Saturday - Movies
The Age
Thursday July 3, 2008
Drop Zone (1994)
Channel Ten, 11.30pmThose who believe American public life eventually destroys black stars who are not suitably respectful of the opportunities bestowed on them can find much to cite in the career of Wesley Snipes. Currently appealing against a three-year federal prison sentence for wilful failure to file income tax returns, Snipes has slowly expired on our screens, his charisma and ability leached away by an endless succession of action roles that he's treated with such animosity that his favoured response has been to literally not perform. The Snipes who makes B-movies in Bulgaria where he never removes his sunglasses or offers more than a grimace is a far cry from the character actor in The Waterdance, the charismatic gangster who stole New Jack City, or the romantic lead in Jungle Fever. Drop Zone was an early indication that he could bring a modicum of gravitas to fluff, with Snipes playing a law enforcement official on the trail of a criminal gang that does its best work by parachute. Said outfit is run by Gary Busey, who was then engaged in a bid to do more villain roles than Dennis Hopper. "The Girl" is played by the oddly named Yancy Butler. -- CRAIG MATHIESON
© 2008 The Age