I know that this movie looks like a cheap, dumb, and ridiculous nineties piece of trash starring Charlie Sheen. However, I assure you that it’s anything but that. Beyond the Law is a surprisingly gripping and entertaining thriller about an undercover cop trying to take down a dangerous biker gang. It’s based on the real-life undercover operation that happened just a few years earlier. It was led by the police officer Dan Saxon who even appears in this movie as an extra. Of course, since his life is still in danger, they didn’t tell us which one he is.
Dan is played by Charlie Sheen who gave one of the last passionate performances before going into autopilot mode. In some scenes, you can actually see him act and not just wink and smile. The rest of the cast was excellent led by Michael Madsen who plays the biker gang leader Blood. Charlie’s love interest is none other than Linda Fiorentino and Leon Rippy plays his best buddy. I just wish Rip Torn had a bigger role but at least we get a chance to see young Courtney B. Vance. It’s interesting that Linda plays a photographer embedded with the biker gang.
We saw the same thing in one of the more recent biker movies, The Bikeriders. I highly recommend you check it out for a more authentic look at the biker culture. Beyond the Law is, after all, a nineties thriller, and as such it’s still a bit rough around the edges and cheesy at times. However, it also features Sheen building a Harley Davidson Softail Custom from scratch. This is Larry Ferguson’s debut after writing eighties cult classics like Highlander, Beverly Hills Cop 2, and The Hunt for the Red October. Larry went on to write one of my favorite nineties science fiction movies, Alien 3. He plays the corrupt Sheriff Kelly in this movie.
You also simply know that the soundtrack will be bitchin’. We’ve got Chris Rea, Saigon Kick, and Diamondback among others. Filmed almost entirely in Arizona, it features some pretty amazing and authentic locations. The only scene that was filmed in California was the one on the El Mirage Dry Lake. The pacing is just right, not too fast and not too slow. It gives you time to fully immerse yourself in this tale of crime, dangerous men, and deadly decisions. Our lead character, Saxon is a man haunted by the demons of his past.
This part of the character development was actually pretty solid although he’s the only one who’s got any kind of a past. After all, you have to keep things moving in this classic undercover cop thriller. It reminds me a lot of Rush, another early nineties movie based on true events. It even features a biker gang, so if you’re looking for something similar, do check it out. While we’re on the subject of similar movies, Stone Cold is everything Beyond the Law isn’t. A cheesy, action-oriented thriller featuring almost exactly the same story.
However, I have to say that it’s still highly entertaining. Especially since there’s a real shortage of biker movies. Speaking of the action, perhaps that’s the only real flaw Beyond The Law has. There’s little action and what action there is, is over fairly quickly. Still, if you’re looking for something to keep you occupied for the next 90+ minutes, it will do just fine.
Director: Larry Ferguson
Writer: Larry Ferguson
Cast: Charlie Sheen, Michael Madsen, Linda Fiorentino, Leon Rippy, Courtney B. Vance, Rip Torn
Fun Facts: The San Carlos run features bikers from more than 20 MCs.
Rating:
IMDb Link: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0103805/
