Tango & Cash is an over-the-top action comedy that delivers exactly what it promises: explosive action, witty banter, and a healthy dose of 80s excess. Sylvester Stallone and Kurt Russell star as Ray Tango and Gabriel Cash, two rival Los Angeles police Narcotics Division detectives who are framed for a crime they didn’t commit and forced to team up to clear their names.
The film thrives on the contrasting personalities of its two leads. Stallone embodies the cool and collected Tango, while Russell plays the hot-headed, impulsive Cash. Their on-screen chemistry is undeniable, with their witty exchanges providing much of the film’s comedic relief.
Kurt Russell and Sylvester Stallone in Tango & Cash (Photo/Warner Bros.)
The action sequences are undeniably 80s, with plenty of explosions, car chases, and over-the-top gunfights. Jack Palance chews the scenery as the villainous Yves Perret, adding to the film’s campy charm.
Teri Hatcher stars as Kiki, Tango’s sister and Cash’s love interest, prior to her star turns on the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993–1997) and Desperate Housewives (2004-2012). She also starred as Paris Carver alongside Pierce Brosnan in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies (1997).
The film was produced by Jon Peters and Peter Guber, fresh off the box office success of Batman starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson and the Oscar -winning success of Rain Man starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise.
Reception for Tango & Cash
Tango & Cash opened on Dec. 22, 1989, where it debuted at No. 2 at the box office, grossing $6.6 million en route to a total gross of $64.4 million.
The film currently sits at 31% on the Rotten Tomatoes with critics and 50% with moviegoers.
Legacy
Tango & Cash is a fun and entertaining action flick that perfectly captures the spirit of its era. It’s a guilty pleasure that delivers exactly what it promises: mindless entertainment with a healthy dose of 80s nostalgia.
