Blackjack (1998 film)
Blackjack (also known as John Woo's Blackjack) is a 1998 Canadian-American TV action film directed by John Woo and starring Dolph Lundgren as a leukophobic former United States Marshal turned bodyguard who hunts down an assassin.
| Blackjack | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Official film poster | |
| Written by | Thelvens Maddy |
| Directed by | John Woo |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Micky Erbe Maribeth Solomon |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language(s) | English |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | John Ryan |
| Cinematography | Bill Wong |
| Editor(s) | Thelvens Maddy |
| Running time | 108 minutes |
| Production company(s) | WCG Entertainment Productions |
| Distributor | USA Network |
| Budget | $25–30 million[1] |
| Release | |
| Original release | 12 May 1998 (United States) |
Plot
Jack Devlin is a former U.S. Marshall who is working as a detective and bodyguard for Dr. Rachel Stein. While escorting her he has encounters in which he kills groups of military guards, gang members, serial killers and kidnappers. They meet Tim Hastings for information, and Jack and Tim confront Rachel over the dangerous events but resolve to see it through together.
Jack searches for and meets others for information about what is happening. At and between each meeting there are more encounters with groups that Jack kills, including DEA agents, bodyguards, assassins, soldiers, and gang members. Jack and Rachel inform Detective Trini of what they know. Jack then continues meeting people in an effort to gain more information while killing additional groups of thugs bikers.
Jack gathers his allies who have been working on a plan that nears completion. However, most of his allies turn against him and Jack kills them and all their many subordinates. Jack, Rachel, and Don, their one remaining ally, then start a new life.
Cast
- Dolph Lundgren as Jack Devlin
- Kate Vernon as Dr. Rachel Stein
- Phillip MacKenzie as Rory Gaines
- Kam Heskin as Cinder James
- Fred Williamson as Tim Hastings
- Andrew Jackson as Don Tragle
- Padraigin Murphy as Casey
- Tony De Santis as Detective Trini
- Albert Schultz as Derek Smythe
- Janet Bailey as Connie Hastings
- Saul Rubinek as Thomas
Production
The film was intended as a backdoor pilot for a television series focusing on Lundgren's character, Jack Devlin, but it was not successful financially and was not chosen to go to series.
Release
TV Guide reviewed the film at 2 stars out of 4 and noted: "Though it boasts several rousing action sequences, the film is sabotaged by lackluster acting, thin characterization, and a derivative storyline."[2]