The Specialist Details

James Woods seemingly has a knack for spotting mediocre movies with roles that give him the chance to shine when his co-stars are floundering. This is a case in point, as he strides off with Luis Llosa's bomb thriller without even getting his hair mussed. Sylvester Stallone stars as an explosives expert and former colleague of Woods, who is hired by the mysterious Sharon Stone to avenge the death of her parents. There is, of course, more to her motives than is at first apparent. The stars apart, it's the robust playing of the supporting cast (which includes Rod Steiger and Eric Roberts as Miami mobsters) that really makes this worth watching.

Trashily risible action movie, with the two stars kept far apart for much of the picture, for reasons that only become apparent when they are together.