Another great Chuck Norris vehicle, Code of Silence may be Norris' best film, although I really enjoyed Delta Force 2: The Colombian Connection (1990) and Lone Wolf McQuade (1983). This movie is once again another standard cop action thriller, but it's so standard, so familiar, that it is actually enjoyable. It's greatly helped by Norris, and Andrew Davis' direction.
Andrew Davis is an unsung director, I think. He has such an obvious talent when it comes to film direction, especially when it comes to action scenes. The man made Under Siege (1992) and The Fugitive (1993), and is responsible for The Package (1989), Chain Reaction (1996), and Collateral Damage (2002). He's had more than enough experience directing action movies, and while this is one of his earliest, it's not any worse. Davis paces this well, with great dramatic scenarios and well-staged set-pieces.
Chuck Norris gives his usual stoic, restrained performance. He's ideal for the tough cop role, and he's obviously doing his best Dirty Harry impression. That does make sense, as this totally feels like a Dirty Harry movie. Anyway, Norris is great with what he's given, I think. He has less to do in the martial arts department here, but he has two or three good fights. He also f-bombs, in case you ever wondered what it'd be like to hear Norris drop an f-bomb.
The action sequences, when they happen, are riveting and excellent. The opening shootout is well-done, and the foot chase and train fight are great. Chuck fights a suspect atop a train, and both dive off of it into water. There's also a cool bar fight where Chuck fights lots of dudes, and a great final shootout. Davis deftly handles these scenes with style and flair, and proves that he is indeed a master of his craft.
Again, I find it hard not to award this film the full 5 stars, because like many of Norris' movies, it didn't really wow me at first, but it really grew on me over time. Any Norris or 80s fan will enjoy this one. There's a reason it's hailed as Chuck's best movie.
Andrew Davis is an unsung director, I think. He has such an obvious talent when it comes to film direction, especially when it comes to action scenes. The man made Under Siege (1992) and The Fugitive (1993), and is responsible for The Package (1989), Chain Reaction (1996), and Collateral Damage (2002). He's had more than enough experience directing action movies, and while this is one of his earliest, it's not any worse. Davis paces this well, with great dramatic scenarios and well-staged set-pieces.
Chuck Norris gives his usual stoic, restrained performance. He's ideal for the tough cop role, and he's obviously doing his best Dirty Harry impression. That does make sense, as this totally feels like a Dirty Harry movie. Anyway, Norris is great with what he's given, I think. He has less to do in the martial arts department here, but he has two or three good fights. He also f-bombs, in case you ever wondered what it'd be like to hear Norris drop an f-bomb.
The action sequences, when they happen, are riveting and excellent. The opening shootout is well-done, and the foot chase and train fight are great. Chuck fights a suspect atop a train, and both dive off of it into water. There's also a cool bar fight where Chuck fights lots of dudes, and a great final shootout. Davis deftly handles these scenes with style and flair, and proves that he is indeed a master of his craft.
Again, I find it hard not to award this film the full 5 stars, because like many of Norris' movies, it didn't really wow me at first, but it really grew on me over time. Any Norris or 80s fan will enjoy this one. There's a reason it's hailed as Chuck's best movie.