The Taking of Beverly Hills (released in theaters on October 11, 1991) is a bombastic, big-budget action spectacle that serves as a fascinating transition between the muscle-bound heroics of the 1980s and the high-concept thrillers of the early 90s.
Directed by Sidney J. Furie, the film takes the “Die Hard in a…” template and applies it to the one of the most expensive zip codes in America.
It is a film that delights in the destruction of high-end consumerism, turning Rodeo Drive into a war zone and providing a rare leading-man showcase for the charismatic Ken Wahl during his post-Wiseguy peak.
The story kicks off with a sophisticated master plan orchestrated by Robert Masterson (Robert Davi), a ruthless former cop with a grudge against the elite.
Under the guise of a toxic chemical spill, the police evacuate the entire city of Beverly Hills, sealing it off from the outside world.
In reality, the “spill” is a smoke screen allowing a paramilitary group of corrupt ex-officers to systematically loot the abandoned mansions and jewelry stores of the ultra-wealthy.
Trapped inside the “dead zone” is Boomer Hayes (Wahl), a washed-up pro football player who missed the evacuation.
He is joined by Ed Kelvin (Matt Frewer), a quirky and disillusioned cop.
Together, this unlikely duo must navigate the barricaded streets to thwart Masterson’s army.
Along the way, Boomer seeks to rescue Laura Sage (Harley Jane Kozak), the daughter of a wealthy mogul, who is being held captive by the mercenaries.
Utilizing Boomer’s athletic prowess and Ed’s insider knowledge, they engage in a series of explosive confrontations involving armored vehicles, heavy weaponry, and spectacular pyrotechnics.
As the heist nears its conclusion, the film builds to a chaotic showdown where Boomer must intercept the thieves’ loot-filled convoy before they can vanish into the California night.
Lee Ving, Lyman Ward, Branscombe Richmond, George Wyner, William Prince, Michael Bowen and Tony Ganios round out the cast.
Pamela Anderson made a brief appearance as a cheerleader.
Harley Jane Kozak and Ken Wahl in The Taking of Beverly Hills (Photo/Columbia Pictures)
Reception for The Taking of Beverly Hills
The Taking of Beverly Hills grossed $939,277 in limited release on its theatrical run.
Legacy
The Taking of Beverly Hills is famously remembered for the “Rodeo Drive” set, a massive, full-scale recreation of the iconic shopping district built in Mexico specifically to be decimated by gunfire and explosions. This dedication to tactile effects gives the film a visceral weight that remains impressive in the digital age.
The movie is also celebrated for the chemistry between Wahl and Frewer, whose “buddy-cop” dynamic provided a necessary dose of humor amidst the carnage.
Davi’s performance as the calculating Masterson further cemented his reputation as one of the era’s most reliable and menacing villains.
The Taking of Beverly Hills has found a second life as a cult favorite among action enthusiasts who appreciate its “last of its kind” feel. Today, it stands as a loud, proud testament to the era of the high-concept blockbuster, praised for its sheer audacity and its unapologetic love for cinematic destruction.
