Review: Dragnet

Blu-ray: Dragnet (1987)

Based on the American TV series Dragnet, and on looking I couldn’t find out if it was ever shown on UK television, personally I’ve never seen it…which can be a problem with films like this as you don’t get many of the ‘in’ jokes.

Dan Ackroyd (who wrote the script) plays LAPD Sergeant Joe Friday, the nephew of the TV series of the same name), and someone who shares his uncles straight ways.
Friday is given a new partner; Pep Streebek (Tom Hanks in an early role), and their contrasting styles clash with Friday disapproving of everything Streebek does.

The story follows them investigating a cult called P.A.G A.N. led by The Reverend Jonathan Whirley (Christopher Plummer), with the duo coming across the ritual of virgin sacrifice with a young woman called Connie Swail  – she in turn becomes one of the main endlessly repeated jokes, referred to as ‘the virgin Connie Swail’.

There’s a lot of amazing 80s comedies out there, and for me, this isn’t one of them despite the cast. I found the characters of Friday and Streebek very annoying, and unfortunately didn’t laugh once!  Sorry Dan

EXTRAS: Production Notes, Cast and Filmmaker’s Biographies. Includes bonus double-sided fold out poster of all new artwork created by Rich Davies.

Review by Tina from a disc kindly supplied by Fabulous Films.