Baja (1996)

Tied for the best movie I have ever seen

Memorable, crazy movie

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

No, I don't agree with all those who said it's crap. It's not that far fetched or exaggerated(for that see Mission Impossible),it's low budget but that's no guarantee for quality(look at Mission Impossible again), the characters are not excessively smart or dumb, or insufficiently developed-it's ordinary on that level, too. Somehow it doesn't work properly but also doesn't fall flat. I would point the accusing finger at the director and writers for the average result. So why write a review? Because it's the perfect part for Lance Henriksen, it fits him like a glove and is one of his best performance ever. He is this neurotic contract killer with a relationship problem who steals every scene he's in. I couldn't pretend he's much different than in Johnny Handsome(he's clearly a niche actor and not wide range), but he's given much more room to develop in this one-and he really dwells in the part.

Lance Henriksen is the only reason to watch this movie. He is at his best combing his unique talent for menace and sensitivity. He is such an excellent actor and much under-rated I think. He has all the best lines and it's worth it just to watch him. Sure wish TV series would come out on DVD.

Kurt Voss must be the most underrated director in the history of the cinema. I became a fan after travelling to Thousand Oaks for a screening of his excellent "Horseplayer," primarily due to The Pixies presence on the soundtrack. I was impressed, to say the least.Do not let the presence of a post-John Hughes Molly Ringwald dissuade you, "Baja" is not to be missed. A clever and mean twisting and turning plot gives way to an unusually compassionate ending. Lance Henrickson proves not only to be a great tough-guy (as per usual), but a fantastic comedian. He deftly delivers some of the most acid-tongued lines in recent memory, "What is there a grape-pickers convention going on here?"Voss' directorial style is understated, brilliantly allowing his sardonic wit to bubble forth without pretension. His dialogue is taught and ripe with honest laughs, rather than pandering to the plethora of pop-culture references masquerading as "snappy dialogue" in so many neo-noirs today.Check out "Baja" and keep an eye on Kurt Voss.

This movie is definitely a sleeper so with that in mind you have to be in the right mood to enjoy it. I admit Lance Henriksen was the only reason I wanted to see it in the first place so I was mildly surprised by the end. Especially because Lance has a tendency of late to appear in movies where he's the only real value, but the movie's alright.It's different. It's got a relaxed low-key feeling and mood surrounding it and also has the gift of having two under-rated characters actors star. Lance, of course, and Donal Logue. Besides Lance, I can't explain why I liked it. It's a movie you have to see for yourself and make up your own mind. Ringwald acquits herself decently however the story doesn't win any awards and I doubt I would have given this a chance if it wasn't for Lance.