Written by Robert Scucci | Published
One of the reasons I love watching Steven Seagal movies is because the man is a legend in his own mind. Every single movie is about how good he is at everything he does, and the unintentional humor comes from the fact that his co-stars look like they know he's a total BS artist. That “good, good” energy, however, works best in films that don't take themselves too seriously. 1991 Bruce Willis comedy, Hudson Hawkhas John McClane himself cracking safes, stealing artefacts, evading the authorities, all the while trying to get a good cappuccino.
Bruce Willis is a legend in his own right in his portrayal of the title character, but he's worse than Steven Seagal because he does everything with a smile and a wink, knowing full well that we're all here to have fun watching the movie.
Currently relegated to ad-supported streaming or on-demand streaming if you're looking for an ad-free experience, Hudson Hawk it might not even be on your radar, which is a shame because it's funnier than it has any right to be. Bruce Willis is a human cartoon character, and it looks like everyone involved had the time of their lives doing this thing.
Indiana Jones meets Die Hard
Eddie “Hudson Hawk” Hawkins is a world-class cat burglar fresh out of prison and determined to stay upright, enjoy a cappuccino, and leave his life of crime behind. Naturally, he was thrown into a massive conspiracy as soon as the prison gates closed behind him. Working alongside his longtime partner, Tommy “Five-Tone” Messina (Danny Aiello), Hawk is guided through a series of master criminals who clash with criminals, CIA agents, and Vatican nun Anna Baragli (Andie MacDowell), all of whom seem to have their own agendas.
As the body count rises and the plot grows more confusing, Hawk discovers that wealthy husband and wife duo Darwin and Minerva Mayflower (Richard E. Grant and Sandra Bernhard) are pulling the strings behind the scenes. Their goal is nothing less than world domination with Leonardo da Vinci's lost invention that could turn lead into gold. Our hero is roaming the globe as a live-action cartoon character, and as the stakes continue to rise, so does the slapstick comedy surrounding them.
Bruce Willis Is A Cartoon Character In Hudson Hawk
However Hudson Hawk's A 23 percent critical score on Rotten Tomatoes would make you think it's in the same league as Steven Seagal's Out for Justice, but that assessment couldn't be further from the truth. Hudson Hawk pure popcorn spectacle, led by one of the hottest action stars of the '90s at the height of his popularity. It's a hidden gem if you're in the mood for a heist flick that doesn't take itself too seriously and isn't shy about it.
Oh yeah, and it's worth mentioning that half the people who regularly argue with Bruce Willis are named after candy bars and are pretty good at being completely incompetent. If that sounds like a good time, you can stream Hudson Hawk free on The Roku Channel as of this writing.
