CrawlerChunky In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

Nicole I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Guillelmina The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

albertsmith-32785 William Friedkin's To Live and Die in LA is an underrated action thriller which deserves more recognition, now that sufficient time has passed since its release. Based on a novel by a former secret service agent, to live and die in la reeks of atmosphere and is probably one of the finest valentines to the city of Los Angeles. William Peterson plays an undercover cop from the US secret service agency whose goal is to get to bad guy Willem Defoe who has killed his job partner. The film is one adrenaline ride and contains one of the most effective car chase sequence ever put on film (which shouldn't be a surprise since the director also made the lauded French Connection with another memorable car chase sequence). The soundtrack by Wang Chung suits the tone of the film and the cinematography by Robby Mueller deserves a mention as well. One of the finest of its genre this film is a great watch.

Aleksandar Sarkic I really love William Friedkin movies, i have enjoyed Sorcerer and The French Connection, and especially Cruising which is not so popular among the critics (how are they wrong). So after these three movies i wanted to watch more from Friedkin and have choosed To Live and Die in L.A as next. I suppose i choosed these one because of the title, and because it is from the 80's which is one of my favorite decades. I have expected some good thriller/crime in the vein of magnificent The French Connection but i was totally wrong, these movie is totally cheesy from start to finish. The plot is nothing special, the movie just goes but nothing happens at all till the end. Than we go to the main reason i didn't like these one, it is the acting. Except phenomenal Williem Defoe other cast is just disastrous. Williem Petersen and John Pankow are the pair of your dreams ha-ha i am kidding, they are so out of charisma, unoticable, boring and cheesy, especially the acting of Williem Petersen it is on the level of B-movies actors. Other supportive cast is also not worth mentioning. And on all of that just add the soundtrack of British band Wang Chung, i really like 80s music and soundtracks, but these soundtrack is not going well with the movie and even gives more b-movie atmosphere. I just give this movie 5 from 10 because of great charismatic acting by Williem Defoe, and phenomenal car chase near the end of the movie, but my advice is to skip this one, you will not regret, and you will save your precious time.

gavin6942 A fearless Secret Service agent (William Petersen) will stop at nothing to bring down the counterfeiter (Willem Dafoe) who killed his partner (Michael Greene).As with many movies, this one began as a novel by a former Secret Service agent. Director William Friedkin read the book and loved it, attracted to what he saw as a "surreal" aspect of the Service: the balance of one day living the high life with the president and the next chasing counterfeiters through the slums of America. How much of the novel was based on fact is open to debate (clearly some parts of the film are not realistic). For the parts that are factual, you have to admire Friedkin's attention to detail. The scenes of twenty dollar bills being counterfeited were overseen by a man who had actually served time for counterfeiting (unfortunately left unnamed). What we see is not just Hollywood, but an actual demonstration of how the process was really done. (The bills made on screen were so real, in fact, that the Treasury Department hounded Friedkin and prop master Barry Bedig for months.)Friedkin also puts his actors in some unusual positions, creating amazing results. If he and Petersen are to be believed, the script was very fluid and often scenes that should have been shorter (if the script was followed) kept going as long as the actors would stay in character. For example, much of the "bagman scene" is allegedly unscripted -- the briefcase busting open, the physical confrontation. Other scenes were filmed when actors thought it was only a rehearsal, meaning much of the film is done in one take. For all of this to play out so perfectly through sheer improvisation is just incredible and creates some of the most memorable scenes.There is a great deal to admire about this film. The acting is great, and even better in retrospect given that these are the early roles of some big names. The soundtrack is thumping, and makes Wang Chung seem better than they are often perceived. The action is over the top and at times unbelievable, but this only adds to the appeal. And the cinematography is great -- there are a few mirror shots, for example, which are expertly lined up and crafted. And the methods needed to follow such an intricate chase scene? Wow. Just wow.The car chase runs a bit long, but this is excusable because it adds to that surreal quality the film was going for. What bothered me was the character played by John Turturro. He has a steady subplot throughout the picture, but seems to just magically disappear at one point. It seems like his story is built up but never finished. Is there a cut scene, or did something go over my head?The Blu-ray from Shout! Factory is ridiculously impressive. From a previous release, they ported over the audio commentary with director William Friedkin and kept the featurette "Counterfeit World: The Making Of To Live And Die In L.A.". But that was only the beginning, because they brought us a 4K scan of the negative supervised and approved by Friedkin, so you know the movie has never looked better. And there are plenty of new interviews: 20 minutes with star William Petersen (whose career took off following this film) who explains how Gary Sinise got him the part, stunt coordinator Buddy Joe Hooker, Wang Chung (Jack Hues And Nick Feldman), actress Debra Feuer and actor Dwier Brown.

The Grand Master To Live and Die in L.A. is one of those underrated gems that could easily get lost but then resurface every once in a while. Based on a novel by former Secret Service Agent Gerald Petievich, this action packed crime caper moves at a frenetic pace thanks to director William Friedkin (The French Connection) and it is also notable for featuring a cast of almost unknowns who later find stardom.Los Angeles Secret Service Agent Richard Chance (William L. Petersen, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation) is a reckless daredevil who vows to take down the brilliant but murderous counterfeiter Rick Masters (Willem Dafoe, Platoon) following the brutal murder of Chance's partner Jimmy Hart (Michael Greene) who was due to retire in less than three days. Chance makes it very clear to his new partner John Vukovich (John Pankow, Mad About You) that he will break the law and throw all the rules and ethics out the window to catch Masters no matter the cost. Chance also relies on his informant Ruth (Darlanne Fluegel, Lock Up) to provide him relevant tips with whom he is also having a sexual relationship with as well. Vukovich also contacts Master's lawyer Bob Grimes (Dean Stockwell, Blue Velvet) to try and get close to Masters. Chance and Vukovich continue to tear up the streets of Los Angeles hot on the heels of Masters, but for everyone the price may come at high cost.William L. Petersen, who made his big break here, turns in an excellent performance as the thrill seeking daredevil Secret Service Agent Richard Chance who is breaking every rule in the book no matter the cost to avenge the death of his partner. Willem Dafoe shows that he is always reliable no matter what role he plays and as the murderous counterfeiter Rick Masters, Dafoe is almost flawless. John Pankow who is later well known for comedic roles does a fine job as straight laced John Vukovich who finds himself in a moral dilemma taking down Masters with his partner Chance.The soundtrack by pop band Wang Chun gives the film a neo-noir feeling reminiscent to Miami Vice although the same mood is transferred to Los Angeles. Everything about To Live and Die in L.A. is unashamedly 80's.What makes To Live and Die in L.A. enjoyable is that the movie is not just the same clichéd crime caper. The good guys might have their strengths but their flaws prove to be their downfall. Richard Chance is definitely more of an anti-hero who sees things as the end justifies the means. The bad guys are also three dimensional. While they are criminals, they are also human without sympathizing with them or glamorising their lifestyle. Rick Masters might be brilliant with his methodical attention to detail with counterfeiting dollar bills, but he is also ruthless and is not afraid to commit murder should anyone cross him. His personal life also shows his eccentric behaviour.To Live and Die in L.A. is also made even more memorable featuring one of the most thrilling car chases in cinematic history.Keep an eye out for John Turturro (The Big Lebowski), Robert Downey Sr. (Robert Downey Jr's father) and Steve James (American Ninja) in small roles.Over 30 years later, To Live and Die in L.A. is still an underrated gem that is still enjoyable and well worth checking out. It's also fantastic to see a majority of the cast including William L. Petersen and Willem Dafoe move onto bigger and better things with their career.9/10.