F/X & F/X2: The Grande Illusion - Blu-ray Review

      F/X & F/X2: The Grande Illusion

      Directed by Robert Mandel/Richard Franklin.

      Featuring Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Tom Noonan, Rachel Ticotin, Kevin J. O’Connor, Mason Adams, Roscoe Orman, Tom Mason, Cliff De Young, Martha Gehman, and Jerry Orbach.

      SYNOPSIS:

      This box set includes two action thrillers centered around special effects, featuring Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy. The concept of a thriller driven by special effects is quite compelling—imagine the chaos if someone were shot in public as a facade. Although it’s best not to consider it happening in reality, it makes for an intriguing film premise. In 1986, during a peak period for practical effects, we witnessed the release of F/X (fully titled F/X: Murder by Illusion), a thriller where special effects expert Roland 'Rollie' Tyler (Bryan Brown) is recruited by a clandestine government agency to stage the public assassination of mafia informant Nicholas DeFranco (Jerry Orbach) in a crowded restaurant, giving the impression he has been killed.

      Reluctantly, Rollie takes the assignment, collaborating with DeFranco and the fiery Agent Lipton (Cliff De Young) to craft a believable act. However, after Rollie "kills" DeFranco, Lipton threatens him, forcing Rollie to escape, which prompts detective Leo McCarthy (Brian Dennehy) to investigate the unfolding events, determine who Agent Lipton and Colonel Mason (Mason Adams) really are, and assist Rollie in rectifying the situation.

      Although it could be considered a buddy movie, F/X's protagonists don't share much screen time together. The film has been somewhat overshadowed by other similar crime thrillers from the 1980s, which is unfortunate, as it stands out as one of the more entertaining entries, mainly due to the charisma and acting abilities of Bryan and Brian, who elevate the rather thin plot.

      Despite its title and the theme of creating illusions, F/X features only a limited number of special effects, such as blood squibs and fake beards, along with an unexpected troll-like creature that Rollie uses to startle visitors. The effects are basic and used sparingly, avoiding the pitfall of excessive disguises reminiscent of a Mission: Impossible spoof. This raises the question of whether such a film could be made today, given advancements in prosthetics and audiences' beliefs.

      Regrettably, the sequel was not produced until five years later, by which time films like Total Recall had set new benchmarks for practical effects, while Terminator 2 was on the horizon to further push boundaries in action cinema. F/X2 (or F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion) was released in 1991 to little hype, but it brought back Bryan and Brian, allowing them to share more screen time, indicating that their chemistry was recognized.

      Rollie has since exited the special effects field to become a toymaker, utilizing his skills to craft animatronic toys that mimic movements of someone in a special suit—perhaps that will be significant later on? He is approached by Mike (Tom Mason), the ex-husband of his girlfriend Kim (Rachel Ticotin), to help set a trap for a killer. Unfortunately, the plan goes awry, resulting in Mike’s death, not at the hands of the intended target. This draws Rollie into a complex scheme involving stolen coins from the Vatican, and he must safeguard Kim and her young son, reaching out to his old friend Leo, who is now a private investigator, for assistance.

      F/X2 is less reliant on effects than its predecessor, and its release feels somewhat belated, suggesting it could have benefited from an earlier arrival. Nonetheless, it remains an entertaining, albeit somewhat convoluted, watch. Fortunately, Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy deliver strong performances, carrying the film, which could have been far less enjoyable without their chemistry.

      Several familiar faces appear, including Rachel Ticotin and Kevin J. O’Connor, but only Bryan and Brian appear to embrace a lighter tone in their dialogue, while others adopt a more serious approach. Given the plot's winding complexity, these tonal shifts can feel jarring, and the film lacks the same energy, particularly when the leads are absent. Additionally, Brian Dennehy doesn’t make an appearance until about 45 minutes in, leaving Bryan Brown to anchor the first act with Rollie's likable character. When Dennehy arrives, he is given more to do than in the first film, which suggests some effort was made to balance the dynamic, yet the clunky script prevents a seamless flow.

      Accompanied by video essays and audio commentaries—one for each film by Dan Martin of 13 Finger FX and filmmaker Jennifer Handorf, which are quite insightful, as well as archive featurettes—