I love this movie and always have. I think it's just as good now as it was in 1987. It's an excellent mix of humor, action, romance, and violence. Really enjoy this movie.
shareCompletely agree, you can't go wrong with this film. What a team Estevez and Dreyfuss were. The second one is good but the first one was the best.
shareAgreed. Just watched it again after many years and it still works. I can't imagine them making this kind of film these days and if they tried I don't think they'd be able to find such a good cast.
shareThis thread convinced me to rewatch this film... it's crazy but I don't think I've ever actually seen the original Stakeout all the way through.
This film was a lot more hard-boiled than what I remember; not quite as hard-boiled as 48 Hours, but it really does hold up.
The comedy doesn't get in the way of the action and the action is really solid. The final boss set-piece is also classic 80s, while that chase sequence into the river was really well done.
Combine a great soundtrack with a decent pace, and Aiden Quinn pulling off a very believably threatening but grounded villain, it makes for an instant action-comedy classic.
The one thing that also stands out is how well casted it is. Richard Dreyfuss as an action star doesn't seem like it would work, but him being a semi-burned out but driven detective really does work. He's believable enough and surprisingly agile in the role that it all just clicks.
And you're right that there's no way this film could work today. The one scene that they would especially screw up in today's media is when Chris confronts the drunk at Maria's house -- Chris is assertive and forward but while being understanding and direct. It required a certain kind of sensitive masculine authority that we literally do not see anywhere in any of today's films. If this were remade today they would have Maria physically manhandling the drunkard and quipping how she "doesn't need a man" to take care of her problems.