Scanialara You won't be disappointed!

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Billie Morin This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

eliotkeith The specialist is no citizen Kane, in fact it isn't even in the same ballpark as the great action movies of the 90s, but it is a serviceable movie with a dashing lead and a gorgeous femme fatale of a leading lady in Sylvester Stallone and Sharon Stone respectively. Shot deftly by Peruvian director Luis Llosa the film falters if you try to think too much- which is what the critics at the time did. Stallone is beefy enough and still in his prime to run around Miami and the likes with Stone in tow. You should watch the Specialist if you happen to belong in the following two categories: a.) Fans of Sylvester Stallone; b.) Nostalgic need for older action films.

Predrag The story of the movie has Stallone stars as Ray Quick, a former CIA bomb expert now retired in Miami after an operation against a South American drug lord went horribly wrong, resulting in the death of a child. Ray is coaxed out of retirement by May Munro,played by Stone, to help her get revenge on the powerful organized crime family -- headed up by Joe Leon and his son Tomas -- that killed her parents years before. In the meantime, Ray's former partner Ned Trent is on the Leon family payroll and is seeking his own kind of revenge on Ray. As Ray executes Leon's soldiers one by one, his attraction to May boils over into a steamy encounter in the shower - which the primary reason why one may view the movie, a prelude to an explosive finale.What keeps the film going is a balance between the incredible explosions (one of which allows a hotel floor to disengage itself from its structural base) and the superb acting of James Woods, who seems to be working as some kind of CIA spook with authority over the local police but is really on the pad of a crime boss, played shrilly by a balding Rod Steiger, who is guilty of badly overacting. Woods does what he can to keep the disparate elements of an off-balanced movie like this one on track. To his credit, he manages to give more than a note of authenticity even to the scenes that defy logic and analysis. The relationship between Woods and Stallone on a reverse-buddy level is far more of note that the hoped for sexual sizzle between Stallone and Stone.Overall rating: 7 out 10.

juneebuggy This is one of those movies I know I shouldn't like but (secretly) really do. Its a revenge thriller from the early nineties and watches like a sexy, slightly crazy mob movie with over the top bad guys, lots of (unique) explosions and one hell of a sexy shower scene after we've finished with all the foreplay over the phone.Sylvester Stallone plays Ray Quick, an ex-bomb specialist who works for hire. Ray is tortured about his past, living off the grid and riding the bus. After several breathy phone calls he agrees to take that one last job before retiring. He's been contacted by May Munro (Sharon Stone), a woman seeking revenge against the Leon crime family who murdered her parents when she was a girl. For some reason she still finds it necessary to sleep with the head mobster's son, (Eric Roberts) which in turn makes her character pretty annoying throughout, as she slinks around showing side boob, acting bitchy and looking miserable.There are a few twists, lots of big explosions, -the one with the front part of the hotel falling into the water is great and of course the scene in the shower which showcases Stallone in his prime and yeah, he looks fantastic, Stone does too.I enjoyed the entire cast; Eric Roberts is also perfect as the spoilt, privileged and brutal son of mob boss Rod Steiger who I also enjoyed and James "get a better shirt" Woods is awesome, manically over the top as the bad guy. His character really grew on me by the end, kinda fun in his increasingly frustrating mission to hunt Ray down. This one is definitely a guilty favourite.One question: why doesn't Ray ever drive? He rides the bus even takes out some hooligans in a ultra cheesy scene. He manages to navigate a speed a boat fine.

callanvass In 1984, a couple of bomb specialists, Ray Quick & Ned Trent kill some children on a school bus when Ned Trent refuses to activate the fail- safe on the bombs. Ray refuses to be associated with Trent any longer, and turns him in. Ray is presently an outsider, living in Miami Florida, doing odd jobs here and there. May Munro has secretive phone calls with Ray about bombing the Leons, Tomas & Joe. May witnessed the Leons kill her parents as a child from the closet of her room. Ray initially declines the offer, but his outlook changes when Ned Trent is working with the Leons. Ostensibly, the script for The Specalist was passed around a bit. Steven Seagal was offered the lead role, but turned it down when they wouldn't pay him 9 million. Stallone refused the lead part as well at first, but was goaded into it after a while. I'm glad Seagal turned the part down. He didn't fit the description for Ray Quick. In all honesty? Stallone should have gone with his first instinct, and said no to this movie. I'm a die-hard fan of Sylvester Stallone, but i'd be lying if I said he hasn't made some forgettable stinkers in his career. After a suspenseful opening with Stallone & James Woods at their absolute best, this goes down the toilet rather quickly. For starters, it's WAY too talky. Instead of infusing it with action like they should have, they fill it with plenty of uninteresting dialog. The only action we get are some dull explosions, and an amusing action sequence that involves Sly, kicking some ass on a bus to defend an old woman's honor. There is also plenty of steamy flirting with Stallone & Stone on the phone if that interests you, as well as some awkward love-making. Sylvester Stallone can peel a potato for three hours, and I would still be entertained. He sleepwalks through a lot of this film, and looks rather indifferent. There are a few scenes where we get the patented Stallone charisma, but he just looked bored. It is hard to take his character seriously when he has a cat named Timer (!) It wasn't a bad performance by any means, just rather ordinary for him. Sharon Stone gives the best performance in the film (Not by much) with her sexy showcase. I thought she elevated this film with her presence alone. James Woods gives it 100%, and I have to commend him for it. Not many people go nuts like Woods does. I love the guy. Eric Roberts is decent for the most part. He had some good intensity, but his part felt phony. Rod Steiger embarrasses himself with his hammy performance. He annoyed the crap out of me with that accent as well.Final Thoughts: Despite some twists and turns, the competent acting, and the potential it has, this movie isn't very good. I admit to owning this movie, simply because I love Sylvester Stallone. It's a below average film that lacks action, script coherency, and thrills. I'd say pass4.8/10