This movie is dedicated to NYC policemen who are killed as they try to get the goods on the gunrunners and crack dealers who, like cockroaches, seem to multiply faster than they can be stamped out.
The story tells of two officers who hold an arrest record: Raymond (Mario van Peebles) and Robert (Michael Boatman). When one of them is brutally murdered the other embarks on a personal quest for justice - in best Charles Bronson fashion.
Realism is not a keynote here, but if you enjoy an undemanding old fashioned cops and crims film then you may find this right up your dark alley.
In the Line of Duty: Street War
1992
Action / Drama / Thriller
In the Line of Duty: Street War
1992
Action / Drama / Thriller
5.8Plot summary
The drug related violence including gang wars in NYC has increased enormously from previous decades. NYPD cop, Raymond Williamson, is shot dead in a staircase in Brooklyn by a cold-blooded crack trafficker. He and his partner, Robert Dayton, swore an oath to look after each other - also after one's death. The detectives investigating the case can't allow him to join them so he does his own investigation.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Peter Boyle as Det. Dan Reilly
Morris Chestnut as Prince Franklin
Michael Boatman as Robert Dayton
Courtney B. Vance as Justice Butler
Movie Reviews
Reviewed by
Mediocre TV Blaxploitation
Reviewed by
Somewhat routine TV movie cop drama
STREET WAR is another TV movie and entry in the low budget IN THE LINE OF DUTY series. The all-black cast make it feel like a blaxploitation movie at times but the scope is generally smaller and casts as its protagonists a group of dedicated cops who go gunning for revenge when one of their number is killed 'in the line of duty'. Peter Boyle is the old-timer who shows up to set things in motion.
The film features routine plotting, some melodrama, and lots of plot twists along the way. The plotting is probably better than the characterisation. Notable cast members include Courtney B. Vance's drug lord bad guy, a youthful Morris Chestnut, and an underutilised Mario Van Peebles. STREET WAR is quite watchable as these films go but it's also rather tame and the material is a little too familiar, having been handled in a more interesting way in the past with the likes of THE NEW CENTURIONS.
Reviewed by
Standard cop drama boosted by the actors.
This comment does contain minor spoilers!
"In The Line of Duty: Street War" or "Urban Crossfire" is a well-made TV movie.
The plot is: Officers Raymond and Robert (Mario Van Peebles and Michael Boatman) are going after Justice Butler (Courtney B. Vance) an evil drug dealer. Unfortunately, Raymond gets killed by him. Now Robert wants revenge. Butler escapes and now Robert and Detective Reilly (Peter Boyle) have to catch him before he commits more crimes.
The acting is good with Peter Boyle and Courtney B. Vance standing out. The writing and directing is standard. No surprises in this story. Overall, it's worth seeing for the acting. One of the director's other movies "The FBI Murders" is also recommended.
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com