.For a basic plot summary, "The Specialist" focuses on the theme of revenge. When a woman (Sharon Stone) whose parents were killed by a mob broker (Eric Roberts) wants revenge, she draws out a former CIA bomb squad specialist (Stallone) to do the deed. Trying to disarm the conflict (but also holding a personal agenda) is the head of the local police department (James Woods).To put it bluntly, this is a terrible movie in so many different ways:-The plot never finds an identity, trying to switch from thriller to cop drama to mob flick and never succeeding at any of them.-The acting is absolutely terrible. Stallone's character has no depth, James Woods is, well, James Woods, and Eric Roberts is annoying to the point of just wanting to flick the whole TV set off.-Also, we get it that Sharon Stone is hot. But, does that really need to almost completely dominate the second half of the film?Overall, I was originally intrigued by this movie's concept in the early goings, but by about the 30 minute mark is had completely unraveled and never gets wound up again. If you like this fare, watch Assassins or Tango & Cash instead. Those aren't great movies either, but at least they do some things right, which is more than can be said about "The Specialist".

bkoganbing Sylvester Stallone is an explosives expert who contracts out his work after leaving the CIA when his superior James Woods callously killed some innocents on a South American job. Stallone before he left the agency got the demented Woods canned. Both are at large now, Stallone is an independent Woods just a loose cannon.Sharon Stone hires Stallone because of his precision hits with explosives, not an easy thing to do. She wants three Cuban gangsters killed as they killed her parents while she as a child watched. One of the three is Eric Roberts the son of Cuban Mafia capo Rod Steiger.Wouldn't you know it Woods is now working for Steiger and he's got his own agenda. He recognizes Stallone's signature and Steiger who has the Miami PD bought and paid for go to work assisting Woods track down Stallone. As for Stone she has her own agenda as well. But is gets nice and personal with Sly and Sharon.Stallone fans should be pleased with The Specialist. It has enough explosive charm for anyone who likes to see things go boom. As for acting honors they go to James Woods who has a knack for playing deranged and callous characters. A villain you love to hate.One might become a Stallone fan after seeing The Specialist.

callanvass In 1984, a couple of bomb specialists, Ray Quick & Ned Trent kill some children on a school bus when Ned Trent refuses to activate the fail- safe on the bombs. Ray refuses to be associated with Trent any longer, and turns him in. Ray is presently an outsider, living in Miami Florida, doing odd jobs here and there. May Munro has secretive phone calls with Ray about bombing the Leons, Tomas & Joe. May witnessed the Leons kill her parents as a child from the closet of her room. Ray initially declines the offer, but his outlook changes when Ned Trent is working with the Leons. Ostensibly, the script for The Specalist was passed around a bit. Steven Seagal was offered the lead role, but turned it down when they wouldn't pay him 9 million. Stallone refused the lead part as well at first, but was goaded into it after a while. I'm glad Seagal turned the part down. He didn't fit the description for Ray Quick. In all honesty? Stallone should have gone with his first instinct, and said no to this movie. I'm a die-hard fan of Sylvester Stallone, but i'd be lying if I said he hasn't made some forgettable stinkers in his career. After a suspenseful opening with Stallone & James Woods at their absolute best, this goes down the toilet rather quickly. For starters, it's WAY too talky. Instead of infusing it with action like they should have, they fill it with plenty of uninteresting dialog. The only action we get are some dull explosions, and an amusing action sequence that involves Sly, kicking some ass on a bus to defend an old woman's honor. There is also plenty of steamy flirting with Stallone & Stone on the phone if that interests you, as well as some awkward love-making. Sylvester Stallone can peel a potato for three hours, and I would still be entertained. He sleepwalks through a lot of this film, and looks rather indifferent. There are a few scenes where we get the patented Stallone charisma, but he just looked bored. It is hard to take his character seriously when he has a cat named Timer (!) It wasn't a bad performance by any means, just rather ordinary for him. Sharon Stone gives the best performance in the film (Not by much) with her sexy showcase. I thought she elevated this film with her presence alone. James Woods gives it 100%, and I have to commend him for it. Not many people go nuts like Woods does. I love the guy. Eric Roberts is decent for the most part. He had some good intensity, but his part felt phony. Rod Steiger embarrasses himself with his hammy performance. He annoyed the crap out of me with that accent as well.Final Thoughts: Despite some twists and turns, the competent acting, and the potential it has, this movie isn't very good. I admit to owning this movie, simply because I love Sylvester Stallone. It's a below average film that lacks action, script coherency, and thrills. I'd say pass4.8/10