Pressure Point (1997)

Hopeless, 22 May 2020

After CIA operative Sebastian Dellacourt (Don Mogavero) botches an assassination attempt, he’s tried and sentenced to jail.  Sometime later, one of Dellacourt’s old bosses offers him a chance at freedom if he’ll complete one last mission - bust up a dangerous militia bent on destroying the US government.  

I think I’ve rated every movie I’ve seen from Edgewood Studios a 3/10.  For Pressure Point, there are so many problems I could point to that it’s really not worth the time and/or effort.  The screenplay, the dialogue, the acting, the fight choreography - it’s all so hopelessly pathetic.  I suppose, however, that one of the biggest problems with Pressure Point is lead actor (and writer) Don Mogavero.  He’s pretty much the antithesis of an action star.  No offence meant toward the man, but Mogavero looks more like he should be playing an accountant rather than a CIA hitman.  He’s got a dad bad, a disappearing hairline, and all the athletic grace you’d expect from a middle-age white dude.  Now that i’ve written that, I realize he doesn’t sound that dissimilar to me.  Hey, maybe I’m an action star and I just don’t know it!

There are many, many little things about Pressure Point that left me scratching my head.  Things like: What’s up with the total lack of security at that maximum security prison?  I think I saw a total of three guards - and two of those were on a smoke break.  Or, where is this film supposed to be taking place?  Vermont?  Delaware?  Who knows?  Or, is it really that easy to steal a helicopter from a group of law enforcement agents?  It’s like taking candy from a baby.  Or, could Dellacourt’s prison escape have been any more awkward looking?  He can’t run very fast, he has all the jumping ability of a walrus, and he’s wearing a prison outfit that’s about three sizes too big.  Smooth it ain’t.  Or . . . well, you get the idea.  From an empty six-pack of Diet Coke used as a weapon to sticks of dynamite in a microwave, there’s a lot here to ponder.

Finally, I want to mention two things in Pressure Point that I actually enjoyed.  First, Steve Railsback easily acts circles around everyone else in the cast.  He also makes a fantastic baddie.  The movie might have been better had he had more screen time, but i’m sure they didn’t have the budget for that.  Second, it was “nice” spotting Matthew Bruch in a small role.  If you’re a “fan” of the Edgewood Studios’ classic Time Chasers, then you’re all too familiar with Bruch.  Go Castleton!

3/10