Point of No Return

Starring:Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, Dermot Mulroney, Miguel Ferrer, Anne Bancroft, Olivia d'Abo, Richard Romanus, Harvey Keitel, Lorraine Toussaint, Geoffrey Lewis, Mic Rodgers, Michael Rapaport, Ray Oriel, Spike McClure, Lieux Dressler, John Capodice, Carmen Zapata, Calvin Levels, Michael Runyard, Bill M. Ryusaki
Director: John Badham
Studio: Warner Home Video
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Point of No Return is one of those Hollywood remakes of a European hit in which one can visualize a committee of studio executives sitting around and saying, "Okay, we know what made the original film unique and different and fun. How can we make that same movie and do exactly the opposite?" For-hire director John Badham (Saturday Night Fever) took La Femme Nikita, Luc Besson's undeniably sexy, original, and kitschy French film about a female assassin, and translated it into a calculating, mechanistic American thriller with no distinctive style. Bridget Fonda gamely plays the willowy street punk who becomes a high-society killer, but once that provocative irony is in place, the movie is pretty much a series of by-the-numbers action set pieces. Until, that is, Dermot Mulroney shows up as a love interest; but even that twist can't save this film. You're much better off with the original, subtitles and all. --Tom Keogh

Description

"Bridget Fonda is pure dynamite" (WWOR-TV) as a murderous misfit reprogrammed as a high-tech assassin. Gabriel Byrne and Anne Bancroft co-star in "one of the top thrillers of the year" (ABC Radio Network). Year: 1993 Director: John Badham Starring: Bridget Fonda, Gabriel Byrne, Dermot Mulroney

Customer Reviews:

Americanized _La Femme Nikita_.......2007-06-06

Fun treatment of the French Noir Moderne classic _La Femme Nikita_, without any pretensions of grandeur. This film clearly needs some fine-print in the credits stating "we only did it for the money," but is a much more light-hearted & trendy take on the darker & more brooding French original. They're both excellent films, but PoNR being a better "movie & a pizza" choice while the original is perhaps better reserved for the serious film buffs out there. There's whole fan sites dedicated to this movie, largely due to Bridget Fonda's excellent work in injecting life back into what was essentially a story that had been "sanitized for American audiences" by an idiot-run big-budget Hollywood movie machine. Oh well, you can rarely go wrong underestimating the standards of the American public, but they almost did so when dumbing-down LFN. Fortunately, the actors & director on PoNR did a great job & by giving everything they had, brought an otherwise eviscerated cinematic story back to life. Kudos!

Do not waste your time or money, see the original.......2007-03-06

Do not waste your time or money, see the original. Once in awhile, a remake of a movie from another culture works; for example, Seven Samurai becomes "Magnificant Seven" -- Most of the time, the remake is trash. The original "La Femme Nikita" is a great movie: exciting with a strong political viewpoint; this version is simply Hollywood pablum.

action, romance a winner.......2007-01-21

Bridget Fonda is outstanding in this role. Good mix of action and romance. I have recommended it to several friends and they all love it too.
I also "love Nina".

I've seen wayyyy better... even Fonda's hotness couldn't save it.......2006-12-01

I have never saw the original Nikita merely because its hard to find. I settled with the American remake as a last resort insted. It can't be that bad its got a few legendary actors in it like Gabriel Byrne, Harvey Keitel & Anne Bancroft in it. Not to mention my childhood dream woman Bridget Fonda. Damn is she sexy. But boy was I so wrong.

Anyways, the film is very violent for all the wrong reasons. Has swearing for all the wrong reasons. Even a drug addict like Fonda wouldn't mouth off everytime she opens her mouth. Thats not the girl I fell for. The pace is every sloppy. Its hard to believe how many holes in the screenplay there are for such a simple story. What is the major problem is its lack of plot. You just sit there after her missions not knowing what will happen. Its unpredicable in a bad way. There are no twists off any kind. I found the ending quite stupid. It seemed like an easy way out because the movie was almost at its 2 hour point. After the credits I felt dissapointed.

As for the actors. The beautiful Bridget Fonda puts in a good one in my book. Her blank stares are quite annoying but her sexy angry look works so well for this movie. Gabriel Byrne one of favourites puts in a kind but strict performance as he gradually becomes a father/kinda love interest figure to Fonda. Who wouldn't fall in love with her? The two work well together I'll give you that. R.I.P Anne Bancroft, forever Mrs. Robinson to me, is also scrict but very understanding to Fonda.Its also good to see her in films now that she passed away around 6 years ago I think. Finally Harvey Keitel, good in his early career is very dull at this point but since his playing a character who is dull and coldhearted, lets nothing get in his way, has no attachments and is plain evil works for this movie I guess. You see how generous I am to the actors. I could be mean to them for being in a so-so movie but I like them too much to say bad things about them. Oh did I mention I think Bridget Fonda is sexy.

A Surprisingly Very Good Remake: American Style!.......2006-10-15

I have seen, "La Femme Nikita," and it is a very good film. However, "Point Of No Return," is also a very good film. More importantly, it holds its own very well. One of the main characters is (Bridget Fonda) as the assassin working for a spy agency that you are never really sure about. Are they working in the best interests of the country? Or are they somewhere on the fringe working as a rogue agency within the CIA? Their loyalties are never really delved into. However, one thing is for sure; they are in the business of assassination. And it is the way the agency recruits their assassins that make this an interesting film. [no spoilers]

Enter the main protagonist portrayed by (Bridget Fonda). Fonda has found herself in a very difficult situation [no spoilers]. Moreover, it concerns a matter of life or death. Therefore, she feels compelled to work for this agency: even though she continously wants out of it. (Gabriel Byrne) portrays the agent in charge of her assassinations. He is an unsympathetic character, and you get the feeling that he himself was pulled into the agency in much the same way as Fonda. However, my favorite character is played by (Harvey Keitel), known simply as 'the cleaner'. He is an agent who cleans up the mistakes that members of the agency create. There are some really shocking scenes with him. I highly recommend the film. Don't compare it with the other, they are different, and both deserving of praise. Recommended!

Average customer rating:

CAVEAT EMPTOR
They have got to be kidding.
It is a bad deal.
Not terribly useful collection
Some Winners and Some Losers

Dozen DVD Deal - Action

Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

( D ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Action & Adventure | Boxed Sets | Stores | DVD | Video

Customer Reviews:

CAVEAT EMPTOR.......2005-05-11

BUYER BEWARE! This looks like a lowball of a deal if you consider that most of the movies depicted are the worst Hollywood has ever produced and delivered. I would look at the reviews and perhaps rent each individual movie before you by them all together. Here's a view of some of them:

'The Big Red One': Without question one of the worst WWII/D-Day films ever produced in every respect (technically and historically.) The film stars Lee Marvin who's much too old to play a grunt on the beaches of Normandy. The film is riddled with cliches and bad scenes from beginning to end. It wasn't even filmed in Europe but Israel. Yes, the coasts and beaches in Israel look so much like Normandy it's striking! It's about as bad as setting Auschwitz in Death Valley for a Holocaust film.

'The Gauntlet': Dirty Harry-type Eastwood movie where he's got to protect a witness against corrupt cops. Not a bad movie but not his best either: far below his Dirty Harry films or his westerns.

'Point of No Return': American version of "La Femme Nikita" starring Bridget Fonda. O.K. but the French version was better and more realistic.

'The Sea Wolves': Humor-action WWII movie starring Roger Moore. This one is actually pretty good with a lot of action.

'Soldier': Probably the worst movie that Kurt Russel ever starred in where he has an even smaller script than Schwarzeneger in "Terminator." Pathetic: not even worth watching once.

'Tango and Cash': Comedy-action cop movie with Kurt Russel and Sylvester Stallone. O.K. but after a while you begin to wonder whether you're laughing at the film or the fact that this was even made into a movie.

'Victory': Good movie about a soccer team of prisoners in WWII starrring Michael Caine and Sylvester Stallone. This film is probably the best one out of the entire selection.

'When Trumpets Fade': Another one of the absolutely worst war films ever produced regarding the obscure battle of Hurtigen Forest at the close of WWII in Europe. A pathetic film with a horrible screenplay and equally disgraceful acting: avoid like the plague! I got it for free as a bonus to buying 'Band of Brothers' and I threw it away after one viewing as I couldn't stop laughing as to how bad this movie was.

Save your money and buy the few good films in this packet separately. Most of the movies in this package are not worth buying trust me!

They have got to be kidding........2005-03-20

There are maybe two OK movies in this "Deal", the rest are junk. I do not want to own any of them personally. The best part is the deal itself. Every single one of these movies can be had for less than ten bucks. If they chopped the first number of the price, they might be able to call it a deal.

It is a bad deal........2004-11-18

With the market for the DVD's being so competetive you can buy these DVDs individually at a much cheaper price than as an action pack on amazon. Don't be fooled go else where. The movies are good so I'd get them just not all at once like this.

David

Not terribly useful collection.......2003-09-12

While the movies here in and of themselves are not 'bad' movies, unless you really want to buy them all you would probably be better off seeking the specific movies that you want rather than coughing up $115 for them here.

Some Winners and Some Losers.......2003-09-10

This is an interesting set of DVDs.

There are some good films here and some not so great.

"The Big Red One" is a much overlooked war film starring, believe it or not, Mark Hamill of "Star Wars" fame. The story is told very well.

"Fort Apache, The Bronx" stars Paul Newman and is really not so bad a cop film. If you like that genre, this is a good addition to your collection. Again, a well told story, if not a little dated.

"The Gauntlet" is a pretty good Clint Eastwood movie from 1977. Not one of his best, but not one of his worst either.

"Point of No Return" is the American version of "LaFemme Nikita" starring Bridget Fonda. The original is the better movie, but this one works. Its a fun watch.

"Ricochet" stars a pre-Oscar win Denzel Washington and a very over the top John Lithgow. It passes for entertainment, but barely. Lindsay Wagner shows up, if that helps.

"Soldier" is a Kurt Russel movie that he worked out for. Nice pecs, Kurt.

"Tango and Cash" is actually a pretty good film. Importantly, it does NOT take itself too seriously and it fun to watch. It stars Kurt Russel and Sylvester Stallone in their prime action-hero days.

"Victory" is a great film. The best featured here. It is placed in a concentration camp in WWII and its about soccer. You're intrigued, right? Its actually a very good movie, uplifting and well told. Again we have Sylvester Stallone and he's joined by Michael Caine and Pele (soccer superstar).

Obviously, there are some good films in this collection. Dont write it off without a consideration.

Point of No Return
Average customer rating:
Point of No Return

Manufacturer: IFM World Releasing Inc.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video
( P ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000MX80G6
Release Date: 2007-01-26

Description

A fast paced dramatic thriller set in locations throughout Victoria, Australia. Grady (Marcus Graham) an ex-soldier whose life has been disrupted and his emotions disturbed, by his experiences at war and in prison, escapes from police custody after attending the burial of his murdered brother, Chris. Although free he is 'on the run' and is driven by his desire for freedom and a need to avenge his brother's death by finding his killer. With his hands still handcuffed Grady returns home and he turns to his former lover Kate, for help. Initially, Kate is not pleased to see Grady but she reluctantly agrees to help him. Grady attempts to call in some favors from his old cell mate, Keith, who together with Grady, Chris and their cousin Frank, were involved in money laundering operations. Keith is now keen to stay on the side of the law. Keith tells Grady that Frank and Chris were in business together and that Frank should not be trusted - Chris had made that mistake and now he was dead. Grady and Kate drive to Chris's country house and on their arrival they meet Frank Maguire. Frank is very nervous and Grady suspects that Chris was betrayed by the people whom he trusted most. They find a number of clues that Chris had left and they piece together the events leading to his death. Thrown together again they realize that their passion for each other still exists and, in an all explosive climax they are forced to fight for their lives - and their future. Director: Vincent Monton Executive Producer: David Hannay Producer: Phillip Emanuel Writer: Vincent Monton Principal Cast: Marcus Graham / Doug Bowles / Nikki Coghill Set In: Australia Copyright (c) 1995 Phillip Emanuel Productions Pty Ltd

Average customer rating:

The Crush/Point of No Return
Starring: Cary Elwes , Alicia Silverstone , Jennifer Rubin , Kurtwood Smith , and Amber Benson
Director: Alan Shapiro , and John Badham
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

( C ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: B0000DC15A
Release Date: 2003-11-18

Vabank II, Czyli Riposta (Point of No Return) - PAL DVD

Average customer rating:

Vabank II, Czyli Riposta (Point of No Return) - PAL DVD

Manufacturer: Master Tape
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B0007KRAI8

Product Description

This is very rare PAL DVD (EUROPEAN TV VIDEO STANDARD) without region coding, officially released in Russia by studio "Master Tape". DVD has two soundtracks: original POLISH and RUSSIAN (voice-over). CUSTOMERS FROM NORTH AMERICA and JAPAN: Please, make sure your DVD player supports PAL DVDS (Europe, Australia, and Asia) before bidding; otherwise you can watch PAL DVDS on computer with DVD-ROM.

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