The National Daily World Enquiring Globe

Film Review - Murder at 1600

So far Wesley Snipes has a perfect record with me. I have never believed him in any role. What Snipes does do is find film that gives me something to go to the film for, usually its action. That's true of Murder at 1600, and I think you'll find a few gems tossed in here and there.

First let's see what we have behind Plot Door No. 1. It's sex in the White House! There's a time-honored tradition. Next, behind Plot Door No. 2, we have a dead sperm recipient! Add Door No. 1 and Door No. 2, and you have the "Who Done Her/It" plot. OK. I can buy that.

Enter Detective Harlan Regis (Snipes) of the Washington D.C. Police. For some completely unknown reason, the D.C. police are pulled in. This, of course, would never happen in real life; the FBI would have jurisdiction. But we never see the FBI in the film. OK, plot screw-up No. 1. Secret Service Agent Nina Chance (Diane Lane) is teamed up with Regis and the plot goes nowhere real fast. Slow, yes, but it does move and we do have some real "whodunnit" happening in the film with a few twists in the plot.

Alan Alda is one of the gems in the film. He plays National Security Advisor Alvin Jordan. Alda plays one of the best son-of-a-bitch characters in modern film.

The character of greatest disappointment is President Jack Neil, played by Ronny Cox. Cox, you'll remember, as Dick Jones in Robocop can play is a great nasty. In Murder at 1600 he plays a very weak president. You wonder how this guy ever got elected.

Our plot will lead us through numerous chase scenes and lots of flying bullets. When all gets said and done, bad guys die and good guys just get flesh wounds. Murder at 1600 isn't a great film, but it doesn't completely suck, either. Pick it up as a tape rental.

Jammed Pipe!

Film Facts

Cast

Directed by Dwight H. Little

Released in 1997

MPAA Rating: R

Reviewed by Mongo