MovieChat Forums > 48 Hrs. (1982) Discussion > Incredibly stupid move by Cates....

Incredibly stupid move by Cates....

posted 3 years ago by Ripkens25 (1898)
10 replies | jump to latest

Giving up his gun to Gans in the hotel lobby standoff. Beyond stupid!

He had them at a standoff.....there was already lots of gunfire...so cops were sure to be there soon. Cates knew Gans and Billy had to get the heck out of there quickly--they didn't have time to waste in a standoff. Cates may have been at a disadvantage with it being 2 against 1. However, time was on his side. He just needed to remind them...they only had a couple minutes to get out of there before the building would be surrounded. Then...tell them...if they'd let the hostage(s) go, he'd let them escape.

He was still at a disadvantage. But better to be at a disadvantage with a gun...than be at a disadvantage without one. Use your negotiation skills, and be ready to fire.

Giving Gans his gun was suicide. He lost any leverage he may have had.

[–] Burk48917 (10966) 3 years ago

What kind of tightass would nitpick such an inconsequential thing in the movie as a guy making a bad decision in a stressful situation.

See how that works cupcake?

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 3 years ago

It was a life/death situation...not consequential, you moron.

Following me around, still desperately trying to win an argument from an entirely different thread? How pathetic.

[–] Burk48917 (10966) 3 years ago

Don't be daft out of convenience, I obviously replied to this one post of yours as a valid comparison which is hardly "following you around", as much as you wish it were true. Nice try, but you aren't that important to me. And nothing is as pathetic as your love for my cock in your mouth, accept possibly you being so fucking pathetically sad that you'd need to reply to a week old comment with a ridiculously weak argument after all that time.

[–] Ripkens25 (1898) 3 years ago

Keep flailing. The more and more you type, the more desperate you sound. Now you’re just making a fool of yourself. Walk away.

[–] Burk48917 (10966) 3 years ago

Lol, I just fucking owned you, and that's the best you've got?🤣

[–] millsey72 (9527) 3 years ago

Its a plot hole

[–] moviechatterer (13217) 3 years ago

no its not

[–] millsey72 (9527) 3 years ago

He could have easily been shot dead after he gave up his gun. They already shot dead 1 cop upstairs. So its a plot hole

[–] ExTechOp (2737) 3 years ago

Poor judgment isn't a plot hole unless it's RIDICULOUSLY poor

This was only moderately poor - Billy and Ganz have, effectively, three hostages. If Cates shoots, he'll lose at least one of the hostages, possibly all three. It was a dumb move, but an easy mistake to make under the circumstances.

Moreover, I think the fact that it WAS a mistake helps make Cates's desperation throughout the film more believable.

Lastly, it sets up the final act, where he straight up shoots Ganz despite Reggie being a hostage.

Like Reggie says, "Are you CRAZY man? I was just bluffin'!"

Yes, Cates was crazy at that point, and the opening standoff sets this up.

[–] millsey72 (9527) 3 years ago

Thanks for clarifying. I take back my plot hole