This week we re-watched K-9, it’s probably the lesser loved of the dog and a cop buddy movies of 1989! The other being Turner and Hooch with Tom Hanks.
K-9 plays out more like a traditional cop buddy movie, whereas I felt (although it’s been some time since I saw it) Turner and Hooch is more an all out comedy film, with Hooch being the lead, and Turner the detective following him, to catch the murderer of his owner.
Being Barking Mad About Films we obviously enjoy all these dog type films but if we had to choose one, we think K-9 would get our vote!
James Belushi, hot off one big buddy movie success already, when he starred opposite Arnold Schwarzengger in Red Heat, plays Dooley, a narcotics cop, who works as a loner, is nearly in a position to arrest Lyman (Kevin Tighe) a powerful member of society, in a drug bust of around $50million.
Lyman is aware of this and has sent out a hit on Dooley, and the film has an explosive start, which could have resulted in our cop hero’s death, except when his car is shot up, he has sneaked off to find a phone to ring his girlfriend (No mobile phones in this classic, and check out his handheld game, these 2 pieces of tech really date the film!)
He is so committed to arresting Lyman, so much so, it is affecting his relationship with his girlfriend, Tracy (Mel Harris) missing dinners etc, but it would appear it could be worthwhile, as he secures a lead to the drugs, but to find them he will need a dog with a good nose!
Dooley helps his friend, Brannigan (Ed O’Neill) on a tense arrest situation so that he can catch a flight, in return for one of his police dogs!
An action sequence follows with Dooley making the arrest using a hire car to drive through a wall , which sees Brannigan having to make good on his deal.
Dooley is teamed up with office Jerry Lee (played by Rando, despite the posters announcing introducing Jerry Lee as himself!)
Jerry is a chilli-loving German Shepherd dog! Jerry also seems to be as head strong as Dooley, and is perhaps not the best team player of the dog unit.
The 2 don’t look like they are going to get on, from Jerry’s attitude; refusing to get in the car, unless he has the door opened for him, as well as refusing to sit in the back and Dooley responds by showing a lack of respect to his new partner!
Of course, being a buddy movie, the 2 soon become dependable on each other, especially after Jerry rescues Dooley, when his plan to get info from Benny the Mule (Pruitt Taylor Vince) at a local bar, sees him at risk of being killed by all the drinkers.
Jerry soon sorts that out, showing his strength by eating a pool ball thrown at him! Benny’s lead sends the 2 to a warehouse, where the drugs are not found, but Jerry does at least sniff out a single recreational user!
As the 2 get more involved with solving the case, they learn that the drug shipment is being moved in a car transporter., the 2 turn up the pressure on Lyman by gatecrashing his high profile dinner party.
Lyman retaliates by taking Tracy hostage, until after the drugs are dispatched, but our 2 heroes know they need to get to her before that happens, setting the film up for an action packed finish!
The film is great for lovers of eighties movies; buddy movies; dogs and action comedies. Directed by Rod Daniel, who also gave us another classic in Teenwolf; as well as Like Father, Like Son, and sequels Beethoven’s 2nd and Home Alone 4!
We do love this film, Belushi has never been better in the title role, and Rando puts in a great performance too. Also look out for the scene where Dooley talks to a lady dog owner, to get some tips, the waiter in this sequence is Dan Castellaneta (best known as the voice of The Simpsons cartoon, Homer Simpson)
Also Bill and Ted Bogus Journey fans, look out for the Grim Reaper himself, William Sadler as a car salesman, you may also know him as Colonel Stuart from Die Hard 2!
Dog lovers will see plenty of their K-9 pals in this film, from their need for attention to their eating habits and bed hogging =)
2 inferior direct to DVD sequels followed K-911 and K-9: PI but the original remains a classic and Pepper and I are glad to have it in our film collection
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