Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Sameer Callahan
It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.
Patience Watson
One of those movie experiences that is so good it makes you realize you've been grading everything else on a curve.
Predrag
Between the brilliant The Terminator and (for me) some of his most entertaining movies (The Running Man, Red Heat, Total Recall) Arnold Schwarzenegger starred in this typical 80's action film where he plays a former FBI agent tasked with infiltrating a Chicago crime syndicate and tracking down an informer responsible for the deaths of many law enforcement officers. Despite the unimaginative plot and, at times excruciatingly clunky dialogue this is nevertheless an effective vehicle for Arnie to display his physical prowess and developing acting skills. There's a good number of action scenes and they're mostly centered around total havoc and maximum destruction; Arnie blows up an entire chemical plant to fake his own death, drives a tow-truck through a building, has an epic nightclub shootout, demolishes a construction site… There's even a five-minute scene of Arnie just cocking, locking, and loading a suitcase full of guns before his final Archer-style rampage. The rest of the film is fairly by-the-numbers; old guys in suits being corrupt, comically inept Chicago mobsters who couldn't whack a whack-a-mole, let alone a bozo wiseguy.The acting? It's decent. Schwarzenegger is Schwarzenegger which means that Schwarzenegger isn't Anthony Hopkins. In terms of acting, Schwarzenegger isn't even Thelma Hopkins. But, here, he's ably upheld by his supporting cast, the most recognizable of whom are Darren McGavin, Murphy Brown's Joe Regalbuto, and the ever untrustworthy Robert Davi. Kathryn Harrold is so-so as the love interest (and, mind you, she's not the wife), actually shining for a moment in a restaurant scene with Arnold as she takes him to task for his lack of amorousness. A classic from Arnold's early days.Overall rating: 7 out of 10.
willcundallreview
Rating-4/10Raw Deal is an action movie fuelled by death, thrill pumping fighting and some pretty Arnie like lines+moves. The movie itself is kind of enjoyable if you take it for what it is and don't poke too many holes, but lets get serious for a moment, this movie isn't no masterpiece, this is pretty poor and one movie that has some big problems once looked into properly. It is fun though no doubt, the kind of film an Arnold Schwarzenegger fan looks forward to all week long.The story kind of works, and I mean that, it is pretty thrilling and you generally don't know what's going to happen. Now that doesn't mean the story is perfect far from it, it has a lot of parts where guys sit around talking about mob stuff, the kind of thing that in film, gets just a little boring. It has it's action quota as you would imagine, the blood is really fake but no matter, the body count is high and the way some of them die, well that kind of stuff would work in a comedy.Now Arnie isn't so bad here, he doesn't hit his heights as an action man hero but certainly gives off a good vibe when fighting all those bad guys. I think if you want real dramatic action, don't look here, leaving the supporting cast alone a minute, Schwarzenegger's cigar chomping under cover persona is insane, I mean he just looks suspicious, and then the way he delivers his lines, just not so good in that department. The cast isn't so bad, they support well they really do but the kind of basic plot coupled with bad directing and writing make this a hard one to turn into gold, I did feel Paul Shenar gives a good go at it, but that really isn't enough.John Irvin the man behind this movie shouldn't be ashamed of what he made, after all this movie is not detestable, just way under average. The major flaws are laid out before you in one, a script that really does nothing, and two directing that makes the people fall down in the most ridiculous ways. So what if your looking for the positives, I felt the technical side was pretty good, some nice stunts performed and there's one particular explosion that is very well made.Would I say don't watch this?, no I would fully recommend this, and to anyone even if you think action isn't for you, give it a go and take in the wonderful sight of an Austrian mafia member, just good fun. I think in all honesty this gives what you think it will, can please some but not others and this will not give you good drama so stay clear if you like a lot of that. The reviews are not pretty when it comes to this movie either, I don't really know what most people who have seen this think but I couldn't help feel that many will like this, but especially action movie junkies.Overall a movie that is not so kind in the career of Arnold Schwarznegger, but also one that I don't think deserves to go on his "Worst of Career" slideshow. This is good old action, thrills, maybe not so many car chases but there are some, and shoot outs, oh boy this has many of them. This even tries it's hand at emotion, I mean you'll have to see what I mean but it does, it's kind of funny really, because the next minute, Arnie's blowing someone 10 feet in the air with a pump shotgun.
utgard14
Arnold Schwarzenegger "classic" actioner full of unintentional comedy. Arnold plays a small town sheriff who used to be an FBI agent. He was kicked out of the FBI because he roughed up a suspect ("He molested, murdered and mutilated her!"). But now Arnold has a chance to get back in if he goes undercover inside a mobster's gang. So naturally he agrees, fakes his death, and doesn't tell his wife a thing! Laughable to the extreme, this movie would have killed a lesser mortal's career. But not Ah-nold. Riding high after the Conan films, Terminator, and Commando, I suppose he was allowed one stinker. He would follow this with Predator and Running Man to prove to the world he was still the action champ. Honestly, it's not a great movie. Even for a dumb action movie, it's especially stupid. But it does have a lot of funny moments; most of which are unintended. If you are an Arnold fan or a fan of '80s action movies, regardless of quality, definitely give it a shot.
wes-connors
After some bang-up opening action, we learn muscular lawman Arnold Schwarzenegger (as Mark Kaminsky) got a "Raw Deal" after treating criminals harshly. Consequently, he was demoted to small-town sheriff. His inebriated wife makes cake for dinner and throws it at Mr. Schwarzenegger. Good thing she misses. "Don't drink and bake," advises Schwarzenegger. Most significant in the pre-credits is a shoot-out which includes the slaying of an FBI chief's son. Peeved papa Darren McGavin (as Harry Shannon) vows revenge...The main target was a witness due to testify against Chicago mob boss Sam Wanamaker (as Luigi Patrovita). Schwarzenegger is employed by Mr. McGavin to get the goods on Mr. Wanamaker. Going undercover as Joseph "Joey" Brenner, Schwarzenegger infiltrates the gang. He shares champagne and saliva with sexy Kathryn Harold (as Monique). The box office star is bulked up and violent; he knows how to talk on the telephone while posing for the camera, never letting the receiver block his chiseled chin.**** Raw Deal (6/6/86) John Irvin ~ Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kathryn Harold, Sam Wanamaker, Darren McGavin
