No matter what character he played, the late John Candy’s warmth radiated from the screen and captured the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide. His iconic performances in the John Hughes vehicles Planes, Trains, and Automobiles and Uncle Buck cemented the SCTV comedian’s legacy in cinema history. However, before Candy’s successful collaboration with Hughes, Hollywood struggled to recognize his comedic genius. Such was the case when Candy entered the popular ‘80s action comedy scene with Armed and Dangerous.
Released in 1986, Armed and Dangerous followed the ‘80s cop movie trend, similar to Beverly Hills Cop and Running Scared, by casting stand-up comedians as badge-wielding detectives fighting big-city crime with plenty of bullets and humor. The Harold Ramis-penned script, directed by Mark L. Lester (Commando), was initially intended as a vehicle for John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd, with John Carpenter attached to direct before Candy and fellow SCTV alum Eugene Levy were brought in. Largely panned by critics with a 9% rotten score on Rotten Tomatoes, Armed and Dangerous firmly went against Candy’s winning persona by forcing the comedian’s awkward attempt at being an action comedy star.
What Is ‘Armed and Dangerous’ About?
The film follows LAPD cop Frank Dooley (Candy), who is framed for a crime by dirty detectives, resulting in his dismissal from the force. Meanwhile, defense attorney Norman Kane (Levy) is coerced into quitting his job to protect himself from a dangerous client. Together, they end up working for a private security firm where their partnership begins.
The duo faces challenges when they are robbed while guarding a pharmaceutical warehouse. Reassigned to a toxic waste dump, they uncover a pension fund scheme involving corrupt union representatives. This plot showcases their comedic chemistry but fails to fully utilize their comedic talents.
The film’s humor does not align well with Candy and Levy’s strengths as performers, limiting their ability to shine in their roles.
‘Armed and Dangerous’ Forces John Candy to Go Against His Winning Persona
The successful buddy action comedies of the time balanced serious thriller elements with humor. While director Lester was experienced in action films, his lack of comedy experience affected the tone of Armed and Dangerous. The film’s climax features well-crafted stunts but relies on low-brow slapstick humor that detracts from its overall quality.
Armed and Dangerous‘s attempts at comedy often fall flat despite the talents of Candy and Levy. Levy’s role in an awkward romance with Ryan feels miscast, while Candy is pushed into a more aggressive performance than his usual charm. This shift undermines his character’s originality.
Candy later expressed that creative restrictions hindered his ability to fully develop his character. Fortunately, he soon found success in roles that better showcased his comedic essence.
Armed and Dangerous is currently streaming on Tubi in the US.
Cast
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Robert Loggia
Michael Carlino
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Kenneth McMillan
Captain Clarence O’Connell
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