Fred 'The Hammer' Williamson(..who also directs)headlines an impressive cast as a semi-retired private dick(..and ex-cop) named Dak who decides to help an old friend's son, Willie Joe(Derrick Franklin), a potential basketball prospect who gets caught up in drugs(..and the money that comes with it), involving a small-time dealer, Slim(Ice-T) who works for a mysterious crime boss(The Hammer keeps his identity secret throughout until towards the end).
The crime boss enlists the services of a smart and sadistic hit-man, Felix(Gary Busey)who cleans up a mess left by his employer's bumbling goons when the coordinated the wrong hit, killing the innocent wife and son of Rex Stevens(Bernie Casey)simply due to a miscalculation regarding the wrong address. So Rex and Dak join forces to shake down Slim in order to uncover the main one responsible for the drugs and killing.
Other familiar faces include Ron O'Neal as Willie Joe's concerned father, Frank, and big Jim Brown as Chad Grant, a renowned community leader organizing a coalition to help keep street youth out of trouble and committed to a better future.
For some reason, 'On the Edge' just never quite takes off..it's all rather unspectacular, uninspired, and ordinary. Even the shootouts and action sequences lack punch. One thing's for sure, The Hammer assembled a rockin' cast of old pros to distinguish his film, and that quality alone is certain to bring fans of 70's and 80's B flicks and blaxploitation to his movie. But, for a movie about street crime and the violence that erupts from bad decisions in accordance when associated with drug dealers and their money, it lacks a gritty component that is often part and parcel with others of it's ilk. Not a whole lot of blood during the outbursts of gunfire, either.
Seeing Casey fire off a rocket launcher is pretty cool, though, and Williamson's effortless charisma helps keep 'On the Edge' afloat..it's not a total bore, but one can see, I imagine, the lack of budget Williamson and company had for more effective action scenes, containing violent acts between the rival factions. Busey gets to kill a hell of a lot of people, sneaking up to either put a bullet or knife in them, and continues to assault even after his own employer betrays him(..he loves the job, I guess). Casey opts to keep his performance restrained, his Rex emotionally wrenched and exhausted, only half-heartedly seeking revenge. Ice-T has a rather limited role, which is disappointing, because he seems to be having fun as a small-time hood, operating a tiny stripper club, all smiles, demanding to get paid on time or else, believing he's a big shot, when, in actuality, his Slim isn't. Williamson's pace is laid back and the score is minimalist. Popular radio talk show host(..and celebrated attorney)Gloria Allred shows up in a cameo as a councilwomen whose inside information tips off Dak that the Mr. Big he's after has political ties. Jim Brown's role is rather minor, helping out Dak when Rex gets gut-stabbed by Felix and is momentarily hospitalized. Williamson seems to be enjoying himself, and I can understand why..he has a chance to be a director and work with many of his friends. There's a sincere message about ridding street crime and how the youth are corrupted at the heart of the film.
The crime boss enlists the services of a smart and sadistic hit-man, Felix(Gary Busey)who cleans up a mess left by his employer's bumbling goons when the coordinated the wrong hit, killing the innocent wife and son of Rex Stevens(Bernie Casey)simply due to a miscalculation regarding the wrong address. So Rex and Dak join forces to shake down Slim in order to uncover the main one responsible for the drugs and killing.
Other familiar faces include Ron O'Neal as Willie Joe's concerned father, Frank, and big Jim Brown as Chad Grant, a renowned community leader organizing a coalition to help keep street youth out of trouble and committed to a better future.
For some reason, 'On the Edge' just never quite takes off..it's all rather unspectacular, uninspired, and ordinary. Even the shootouts and action sequences lack punch. One thing's for sure, The Hammer assembled a rockin' cast of old pros to distinguish his film, and that quality alone is certain to bring fans of 70's and 80's B flicks and blaxploitation to his movie. But, for a movie about street crime and the violence that erupts from bad decisions in accordance when associated with drug dealers and their money, it lacks a gritty component that is often part and parcel with others of it's ilk. Not a whole lot of blood during the outbursts of gunfire, either.
Seeing Casey fire off a rocket launcher is pretty cool, though, and Williamson's effortless charisma helps keep 'On the Edge' afloat..it's not a total bore, but one can see, I imagine, the lack of budget Williamson and company had for more effective action scenes, containing violent acts between the rival factions. Busey gets to kill a hell of a lot of people, sneaking up to either put a bullet or knife in them, and continues to assault even after his own employer betrays him(..he loves the job, I guess). Casey opts to keep his performance restrained, his Rex emotionally wrenched and exhausted, only half-heartedly seeking revenge. Ice-T has a rather limited role, which is disappointing, because he seems to be having fun as a small-time hood, operating a tiny stripper club, all smiles, demanding to get paid on time or else, believing he's a big shot, when, in actuality, his Slim isn't. Williamson's pace is laid back and the score is minimalist. Popular radio talk show host(..and celebrated attorney)Gloria Allred shows up in a cameo as a councilwomen whose inside information tips off Dak that the Mr. Big he's after has political ties. Jim Brown's role is rather minor, helping out Dak when Rex gets gut-stabbed by Felix and is momentarily hospitalized. Williamson seems to be enjoying himself, and I can understand why..he has a chance to be a director and work with many of his friends. There's a sincere message about ridding street crime and how the youth are corrupted at the heart of the film.
