I had the chance to watch this for free and I've got to say it was worth every penny. Seriously, it was not nearly as bad as it could have been. It's a decent if never surprising "action" movie with a bit of cleavage and lingerie thrown in. I felt that a lot of parts seemed thrown together and rushed, but I've seen a whole lot worse.
11 Reviews
Scarred City is a pretty entertaining romp through the world of DTV police thrillers.
tarbosh220008 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
NYC cop John Trace (Baldwin) is very close to being On The Edge. Because of his trigger-happy style of policing, he is noticed by Lt. Laine Devon (Palminteri), the head of the SCAR Unit. The SCAR Unit is a super-secret sect within the police department that is more or less a vigilante-style execution squad that kills baddies with no remorse or consequences. Because John Trace is basically a good guy, he doesn't really fit in with the SCAR's rogue, and, at times, amoral ways.
When he saves the life of Candy (Carrere) during a SCAR raid on a Colombian drug lord's home, the two must go on the run because they're now a threat to this mostly-illegal operation. Now Trace's former compatriots are after him, and, as we've seen, they are relentless in their pursuit of who they deem is a threat. Will Trace and Candy ride off into the sunset...or will they be just two more victims of the SCARRED CITY?
Sort of Sudden Impact (1983) meets The Sweeper (1996), Scarred City is a pretty entertaining romp through the world of DTV police thrillers. One of the things that sets Scarred City apart from the other "rogue police unit" movies is that it gets right to the vigilante-ism. It doesn't make you wait like the other entries. It wants to get that going right out of the gate so it can concentrate on how Trace and Candy are going to figure out what to do next once the SCAR Unit is after them.
The movie never totally explained what SCAR stands for, but they did give us the first two letters - Selected Crime. The A and the R are apparently up for debate. Arrest Record? Able Resource? Acapulco Remoulade? We may never know. Well, it's not that important. But it does tie back into the title of the film, so you'd think they'd make it more clear. One of the alternate titles was Scar City, and there is indeed a scarcity of explanation about that.
There is a lot of gun-shooting and a car chase. It's a Nu-Image movie but Charla Driver from PM was involved in the production. So it's something of a mix of the styles those production companies are known for. For a DTV movie from 1998 with Stephen Baldwin, it's a lot better than you might expect. There are some cool moments and the script is above average.
Tia Carrere helps a lot. She sings two songs and she rises above what could have been the cliched "annoying sidekick along for the ride" role. We're grateful they didn't go down that road. Her character becomes a true partner to Trace and she does get in on the action. Baldwin and Palminteri reunite here after The Usual Suspects (1995) and it really shows how Hollywood is a funny place.
One minute you're starring in a pretty much universally-beloved film with wide distribution, and the next, you're doing a low-budget cop movie with Chuck Zito as Guard #3. That's the magic of the DTV world, we suppose. That's why we'll keep bringing movies like this to light as long as we can.
Sometimes these late-90's DTV outings can get kind of dire, but Scarred City manages to set itself apart from the many lesser entries in the low budget, cop/shooting subgenre. If that sounds good to you, it's certainly worth checking out.
When he saves the life of Candy (Carrere) during a SCAR raid on a Colombian drug lord's home, the two must go on the run because they're now a threat to this mostly-illegal operation. Now Trace's former compatriots are after him, and, as we've seen, they are relentless in their pursuit of who they deem is a threat. Will Trace and Candy ride off into the sunset...or will they be just two more victims of the SCARRED CITY?
Sort of Sudden Impact (1983) meets The Sweeper (1996), Scarred City is a pretty entertaining romp through the world of DTV police thrillers. One of the things that sets Scarred City apart from the other "rogue police unit" movies is that it gets right to the vigilante-ism. It doesn't make you wait like the other entries. It wants to get that going right out of the gate so it can concentrate on how Trace and Candy are going to figure out what to do next once the SCAR Unit is after them.
The movie never totally explained what SCAR stands for, but they did give us the first two letters - Selected Crime. The A and the R are apparently up for debate. Arrest Record? Able Resource? Acapulco Remoulade? We may never know. Well, it's not that important. But it does tie back into the title of the film, so you'd think they'd make it more clear. One of the alternate titles was Scar City, and there is indeed a scarcity of explanation about that.
There is a lot of gun-shooting and a car chase. It's a Nu-Image movie but Charla Driver from PM was involved in the production. So it's something of a mix of the styles those production companies are known for. For a DTV movie from 1998 with Stephen Baldwin, it's a lot better than you might expect. There are some cool moments and the script is above average.
Tia Carrere helps a lot. She sings two songs and she rises above what could have been the cliched "annoying sidekick along for the ride" role. We're grateful they didn't go down that road. Her character becomes a true partner to Trace and she does get in on the action. Baldwin and Palminteri reunite here after The Usual Suspects (1995) and it really shows how Hollywood is a funny place.
One minute you're starring in a pretty much universally-beloved film with wide distribution, and the next, you're doing a low-budget cop movie with Chuck Zito as Guard #3. That's the magic of the DTV world, we suppose. That's why we'll keep bringing movies like this to light as long as we can.
Sometimes these late-90's DTV outings can get kind of dire, but Scarred City manages to set itself apart from the many lesser entries in the low budget, cop/shooting subgenre. If that sounds good to you, it's certainly worth checking out.
Very average but still watchable
bob the moo21 November 2003
Warning: Spoilers
Under investigation for his third shooting that month, Officer John Trace is on the streets when he interrupts a drug deal but ends up shooting dead an unarmed perp. Looking at jail time at worst he takes an offer from Lieutenant Laine Devon to join an elite unit in return for Devon covering for Trace on this shooting. When he joins the unit he finds that SCAR are more assassins than cops mercilessly killing perps with City Hall happen to turn a blind eye. When Trace lets a prostitute live during a gun battle it sets him on the run from the SCAR unit with Candy in tow.
I had seen this film before but noticed I hadn't reviewed it so I decided to watch it again as I remembered it was OK. I was right it is just OK, nothing more nothing less. There are no surprises in the plot it's not a spoiler to say that Trace ends up going against his heavily armed unit. The action is also average, lots of gunfire and big bangs don't really cover the lack of tension but they do an average job at keeping the pace of the film up.
The gentle humour comes from bits of the film having it's tongue in it's cheek and it let me know that I wasn't meant to be taking any of this too seriously. All the usual `banter while getting shot at' stuff was there to keep it far from reality none of it was very good but, again, it was passable.
The cast looks great on paper but fail to really do anything other than run of the mill performances in this thriller. Baldwin is OK but doesn't distinguish himself. Palminteri is slumming it a bit here but he enjoys a slightly hammy bad guy role which is really almost a long cameo. Carrere is sexy despite her best efforts and she gets the `sassy broad' lines, I liked her character. The actual unit has a few well known faces but nobody stands out.
The holes in the plot should tell you that you're not watching a film of high quality or aims (how DID they find Candy's house?) but if you're watching this on a low rent cable channel or as a bottom shelf video rental then you should be happy with the mindless guff that gets served up with bangs and booms. A reasonable video thriller that falls well short of being good but will stand out when viewed alongside many later night cable movies!
I had seen this film before but noticed I hadn't reviewed it so I decided to watch it again as I remembered it was OK. I was right it is just OK, nothing more nothing less. There are no surprises in the plot it's not a spoiler to say that Trace ends up going against his heavily armed unit. The action is also average, lots of gunfire and big bangs don't really cover the lack of tension but they do an average job at keeping the pace of the film up.
The gentle humour comes from bits of the film having it's tongue in it's cheek and it let me know that I wasn't meant to be taking any of this too seriously. All the usual `banter while getting shot at' stuff was there to keep it far from reality none of it was very good but, again, it was passable.
The cast looks great on paper but fail to really do anything other than run of the mill performances in this thriller. Baldwin is OK but doesn't distinguish himself. Palminteri is slumming it a bit here but he enjoys a slightly hammy bad guy role which is really almost a long cameo. Carrere is sexy despite her best efforts and she gets the `sassy broad' lines, I liked her character. The actual unit has a few well known faces but nobody stands out.
The holes in the plot should tell you that you're not watching a film of high quality or aims (how DID they find Candy's house?) but if you're watching this on a low rent cable channel or as a bottom shelf video rental then you should be happy with the mindless guff that gets served up with bangs and booms. A reasonable video thriller that falls well short of being good but will stand out when viewed alongside many later night cable movies!
Baldwin ain't no Rambo
jimakros30 December 2007
Baldwin is trying to be Rambo here,kills about everyone in sight and then some.The guy should stick to stuff he does well and forget trying to be Stallone.Thats about all there is to say about this movie.The plot is about a bunch of crazy vigilante cops who seem to just like to murder people,some of whom happen to be criminals.Baldwin does his best to act tough and delivers every line in as much a husky voice as he can master but he just ain't the dude for this type of role.He is a cop opposed to the lawless violence,meets a prostitute played by Tia Carrere whom i usually like but i didn't like her in this,she has too may wisecracks and too much personality for this role. Neither the bad guys nor the good guys make any sense in this movie,there is a lot of shooting but the motivations and the characters are all paper-thin,Palminteri is simply wasted here.
Witty script, some nice surprises and lively characters.
pantagruella19 January 2003
I had no expectations of this film, but I was thoroughly entertained. We showed it to friends the very next day to see what they thought.
The film's premise is quite outrageous and it is executed in a stylishly outrageous way. There are several Wow! or 'Nice Shot' moments. In fact this film is very close to Grand Theft Auto.
The script is genuinely funny, reminiscent of another Tia Carrere classic, Hollow Point.
For some reason the idea of a Baldwin film is an amusing thing. The South Park movie says, "What sucks about being a Baldwin? Nothing!" I am impressed with Stephen Baldwin's restrained, laconic, dry and heroic performance. We wondered if he were blind, considering the number of disconcerting smiles he issues with his eyes closed.
Chazz Palminteri is the Man. He's given the stupidest role and as usual he makes it seem almost convincing, while he enjoys himself a great deal.
Tia Carrere sings, moves around a lot, looks good, has her moments and kills people. What more can you ask for?
This film scores over many 'better' films by working hard to introduce the opposition. You are half way through the film. You know Stephen Baldwin is up against it, and all the bad guys are still there.
The film is filled with memorable characters. I very much enjoyed the 'fight in the bar' scene because there's no fight. They should use the bouncer in a new series of the Munsters.
The film's premise is quite outrageous and it is executed in a stylishly outrageous way. There are several Wow! or 'Nice Shot' moments. In fact this film is very close to Grand Theft Auto.
The script is genuinely funny, reminiscent of another Tia Carrere classic, Hollow Point.
For some reason the idea of a Baldwin film is an amusing thing. The South Park movie says, "What sucks about being a Baldwin? Nothing!" I am impressed with Stephen Baldwin's restrained, laconic, dry and heroic performance. We wondered if he were blind, considering the number of disconcerting smiles he issues with his eyes closed.
Chazz Palminteri is the Man. He's given the stupidest role and as usual he makes it seem almost convincing, while he enjoys himself a great deal.
Tia Carrere sings, moves around a lot, looks good, has her moments and kills people. What more can you ask for?
This film scores over many 'better' films by working hard to introduce the opposition. You are half way through the film. You know Stephen Baldwin is up against it, and all the bad guys are still there.
The film is filled with memorable characters. I very much enjoyed the 'fight in the bar' scene because there's no fight. They should use the bouncer in a new series of the Munsters.
A great surprise
sweetteasutlery16 October 2003
I didn't expect "THE USUAL SUSPECTS" but what I found was a film with some GREAT GREAT moments.. funny and caustic... a beautiful song by Tia... some fantastic scenes that made the occasional 2-D plot come alive with the fresh delivery and chemistry between the two stars!
Fun, enjoyable action-packed movie!
KMeister117 June 2013
Given the middle of the road IMDb ratings I didn't expect much from this movie, but after viewing the trailer decided to give it a shot. Was I pleasantly surprised! The story about a cop with issues who joins the corrupt, homicidal, vigilante police unit, then sees the light and fights them is certainly not new, but this movie delivered on what it purports to be--an enjoyable, fast-paced action film.
The three main actors were somewhat deadpan in their delivery, but that made their characters seem all the more...well, scarred. The movie contained all the ingredients for an engaging film: It had action, characters you care about, and even some romance. Hey, it's not "Ben-Hur" but it's a terrific little B film that worth checking out.
The three main actors were somewhat deadpan in their delivery, but that made their characters seem all the more...well, scarred. The movie contained all the ingredients for an engaging film: It had action, characters you care about, and even some romance. Hey, it's not "Ben-Hur" but it's a terrific little B film that worth checking out.
Classic Cop Flick
sydneyswesternsuburbs16 August 2011
Director Ken Sanzel who also created the classic flick, Lone Hero 2002 has created another gem in Scar City.
Starring Stephen Baldwin who has also been in other classic flicks, Born on the Fourth of July 1989, Last Exit to Brooklyn 1989 and The Beast of War 1988.
Also starring Tia Carrere who has also been in other classic flicks, True Lies 1994, Showdown in Little Tokyo 1991 and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man 1991.
Also starring Renee Estevez who has also been in other classic flicks, Single White Female 1992, Intruder 1989, Heathers 1988 and another classic cop flick, Lethal Weapon 1987.
Also starring Chazz Palminteri who has also been in another classic flick, Running Scared 2006.
I enjoyed the violence.
If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic cop flicks, Across 110th Street 1972, Assault on Precinct 13 1976, Back in Action 1993, Bad Boys II 2003, Bad Lieutenant 1992, Bloodfist V: Human Target 1994, Cobra 1986, Renegade Force 1998, Breach of Trust 1995, God Told Me To 1976, Die Hard 4.0 2007, Dirty Harry 1971, Extreme Justice 1993, Face/Off 1997, Fair Game 1995, Game of Death 2010, The Gauntlet 1977, Internal Affairs 1990, L.A. Confidential 1997, Last Man Standing 1995, The Last Marshal 1999, Magnum Force 1973, I Love a Man in Uniform 1993, Maniac Cop 2 1990, Martial Law II: Undercover 1992, Maximum Risk 1996, Out for Justice 1991, Phoenix 1998, Rapid Fire 1992, Ricochet 1991, Shallow Ground 2004, Sinners and Saints 2010, State of Grace 1990, Sudden Impact 1983, Surveillance 2008, The Sweeper 1996, Training Day 2001, Until Death 2007, Street Kings 2: Motor City 2011, The Last Stand 2013, The Raid 2 2014, S.W.A.T.: Firefight 2011, Assault on Precinct 13 2005, Gridlocked 2015, The Hollow Point 2016, Patriots Day 2016, , Blue Steel 1989, S.W.A.T.: Under Siege 2017, Unlawful Entry 1992, The French Connection 1971, A Better Way Die to Die 2000, BuyBust 2018, 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown 2015, Last Shift 2014, Lone Wolf McQuade 1983, The Killer Inside Me 2010, The Brave 2019, Bad Boys for Life 2020, Excessive Force 1993 and The Untouchables 1987.
Starring Stephen Baldwin who has also been in other classic flicks, Born on the Fourth of July 1989, Last Exit to Brooklyn 1989 and The Beast of War 1988.
Also starring Tia Carrere who has also been in other classic flicks, True Lies 1994, Showdown in Little Tokyo 1991 and Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man 1991.
Also starring Renee Estevez who has also been in other classic flicks, Single White Female 1992, Intruder 1989, Heathers 1988 and another classic cop flick, Lethal Weapon 1987.
Also starring Chazz Palminteri who has also been in another classic flick, Running Scared 2006.
I enjoyed the violence.
If you enjoyed this as much as I did then check out other classic cop flicks, Across 110th Street 1972, Assault on Precinct 13 1976, Back in Action 1993, Bad Boys II 2003, Bad Lieutenant 1992, Bloodfist V: Human Target 1994, Cobra 1986, Renegade Force 1998, Breach of Trust 1995, God Told Me To 1976, Die Hard 4.0 2007, Dirty Harry 1971, Extreme Justice 1993, Face/Off 1997, Fair Game 1995, Game of Death 2010, The Gauntlet 1977, Internal Affairs 1990, L.A. Confidential 1997, Last Man Standing 1995, The Last Marshal 1999, Magnum Force 1973, I Love a Man in Uniform 1993, Maniac Cop 2 1990, Martial Law II: Undercover 1992, Maximum Risk 1996, Out for Justice 1991, Phoenix 1998, Rapid Fire 1992, Ricochet 1991, Shallow Ground 2004, Sinners and Saints 2010, State of Grace 1990, Sudden Impact 1983, Surveillance 2008, The Sweeper 1996, Training Day 2001, Until Death 2007, Street Kings 2: Motor City 2011, The Last Stand 2013, The Raid 2 2014, S.W.A.T.: Firefight 2011, Assault on Precinct 13 2005, Gridlocked 2015, The Hollow Point 2016, Patriots Day 2016, , Blue Steel 1989, S.W.A.T.: Under Siege 2017, Unlawful Entry 1992, The French Connection 1971, A Better Way Die to Die 2000, BuyBust 2018, 12 Rounds 3: Lockdown 2015, Last Shift 2014, Lone Wolf McQuade 1983, The Killer Inside Me 2010, The Brave 2019, Bad Boys for Life 2020, Excessive Force 1993 and The Untouchables 1987.
Usual but likable thriller.
madbandit200020005 July 2005
When I first saw "Scarred City" on late night broadcast TV some years ago, I liked it, despite editing of mammary organs, blood and profanity (It was aired 11.35 p.m., beyond the hold of the dreaded FCC. Aw, the idiocy). Thankfully, I got in on DVD and I like it a bit more. It's not the best, but has charm.
John Trace (Stephen Baldwin) is a good but trigger-happy beat cop in Brooklyn, New York, facing three bad shootings. A fourth happens with a unarmed drug perp. Lt. Laine Devon (Chazz Palminteri) is the only high-level cop sympathetic to Trace's predicament and inducts him into the SCAR unit, an elite group of cops that handle dangerous thugs. It's better than going to jail, but Trace, during a sting at a porn shop, finds Devon and the rest are also trigger-happy, but have no conscience and the powers-that-be look the other way. He goes along for self-protection, but, during a violent drug bust, he breaks rank by saving the life of a call girl/torch song singer named Candy, played by sweet-faced, sassy Tia Carrere. Marked for death by both sides of the law, both of them have to work together to stay a few paces ahead.
"Scarred City" is your usual late-night, B-feature but has much more, thanks to director Ken Sanzel's(writer/showrunner on "Numb3rs") witty dialogue-laded script and the performances. Sure, Baldwin's sometimes sleepy, Carrere's too smart and both look a bit old for the roles, but they play along well as two unlikely lovers who don't fit in their professions, another good redeeming factor. Palminteri comes across more of a mobster than a cop, but still menacing. TV fans should note the appearances of Gary Dourdan (CSI) as Devon's right-hand man and Larry Manetti (Magnum P.I.) as a mob-connected, strip joint owner. The rest of the cast is also reliable.
And no, Tia's doesn't display her "goodies" but there's a funny bit involving that. Although it pales in the shadows of the superior "Magnum Force" and the recent "Frank Miller's Sin City" (particularly the slightly similar "That Yellow Bastard" vignette, starring Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba and Nick Stahl), "Scarred City" is good enough with a six-pack of beer (I prefer orange juice), three extra cheese pizza pies, a soft-core porn film and a Chris Rock concert film on a Saturday night.
John Trace (Stephen Baldwin) is a good but trigger-happy beat cop in Brooklyn, New York, facing three bad shootings. A fourth happens with a unarmed drug perp. Lt. Laine Devon (Chazz Palminteri) is the only high-level cop sympathetic to Trace's predicament and inducts him into the SCAR unit, an elite group of cops that handle dangerous thugs. It's better than going to jail, but Trace, during a sting at a porn shop, finds Devon and the rest are also trigger-happy, but have no conscience and the powers-that-be look the other way. He goes along for self-protection, but, during a violent drug bust, he breaks rank by saving the life of a call girl/torch song singer named Candy, played by sweet-faced, sassy Tia Carrere. Marked for death by both sides of the law, both of them have to work together to stay a few paces ahead.
"Scarred City" is your usual late-night, B-feature but has much more, thanks to director Ken Sanzel's(writer/showrunner on "Numb3rs") witty dialogue-laded script and the performances. Sure, Baldwin's sometimes sleepy, Carrere's too smart and both look a bit old for the roles, but they play along well as two unlikely lovers who don't fit in their professions, another good redeeming factor. Palminteri comes across more of a mobster than a cop, but still menacing. TV fans should note the appearances of Gary Dourdan (CSI) as Devon's right-hand man and Larry Manetti (Magnum P.I.) as a mob-connected, strip joint owner. The rest of the cast is also reliable.
And no, Tia's doesn't display her "goodies" but there's a funny bit involving that. Although it pales in the shadows of the superior "Magnum Force" and the recent "Frank Miller's Sin City" (particularly the slightly similar "That Yellow Bastard" vignette, starring Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba and Nick Stahl), "Scarred City" is good enough with a six-pack of beer (I prefer orange juice), three extra cheese pizza pies, a soft-core porn film and a Chris Rock concert film on a Saturday night.
Entertaining Failure
dingo86523 September 2004
This is a strictly B movie that manages to successfully disguise its true identity up until the last 1/3rd of the story.
The story is nothing new - Clint Easywood, amongst others, charted the same territory of vigilante cops pulling the wrong newbie into their group in 1973's MAGNUM FORCE - but it has been spiced up with some bullet ballet that is actually more realistic than most big budget affairs produce. Overall, the photography and lighting are very professional in a gritty way, and so is the editing, which gives the movie a very polished, well-budgeted look. Still, police dramas with mediocre plots need to be carried by their characters, and while Stephen Baldwin does make an interesting hero, his shooting does more for character development than his dialogue. Tia Carrere is nice, but she comes across way too smart, and definitely way too composed, for a call-girl, and she shows virtually zero skin - an especially big disappointment in a genre film of this kind...:) If anything, the supporting characters, the 'baddies' who make up the police team, are the ones that carry you through several scenes: their action is fairly nicely choreographed, and it is a pleasure to see them die.
...but, ultimately, Scar City really fails. The first third is somewhat engaging, because the director wisely spends his time to establish the protagonists' and the antagonists' strengths and weaknesses. The second third rolls well because of all the action suddenly exploding onto the screen. In the third, though, where action and characters could be nicely pulled together into a tight, plot-driven finale, the film crumbles into a dozen silly clichés and inconsistencies instead. Why would you ask someone whether they can shoot, a few hours after they showed you their gun, telling you how they used to shoot squirrels with it? The mess is hardly mopped up by an incomplete and nonsensical ending that makes it look like the director was too tired to tie up a dozen characters and plot lines.
Still, for a slow weekday evening it is good gunplay.
The story is nothing new - Clint Easywood, amongst others, charted the same territory of vigilante cops pulling the wrong newbie into their group in 1973's MAGNUM FORCE - but it has been spiced up with some bullet ballet that is actually more realistic than most big budget affairs produce. Overall, the photography and lighting are very professional in a gritty way, and so is the editing, which gives the movie a very polished, well-budgeted look. Still, police dramas with mediocre plots need to be carried by their characters, and while Stephen Baldwin does make an interesting hero, his shooting does more for character development than his dialogue. Tia Carrere is nice, but she comes across way too smart, and definitely way too composed, for a call-girl, and she shows virtually zero skin - an especially big disappointment in a genre film of this kind...:) If anything, the supporting characters, the 'baddies' who make up the police team, are the ones that carry you through several scenes: their action is fairly nicely choreographed, and it is a pleasure to see them die.
...but, ultimately, Scar City really fails. The first third is somewhat engaging, because the director wisely spends his time to establish the protagonists' and the antagonists' strengths and weaknesses. The second third rolls well because of all the action suddenly exploding onto the screen. In the third, though, where action and characters could be nicely pulled together into a tight, plot-driven finale, the film crumbles into a dozen silly clichés and inconsistencies instead. Why would you ask someone whether they can shoot, a few hours after they showed you their gun, telling you how they used to shoot squirrels with it? The mess is hardly mopped up by an incomplete and nonsensical ending that makes it look like the director was too tired to tie up a dozen characters and plot lines.
Still, for a slow weekday evening it is good gunplay.
A fairly good action film
mrbillyt21 November 2003
I have to say I did enjoy the film I liked the story of a team of cops who have no regard of the law they kill whoever they like. For me it was very enjoyable but as the person from another post says that some parts of the film seem to be rushed and I do feel that. I think the ending could have been a lot better and it didnt really tie up the characters very well. I would recommend this to anyone who has a free night on their hands to watch it you will enjoy it I did very much.
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