F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion [F/X2] *** (1991, Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy, Rachel Ticotin) – Classic Movie Review 9645

Director Richard Franklin’s 1991 complicated action thriller F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion [F/X2] stars Bryan Brown, Brian Dennehy and Rachel Ticotin.

In a surprise, belated sequel to 1986’s F/X – Murder by Illusion, Bryan Brown is back as the movie special effects man Rollie Tyler, who again uses his trade to help the cops (why doesn’t he just stick to film-making?).

Rollie, now a toy inventor, helps his girlfriend Kim (Rachel Ticotin)’s ex-husband, cop Mike Brandon (Tom Mason), with a sting operation, where the ex gets killed. Rollie investigates and gets into trouble.

Brian Dennehy is on hand again too as Leo McCarthy, the ex-cop from the first movie, now working as a private investigator, who could get him out of his new trouble.

F/X2: The Deadly Art of Illusion [F/X2] is entertaining, easy-going stuff, with sporting players and spiffing special effects, although there is the usual script strain to find a sequel plotline. There is a different writer this time, Bill Condon, basing his screenplay on the characters created in the original F/X by actor Gregory Fleeman and documentarian Robert T Megginson.

Also in the cast are Joanna Gleason, Philip Bosco, Kevin J O’Connor, Tom Mason, John Walsh, James Stacy, Peter Boreski, Lisa Fallon, Lee Broker and Ross Petty.

A spinoff TV series, F/X: The Series, aired from 1996 to 1998.

Brian Dennehy in F/X2 (1991).

RIP legendary iconic actor Brian Dennehy, who died on 15 April 2020, aged 81. He is also remembered for First Blood, Gorky Park, F/X, Best Seller, Cocoon, Silverado, Legal Eagles, Presumed Innocent and Tommy Boy.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 9645

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