A unidentified murderer with 2 pounds of stolen diamonds is on the run. He's headed to Canada (through Washington), but when the road is blocked by coppers, he goes off road, kills a man and takes his place in a guided hiking/fishing trip that just happens to headed near the United States/Canadian border. Unbeknownst to the murderer, the FBI is hot on his trail. They don't know the guys identity (meaning they can't go crashing in on the fishing party and risk having him slaughter everybody), so instead, they send in 61-year-old city slicker Sidney Poiter to go trampling through endless miles of harsh Washington wilderness in winter. Also along for the ride is local guide Tom Berenger, who just happens to be the boyfriend of the guide (Kirstie Alley) on the fishing trip.
That sounds convoluted, but it makes more sense when you watch the film, which I recommend you do. It's not a life changer or anything, but SHOOT TO KILL is a fun solid late 80's actioner that relies more on tension and character development than it does on punching people through windows and driving a motorcycle into a helicopter (hum...maybe I should go watch STONE COLD tonight!).
Good acting, just the correct amount of humor to be delightful and not irritating, a moose, steady pace, okay direction, beautiful scenery, excellent cast, abrupt ending, a bear, zero nudity, very little blood, zero gore, a piece of carrot cake for 95 cents, a dummies legs getting crunk after being thrown off a cliff, a horse giving the stinkeye.
There is definitely some things that could have been done to improve the film, but as it is, it's still a satisfying afternoon waster. Recommended. Double-feature with THE RIVER WILD.
