Tango & Cash (1989) User Reviews

I'd pay Cash to see this Tango

[ODDBear · 7/10 · 2 December 2005]

Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone are the reason why this run-of-the-mill action flick actually works. There's nothing innovative or special about the film, it's nothing we haven't seen before (maybe just Russell in drag) but the film is entertaining as hell thanks to it's two stars.

Stallone is Tango and Russell is Cash, two cops who get set up and sent to jail. They break out and go after the bad guys to clear their names.

The film has got some excellent action scenes, particularly inside the prison and during the break out. It's got some nice eye candy courtesy of one Teri Hatcher. The script also delivers some very funny lines now and then. Couple that with the fact that I actually do like Stallone do comedy and Russell has always been somewhat of a mini favourite; Tango and Cash is very worthy of my time every once in a while.

Downsides; Excellent actor Jack Palance is horrible in the cliché ridden bad guy role (I can't figure out if he's trying too hard or not at all) and the film has a really silly final 10 minutes where the action goes from cool to basically slapstick. Still, early 90's action fans should enjoy this flick.

Lovely piece of kitsch from the 80's

[The_Void · 7/10 · 4 June 2005]

Back in the 80's, kitsch cinema had two main sections - gory horror movies and daft action films, of which this film obviously fits into the latter. While the gory horror movies of the eighties often lacked credibility, that section of kitsch movies beats the daft action films because of the much higher content of inventiveness; but more often than not, the daft action movies make for good entertainment, even if they're somewhat less than brilliant. Tango and Cash is a notable action movie because it stars two of the eighties most popular action stars - Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell, whose antagonistic partnership makes up the core of this movie. The plot device to get the maverick cops to work together is hardly important, but nevertheless it follows the two as a corrupt state buys into a plot by a criminal kingpin to land them both in jail, which promptly sees our hero's in with the masses of criminals they themselves have sent to the clink. As you can imagine, they're not the most well liked of inmates. Especially not by 'Maniac Cop' himself, Robert Z'Dar...

The action in the movie comes thick and fast and this, when combined with the one-liner packed script make the movie feel more like a parody than a serious take on the genre. This is all good, however, as this movie is pure entertainment, and seeing two of the 80's hottest action stars fire off silly dialogue at one another is a treat to say the least. The action is over the top, and we get to watch our hero's do such things as slide down electrical cables and drive a souped up SUV around an explosion packed warehouse, and it makes for great entertainment. Of course, what the movie packs in action and snappy dialogue, it lacks in other areas such as credibility and depth; but nobody tunes into a kitschy 80's action movie for plot depth and sophistication, so blaming the movie for not offering these things is ridiculous. On the whole, if you're after a good two hours of solid action fare, you could certainly do a lot worse than Tango and Cash. This movie packs a lot of punch, delivered by two strong leading men. Thumbs up!

not real in the least...but still fun

[mcfly-31 · 7/10 · 17 March 2002]

A lot of the reviews for this film use the word "fun", which is code for "unreal", "ridiculous", "silly". That pretty much sums up this umpteenth foray into the cop/buddy flick. The slight difference is the two guys aren't partners, but city rivals. But, as usual, they detest each other, battle a big bad guy, and have a sexy girl caught between them. One of the zillion unreal elements begins with these two guys constantly grabbing headlines in LA. Now, I've lived near LA all my life. Not once has there ever been an officer who was a superstar/celebrity type of superior abilities. And, as we usually see in movies, these guys are non-uniformed, fancy car driving studs. Anyway, off to the plot. The two guys are hated by an aged, wealthy drug runner (Palance). For reasons only known to him, he doesn't want the two simply capped in the head and out of the way. I assume he wants to physically and mentally torture them, so he orchestrates a, yet once more unreal, frame-up that lands the two in jail. There's even an obligatory "You're goin' down for this" from a fellow officer at the scene of the crime. Then, on the inside, ALL the guards are corrupt, which allows prisoners to roam the grounds at will, the powerful drug guy to pay visits, Russell and Stallone to be tortured in a boiler room, etc. Each guy has a friend on his side, Russell the warden, Stallone his captain. Now it's odd that the captain, who knows Stallone is innocent, fails to share this with other authoroties. Even the address of a henchman that he's obtained. After a prison break, there's the big bad finale where the two take on armies of machine gun blasting toadies of Palance's. Then a dopey final gunshot that puts an exclamation point on the list of unreal moments. Now, with all that said, why did I still like this? The dynamite script. Feldman provides a ton of one-liners and comic moments, which aided the implausibility of the proceedings. Not to mention some nicely shot moments of action. So, for a good "turn off your brain" adventure where you'll be asked to go easy on quality, give this a shot.

If you really wanted to stare death in the eye, you shoulda gotten married.

[hitchcockthelegend · 7/10 · 22 April 2019]

Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell play polar opposite Los Angeles cops who are framed by an arch nemesis and forced to team up in order to clear their name.

Unashamedly macho and very much of its time, this is daft energetic fun that's full of octane inventive action and ever quotable one liners. Stallone is Tango, the smart dressed sophisticated policeman, Russel is Cash, the slobbish act first - ask questions later copper, both men very different but both excellent at their jobs.

Pic gets by mostly on the chemistry between Stallone and Russell, who put much zest into their respective characters bickering and bantering. Action is well put together by director Andrey Konchalovskiy, but unfortunately the final third of the piece starts to sag as our mismatched cops start to respect and befriend each other and the plot reaches the inevitable conclusion.

It doesn't help matters that Jack Palance's main villain is only a bit part player, or that his head henchman Requin (the usually ace Brion James) gives us a quite appalling British accent. Add in Teri Hatcher who is in it purely for dressage and as a cypher between the two boys, then it's a picture not without problems. Yet the script and star turns from the leading duo ensure this remains a favourite of many whom lapped it up back in the backend of the 1980s. 7/10

Joyous 80s action! That's all it is, and that's all it needs to be...

[Coventry · 7/10 · 30 May 2021]

The #1 reason why I love brainless action movies from the 80s and 90s? Because of the actors playing the bad guys! Just look at this baby; - Jack Palance, Brion James, Robert Z'dar, Clint Howard... Sure enough, the stars of the film are Sly Stallone and Kurt Russell, but for people who always root for the villains - like me - films like "Tango & Cash" are delightful! The set-up for this buddy-action movie is that the two best cops of Los Angeles are framed by big-shot drug/weapon dealer Palance, and end up in prison amidst the vengeful cons they locked away themselves. Plausibility and coherence are of minor importance, but "Tango & Cash" works perfectly because both Stallone and Russell prove themselves to be masters of self-parody, and the chemistry between them is awesome. Good stunt work, James Bond like gadgetry and an incredibly sexy Yazoo-dance by Teri Hatcher only make the film even more amusing.

Sometimes cheap fun really is what the doctor ordered

[Mr-Fusion · 7/10 · 13 April 2016]

On the surface, "Tango and Cash" has got to be the most ridiculous buddy cop movie on the market. And I'm still trying to decide if this is honest-to-god satire or just an extremely calculated kitchen sink attempt at a genre movie. This thing's just one glib one-liner after another, and they are all extremely on the nose. Is there subtlety in this? Hell no, but it is entertaining. And there are moments that had me in genuine laughter.

And I do say that that's all down to the two leads. Stallone and Russell are what make this work. You can tell they didn't come to set every day hating their work, that it's all just a gas, and that's what keeps the movie light and easy on its feet. That, and in-her-prime Teri Hatcher.

It's loud, extremely silly, but still a lot of fun.

7/10

Fun and suspenseful actioner

[FiendishDramaturgy · 6/10 · 17 October 2003]

Excellent action, intense suspense, and a great action/comedy story line.

This is an excellent fast-paced action/comedy. I truly enjoyed all aspects of this production, from the screenplay to the set design.

Russell and Stallone turn in top notch, professional work in this enjoyable endeavor. While the action was good, fluid, and well executed, the movie never once loses its main focus: that wonderful plot. The plot is extremely well written. While there are two major flaws to the credibility of the story line, I found this attempt to be at least as good as Lethal Weapon 2.

I found this production to be innovative, fun, and highly entertaining. It had everything a good action movie needs to make it successful; excellent character development, imaginative direction, professional performances by the cast and crew, a clever and witty screenplay with intelligent dialog, and action...lots of good fast-paced, well-delivered action. It had a fresh comedic element, and, even though at times, director Andrei Konchalovsky does turn to juvenile antics to solicit a chuckle from us, the comedy was mostly about as intelligent as you can expect from Sly and Russell, and expertly-delivered.

It rates a 6.3/10 from...

the Fiend :.

Stallone and Russel's best buddy Action film from the 80's.

[ivo-cobra8 · 10/10 · 6 October 2015]

This was the last Action film from the 80's that Stallone made and it become my favorite Action thriller from my childhood. I grew up with this film. Tango & Cash is 1989 underrated Action "classic" film.

The amalgamation of Sylvester Stallone's sheer magnetism, and Kurt Russell's commanding stage presence, has yielded a sonnet the likes of which all Films aspire to be. Stallone portrays "Raymond 'Ray' Tango" a highly decorated narcotics detective from Beverly Hills, who penchant for the stock market, has granted him not only the finer things in life but also a means to express his sophisticated nature and aspirations of financial independence. Stallone masterfully shows the dichotomy of a character who is highly educated and well mannered, yet is beset in a cesspool of crime and depravity, Tango yearns for a better society yet will not rest on his laurels of law and order. "Gabriel 'Gabe' Cash" portrayed by the immaculate Kurt Russell, is the antipodean of Stallone's level headed Tango. Cash is pugnacious, assertive, and jealous yet his diligence to enforce law and order at all cost define this tortured soul. Although this crass inner city detective has a disheveled appearance and tough exterior he is simply trying to hide his true feelings and desires for true love in an otherwise barbaric society. All in all this film is the crowning achievement of Stallone and Russell and the Hollywood film industry. It is a cut of history, when master Artisans the like of Russell and Stallone are brought together at their peak with visionaries leading them to produce what is their destiny

FUBAR!!!!!!!!!

It is my favorite best action film and the second Stallone best film along with Cobra from the 80's. I love the action sequences, the prison sequences, I love Robert Z'Dar as "The Jaw" in the film he is more memorable for me Matt Cordell as Maniac Cop from the 80's. That is why I love the films from the 80's and 90's more than I do now.

Tango & Cash is a 1989 American buddy cop action comedy film that was mainly directed by Andrei Konchalovsky, although Albert Magnoli took over in the later stages of filming.[3] It stars Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Jack Palance, and Teri Hatcher. The film was released in the United States on December 22, 1989.

The film describes the struggle of Raymond Tango and Gabriel Cash, two rival LAPD narcotics detectives, who are forced to work together after the criminal mastermind Yves Perret frames both of them for murder.Two cops are framed and must clear their names. this was the only film directed from Andrei Konchalovsky that stayed in my memories from him. The director for me in unknown, sorry.

Sylvester Stallone did great job portraying his character L.A. Cop Raymond Tango. Kurt Russell was awesome as L.A. Cop Gabriel Cash. Teri Hatcher as Katherine "Kiki" Tango was excellent as Ray's sister. Yes she was his sister not his mistress, girlfriend or his wife, she was his sister which I love in this movie! Jack Palance as crime boss Yves Perret was excellent villain. Brion James as Requin was amazingly tough guy villain. James Hong as Quan another villain was also awesome. The most awesome to me was Robert Z'Dar as "The Jaw" he was terrific in this film.

I love this film to death I love it is my favorite film and I love it to death!

10/10 Grade: A+ Studio: Warner Bros. Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Kurt Russell, Jack Palance, and Teri Hatcher. Director: Andrei Konchalovsky Producers: Avi Lerner, Kevin King Templeton, John Thompson Written by: Randy Feldman Rated: R Running Time: 1 Hr. 44 Mins. Released: 22 December 1989 Budget: $55.000.000 Box Office: $63.408.614

Although a poor man's Lethal weapon, this is a lot better than you might think

[andy_lancs · 16 March 2000]

Okay, so this isn't the greatest film ever made. In fact, it isn't even remotely the best buddy-buddy flick ever made. But surprisingly enough, this is actually quite a winner, and succeeds far more in being a parody of the Lethal-Weapon style films than say... Loaded Weapon does. This is for several reasons.

Firstly, Stallone is the star of the show here, turning in a self-mocking parody of his own screen persona. He is flash and indestructable, yet the film acknowledges and exploits this to comedic ends. Secondly, Palance is excellent as a sneering and menacing bad guy, plotting the two cops downfall. He deserved more screen time than he actually got, and actually did a good job of being the obligatory stereotypical bad-guy.

However, the best thing of all about this film is the snappy dialogue. There is so much good banter between the two-cops that no matter how bizarre the film's scenario's get, the dialogue rescues it.

The first time I saw this, I enjoyed it and was only really let down by the ending, which feels hollow and unsatisfying in comparison to the first two reels of the film. However, this nagging problem alone, I have no hesitation in recommending this to any fan of the action-genre.

Overall: 6 1/2 out of 10.

Fun Flick

[AngelHonesty · 7/10 · 28 January 2020]

The only reason this film is worth watching, is named Sylvester Stallion and Kurt Russell. The movie is an average, Cop fighting bad guy film; nothing special. But the chemistry and humor between Sylvester and Kurt was extremely entertaining to see. They work great together adding so much humor and fun to the show as they flex their beautiful muscles and fight off the bad guys.

this film is among the worst I've ever seen... I love it!

[toaster-8 · 2/10 · 11 May 1999]

There are so many things which are terrible about this film, the stereotypical cops, the lame bad guy, the macho guys who dress in drag to escape, then a dumb, male cop hitting on them, but the best(worst) part of this film is the American guy trying to put on an English accent. The line "up yors you ahsole, I don't give a tawws!" Is one of the funniest things I've ever heard. And Tango and Cash is terrible in a good way, this is a film I can watch and laugh my head off. Unlike the painful Batman and Robin, which wasn't even funny.

Just Who's The Best Cop In LA?

[bkoganbing · 8/10 · 23 August 2009]

It looks to me like everyone was having one rollicking good time making Tango&Cash. This is the kind of film that you have to take as seriously as an Indiana Jones adventure. After all their can be only one Indy.

But in this case we've a pair of cowboy cops who work in different parts of Los Angeles. Sylvester Stallone as Ray Tango and Kurt Russell as Gabe Cash are certainly known to each other however due to the headlines they've gathered smashing various criminal enterprises. They're also known to master criminal Jack Palance the Professor Moriarty of the film and he's rigged one elaborate plan for their disgrace and downfall and death.

As much as Stallone and Russell are enjoying spoofing their own action images, this film is absolutely stolen by Jack Palance. With tongue firmly in cheeking and hands twirling some imaginary mustache ends in the best Snidely Whiplash tradition, Palance is having a ball with his part.

Of course even when they're in the worst of trouble there's still that oneupsmanship that Russell and Stallone can't shake. And when Russell shows an interest in Teri Hatcher whom he later finds out is Stallone's sister, things could really have gotten interesting if it weren't for the joint problems they both were having.

When you watch this film, do not for one instant take it seriously and I guarantee a real hoot.

Take time and watch this, you won't regret it!

[anfield_liverpool01 · 7/10 · 17 October 2005]

Despite what the rating says here at IMDb, take time and see this action flick, you'll enjoy it. Ray Tango (Stallone) and Gabriel Cash (Russel) are two rival Los Angeles cops, considered the best, that get framed for a murder they didn't commit. They get put away in prison, facing some of the criminals they've busted! Tango and Cash become, um, sort of "buddies" while in jail. The convicts have their fun with the both of them for awhile until they devise an escape plan, and do get out. Once Tango and Cash escape, they must find out who it was that framed them and find a way to clear themselves from that crime they've been wrongfully accused of while trying to not get caught.

This is a good action flick, with a lot of comedy put into it, perhaps more than the directors would have anticipated. This movie will keep you glued to your television. It is predictable but it has good action and as I said very good comedy. 7/10, recommended!

A clever no-brainer.

[gridoon · 5/10 · 29 September 1999]

This film, with its repetitive action sequences, its stereotyped characters and all those loud explosions could have been a real bore. But the comic dialogue often shows wit, and that's the film's distinguishing element: I agree that it's better as a comedy than as an actioner. Stallone is very likable in this particular movie; sexy Hatcher is also an asset.

Cheesy, dated, clichéd, predictable and basic but the lead performances and silly dialogue make it silly fun for those in the mood

[bob the moo · 6 June 2005]

Tango is a smooth cop who dresses like a banker, deals in stocks and shares but loves the action. Cash is a rough and ready action man who lives life fast and dirty but is a better cop for it. Each man serves on opposite sides of the LA and both are thorns in the side of crime kingpin Yves Perret – accountable for losing him millions in seized drugs and weapons. Rather than just have them killed, Perret sets them both up for the murder of an undercover cop supposedly in a sting operation. With all the evidence against them they cop a plea for minimum-security sentence – which they don't get. With a violent and angry welcome for them, Tango and Cash decide they need to escape soon or be carried out – plus, bringing down Perret is now their sole focus.

Although I know just what this film was going to be like, I thought I'd try to give it a chance and watch it again with a fresh pair of eyes. Nothing about the plot summary would lead you to expect anything other than a clichéd action movie and all that comes with it. And that is almost exactly what you get with this. The plot is predictable and really you are just watching it go through the motions and do just what you expect it to at almost every stage. The action is typically over-the-top and lacking the touch of realism that is usually needed to make it really engaging and exciting – instead it is noisy and overblown, managing to be quite fun but certainly not gripping or involving. The character dynamics are also clichéd – it is love/hate, bantering, mismatched cops stuff but ironically it actually works pretty well. The main reason for this is that the script shows that at least Feldman wasn't taking it too seriously – the dialogue allows both to mock each other and stops them settling into their macho images too much.

Happily both Stallone and Russell buy into it and let themselves be made fun of as much as they get to give it. Neither are brilliant but at least they seem to have got the joke and avoid playing it too straight or just going along with the macho clichés. Of course they eventually get back to basics and (along with the film) eventually just gets down to big bangs and action movie traditions but for the majority of the film they just about do enough to make it fun – albeit fun in a silly, rather guilty way. Hatcher doesn't add a great deal but it is interesting to see how good she looked then and how well she has aged in the past 15 or so years. Palance hams it up something awful and is a little painful to watch – but he is matched by equally poor bad guys from James, Hong and a few others. Pollard does his usual stuff and is typical comic relief.

Overall this is a dumb action movie and if you hate that type of film then you will hate this. I must admit that, by the end, the sheer cheesy stupidity of the whole thing had started to grate on me somewhat but up till that point it had been silly and quite fun. The amusing banter is one plus and at least Stallone and Russell aren't taking it too seriously for the most part and provide enough to stop it being a totally predictable genre film – even if it is a close run thing.

Despite a very problematic ending, Tango and Cash still has plenty to make it an at least enjoyable film

[TheLittleSongbird · 6/10 · 21 February 2015]

Tango and Cash is one of those films that people can get a huge amount of enjoyment out of when taking it for what it is, or there will be others who'll find it not to their taste. From personal taste, there are a number of shortcomings but I cannot bring myself to hate it.

Pros:

It's stylishly made, if very 80s, and competently directed, nothing comes over as amateurish. The soundtrack does pulsate with energy and is easy to remember, if a little intrusive in places(not that that is uncommon in action films). The script is snappy and delivered like dynamite, the banter between Stallone's Tango and Kurt Russell's Cash is a lot of fun. The story on the whole while very silly and predictable but it doesn't really ever become dull and it is easy to follow, the standout scenes being the opening, which is one of those scenes that sets things up so well it makes one excited for what will happen next and the brilliant prison escape, the prison scenes in general are among the better scenes in the film actually. The action, while very over-the-top, is decently edited, cool and endearingly kitsch without feeling too much. Sylvester Stallone is charismatic and effectively low-key and shows that he is at ease in the action scenes, his comic timing while much criticised in general is pretty good here, while Kurt Russell is a witty, soulful partner, the two of them being a well-matched pair. It is not everyday where you see Russell in drag, don't worry it is not as weird as it sounds.

Cons:

Tango and Cash does have problems. The biggest problem is that it falls apart in the final 10 minutes, an ending so disappointing that it's easy to bring the film down more than one notch. It loses the energy that the rest of the film has and it goes well overboard in the silliness factor, with the slapsticky final fight feeling out of kilter. The main villain Perrett's comeuppance is also very anti-climatically handled. Teri Hatcher is probably at her sexiest here but her acting feels vapid. More problematic are the villains, here are very stereotypically written(especially Perrett, the drugs baron stereotype has been done a number of times and nothing interesting is done here) and only Brion James, here looking as if he is having so much fun, is memorable. You'd think that Jack Palance, a master of suavity, deadpan and intimidating menace, would be, but here he gives one of his weakest performances but it is not helped by that he is very underused and that he is the most clichéd character in the whole film. Palance was a great actor, and excelled better than most in villain roles but this is a portrayal where he does try way too hard that he's almost pantomimic, it also manages to be quite bland compared to his usual standard. His henchmen are even more blandly written, and sees James Hong in a rare completely uninvolved performance.

All in all, won't work for some and it is a long way from flawless but still incredibly entertaining and has a good deal of charm. Don't expect sophistication, anything new or depth, you'll be disappointed. In its defence though Tango and Cash never strived to be that kind of film. But if you are looking for an enjoyable, switch-your-brain-off-at-the-door film, there is a good deal to like. 6/10 Bethany Cox

Tape = Play. Brain = Stop

[blurnieghey · 6/10 · 5 December 2020]

By 1989 I wouldn't have paid a dime to watch a movie like this and the only way I would have seen it would have been on HBO, an impossibility since I had already moved out of my parent's house by the time that would have happened. Tastes change and over the years this sort of dumbass 80's action / adventure have now become my favorite movies to watch, as I now find them completely hilarious. What isn't hilarious about them? The people who actually thought this stuff was classy entertainment at the time. My dad had a graduate degree and he would still just sit there, mindlessly watching schlock like this while I would sit at the other end of the room, tearing the plot to pieces. As I watched this, I pictured myself down in our old, 80's family room doing just that, and I would have had plenty to rag on.

Simply put, this movie pretty much crosses the line from action to fantasy. The dialogue is ridiculous and the plot has massive holes and suspense of logic that can only make you laugh to watch it now. Too many to list but here's a few: You get work detail on your second day in prison? How did Stallone get into the air vent? You can just trot away from prison (with no apparent pursuit) after you bust out and then wander back into the police station (where everyone knows your face) to just wander away again with some weapons? How did Stallone's daughter get kidnapped? Why the hell would you go back to your own house when you are fleeing the law? Cops and fire department don't immediately show up when a car blows up in a garage? How did they get vehicles? Why do a bunch of gun and drug runners need monster trucks? You get the picture. The whole thing is a big, macho shlock-fest, devoid of logic, and that's what makes it entertaining now. If you are looking for realism, skip this one.

Oh, yeah, and we have Robert Z'Dar, Michael Pollard, Clint Howard, and Jack Palance all sharing the same big screen! That's some serious B-Movie star power gathered together for a big-budget picture and I was happy to see that.

"Rambo is a pussy".

[lost-in-limbo · 7/10 · 26 February 2011]

Ludicrously brainless, but in all good comic action pulp that delivers on what counts. Violence (cartoon-like, but pulsating) - check. Cracking one-liners (oh there's plenty and they're quotable) - check. Likable good guys (can't go wrong with Sylvester Stallone's starch and Kurt Russell's charm) - check. Super evil bad guys (a game-playing Jack Palance stroking his pet mice in providing plenty of ham along with Brion James' stone-cold English henchman) - check. It's the usual buddy cop routine (opposites trying to work together, despite their qualms) that the 80s did spew up, where it's the case of two highly regarded cops being framed, finding themselves in jail and then breaking out in a race against the clock to clear them names, while also trying to stay alive. The chemistry between Stallone and Russell is a complete blast amongst the witty exchanges and macho posturing. There are thrilling set-pieces and over-the-top stunt work in that when it eventuates it's nothing but high octane. Another names to fill the cast; Geoffrey Lewis, James Hong, Terri Hatcher (looking great - but an amusing cross-dressing moment with Russell gives her a run for her money), Edward Bunker, Michael J Pollard (whose character had me thinking of James Bond with the devices his character created), Michael Jeter, Clint Howard and the impressive square jaw of Robert Z'Dar. "Tango & Cash" is primitively basic, quick moving and predictable, but still effectively well-done for what it is.

A lesser-known action classic

[bowmanblue · 7/10 · 5 August 2016]

Okay, so maybe 'classic' is a little generous to describe Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell's collaboration 'Tango and Cash,' but just because it isn't up there with 'The Godfather' doesn't mean that it isn't a whole load of daft fun. Our two action heroes play the two titular characters – both 'hero' cops in L.A. who get framed by a mob boss for a crime they didn't commit and have to then go about proving their innocence.

Stallone and Russell make it watchable as they're both clearly enjoying themselves in their roles (special mention to Kurt when he dresses up in women's clothes!) and that's about all the film is good for. Jack Palance is the villain whose scenes seem to have been filmed after the filming and then just dropped in afterwards. He does his best to be menacing, but because he never properly interacts with our heroes, he seems almost a bit redundant.

You may have heard the phrase 'suspend your disbelief.' Well, this is one film where, if you're to get anything out of it at all, you have to do just that. Nothing really makes sense if you scrutinise it. The story bounces from one action-packed ridiculous scene to the next with no real explanation for what has gone on in order to get our protagonists to that stage. It almost feels like a computer game where you're watching one stand-alone level after the next.

I enjoyed 'Tango and Cash,' but I'm quite aware that some people will find it too ridiculous to appreciate. When I watched it, my group were laughing at just how bizarre and totally stupid things were getting. Take, for example, the scene where our cops are finally sent to prison – the head mob boss visits them one night – yes, he actually 'breaks in' to prison – then, when the fighting starts, he just 'breaks out' again and no one really says anything. Then you have scenes involving car chases where the heroes' vehicle changes from one scene to the next. It's just bad. But, like I said, if you're in the mood to suspend your disbelief, it's actually quite good fun.

Sure, it may be a 'poor man's Lethal Weapon' but if you like your 'buddy cop' movies loud and dumb, you should get something out of this. Did I mention Kurt Russell 'drags up?' Just don't get me started on one of the henchmen's awful attempt at a cockney accent!

An immensely entertaining late 80's buddy cop action comedy treat

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 11 January 2009]

Neat, dapper, suave Ray Tango (a pleasingly wry performance by Sylvester Stallone) and loud, boorish, scruffy Gabe Cash (Kurt Russell in peak slobby form) are the two top cops in Los Angeles. The mismatched "Odd Couple"-style pair get sent to prison on trumped-up charges by cunning crime kingpin Yves Perret (essayed with deliciously hammy brio by Jack Palance). The duo escape from the joint and go after Perret. Director Andrei Konchavlovsky, working from a witty script by Randy Feldman, keeps the snappy pace hurtling along at a nonstop breakneck pace, stages the rousing action set pieces with rip-roaring verve (a protracted prison breakout and the wild pull out all the stops explosive finale rate as the definite heart-pounding highlights), and maintains a cheerfully ridiculous tongue-in-cheek tone throughout. The excellent cast of familiar faces further energize the lively proceedings: Stallone and Russell have an absolute blast sending up their larger-than-life macho screen images, the insanely foxy Teri Hatcher lights up the screen as Tango's sweet hottie dancer sister Katherine, Brion James sports a red ponytail and an alarmingly atrocious British accent as Perret's slimy limey henchman Requin, the enormous Robert Z'Dar displays all the galvanizing ferocity of a rabid pit bull as vicious hoodlum Face, and Michael J. Pollard contributes an amusing turn as flaky weapons master Owen. Moreover, we've got nifty support from Geoffrey Lewis as Ray's disapproving superior Captain Schroeder, Eddie Bunker as the gruff Captain Holmes, James Hong as smooth crime lord Quan, Marc Alaimo as antsy fellow underworld boss Lopez, and Clint Howard as deranged psycho convict Slinky. Better still, there's even a hysterically over-pronounced streak of rampant homoeroticism complete with the inevitable prison shower scene and an especially gut-busting piece of cross-dressing courtesy of Kurt Russell. Donald E. Thorin's slick cinematography gives the picture an attractive glossy look. Harold Faltermeyer's jaunty, rousing score likewise hits the exciting spot. A really fun flick.

Good old fashioned cheesy action movie

[skiptonbloke · 6/10 · 21 May 2019]

Dont expect a great plot line or original story just good old fashioned cheesy action and terrible one liners which is what makes this movie so easy to watch. Great fun for a day off

Remarkably ridiculous and ceaselessly chaotic

[randomhouser · 1/10 · 26 June 2017]

So just where does one sensibly begin to review a film of sheer nonsense? The story of two warped cops who are hell bent, at any cost, on rivaling for all the glory of fame. Ray Tango, a flagrant and inflated man, who ironically seems to have not a thing in his life to be inflated about, of whom although, is somehow financially well off, is madly bored from the dullness of his worthless life, and therefore, thankfully for the world, risks it everyday to pursue the criminal, because, to have made a real difference in it, could of course only begin and end with the permanent arrestation of himself. Gabriel Cash, a reckless cop, flowing with vanity, who becomes more criminal in his pursuance, than the criminals he actually pursues, just so to see his pitiful face on the back-page of a decaying newspaper. No sooner in the film, just when heaven seems to have done the city a great service, by having him shot to pieces in his own cave, disappointingly departs from it unscathed. Our third villain, Jack Palance, a Big Boss millionaire of organized crime, who seems with all his money, and all his connectivity in underground networking, to be just outright impotent in triumphing over two men of even greater impotence. Tango and Cash, framed as they become, for the sake of the city, in a staged sting operation, with forms of testimony, and manufactured articles, that could only be evidently admitted, in the most nut-bound asylum of courthouse quacks, signs and seals their guilt. If it has not become mad enough this far into the film, they no sooner thereafter happen to find themselves back home, in their chaotic stay of prison, combating with about three dozen unsupervised prisoners, within a dungeoness boiler room, unleashing drop kicks, groin punches, and what ever other barbaric tendencies form, from the privation of their frail and shriveled heads, until they at-length just get a bit overwhelmed and ungratified. Hung and ready for the torture of death appears out of a shadowy corner, Big Boss millionaire yven, descending both these glory-seeking deplorables, at his pleasure, into a tub of water with thousands of volts coursing through their bodies, and with no one to of course help them, is somehow happening in the place of a maximum security prison, without guards, and without rules, and with numbers of clamorous prisoners as free as birds, is of a scene that could only seem conceivable to, an audience of the most delusionaly demented. Finally come storming in, in this unbelievably absurd episode, are guards from all corners, and in all directions, just in time of course to save our two heroes, with Big boss , and everyone else scattering and slipping into the cracks of the walls, like scurrying rats, to remain unapprehendable, is again a segment that can only be at all realistically imaginable to an overdosing drug addict on every substance a white-coat could prescribe. During the view of this film, or should we call, fantastic dream, just when you think it has reached the height of it's absurdity, another scene convinces you otherwise, until you are at length astounded on just how excessive an unhinged imagination can leap.

This film is NOT F.U.B.A.R.

[MrBark · 9/10 · 17 February 2004]

This film is not F.U.B.A.R. However, it did teach me what that term means. It's not often that a film this cheesy, this good can enter your heart. "Tango & Cash" isn't just a movie. It's an institution.

The common mistake many people make when they view this film is that they judge it in a conventional way. Bad move. Why? Because when you judge it in a conventional way, you get a seemingly bad film. For example, one-dimensional characters, cookie-cutter plot, one-liners every minute, etc.

However, this film rises above the conventions of film making. Sly and Kurt have a good chemistry, and that more than carries the film. However, this film has the added benefit of cheese.

Why are cheesy films looked down upon? Sure, in real life criminal masterminds can't lease/buy a former military base. Of course they never have a mechanized infantry. Surely even if they did, two men with a fully armed SUV wouldn't be able to conquer such a criminal empire.

I suppose I should have labeled that a spoiler, but is it? Is there any doubt how a movie like this is going to end? No, and that's the beauty of it.

If you like cheese, you will LOVE this film. If you don't like cheese, then you should probably watch your copy of "Titanic" for the 100th time.

Stallone Ends The 80's With A Camp Whimper, Rather Than A Bang!!

[slightlymad22 · 6/10 · 22 January 2016]

Continuing my plan to watch every Sly Stallone movie in order, I come to 1989's Tango & Cash

Plot In A Paragraph: L.A's top two cops Tango (Stallone) and Cash (Kurt Russell) are jailed, after being framed for murder, and must escape to clear their names.

Suited up and wearing his own glasses Stallone looks great in this (and he should since he had someone fired since the were not lighting him well enough) Russell is at his wise cracking charismatic best, whilst Palance is in full pantomime villain mode. In a world where no matter the situation, a hero always has a funny quip, and an unlimited supply of bullets, it's easy to watch with your brain in neutral, but it poor film making, and just not very good.

How on earth did this movie miss like it did?? Sly and Kurt Russell in a buddy cop movie, with Jack Palance as the bad guy and Teri Hatcher as a love interest. Well the production was beset with problems from the start. The intended star, Patrick Swayze, dropped out to star in Roadhouse. As with 'Lock Up' principal photography began without a completed script. Sylvester Stallone had the original director of photography, Barry Sonnenfeld, fired. Then, the producer, Jon Peters, fired the director, Andrey Konchalovskiy. The film ultimately went $20 million over budget and had to be completely reedited by Stuart Baird prior to release.

Once again, Stallone altered the script!! One example on this occasion was when Brion James was originally hired to play Requin, it was a very small role with only two lines. In an effort to give the character something that would make him stand out, James decided to speak in a cockney accent. Stallone loved it, and rewrote the entire script to give Requin a much bigger role.

It's one of the worst movies in Stallones post 'Rocky' filmography!! Utter none sense, but camp fun. When it could have been the start of a Lethal Weapon style franchise. Instead it's a missed opportunity and a mess like Cobra.

More like Tango and Cash MONEY!!! Woo! Or maybe not...

[sirbriang2 · 4/10 · 16 October 2005]

Popping this movie in your DVD player makes about as much sense as shoving cottage cheese in your ears. Sure, it might feel nice and cool for a moment, but in the span of two hours, those curdles start to bother you. That said, I have to point out a few of the odd premises in this movie.

First and foremost, Stallone is the "smart" guy? Who made that decision? I'm sorry, that just ruined my suspension of disbelief. It's not like both characters were rich, smart, suave businessmen/cops. Russell played the same role he played in "Big Trouble in Little China": a mullet. If you've seen "Rambo III," you know Stallone could have easily filled that part. Besides, Russell's character has to dress up in drag. Stallone does a good job as an ugly, muscular, broad-shouldered gal in "Nighthawks;" I think he could have done it again here.

A major part of this movie is the fact that Tango and Cash are such great cops that their exploits are front-page news every time. Thats not so bad, but the articles name and show pictures of Tango and Cash. I don't know about you, but I have read the Chicago Tribune for many years and have yet to see a front page headline naming a police officer in any positive context. Clearly, Chicago needs better cops, cops like Tango and Cash.

It's weird...Jack Palance is the bad guy in this movie, and he's exactly the same character he plays in "Batman." Only, instead of loving Jerry Hall, he loves mice in this one.

So, the basic premise of this movie is that Tango and Cash are busting drugs like crazy. This makes them celebrities. Jack Palance has the great job of being the shadowy underworld boss that nobody knows about or even suspects of existing. Clearly, he needs to come out in the open an take care of Tango and Cash to get back at them for all the drug busting. However, he can't kill them because that would make them martyrs... or dead cops. Jack seemed more concerned with the former, but I would guess the whole "murdering-celebrity-cops-bit" would be the bigger problem. Whatever. So, Jack sets up Tango and Cash, sending them to prison for something they didn't do. When they break out (of course they do), Jack's minions want to kill Tango and Cash. Jack says no, and then sends out someone to kill them anyway. Well, what kind of plot logic do you expect from a movie that has Kurt Russell dress up as a "sexy" woman and get away with it?