#The deadly art of illusion movie
#The deadly art of illusion serial

Brown and Dennehy are the real reason – perhaps the only reason – to tune into 'F/X 2', but they're good enough that this release is still worth adding to your collection. This is one of those movies where the chemistry of the two lead actors and their on-screen likability goes a long way in one's enjoyment of the film.

However, in terms of sheer energy and fun, 'F/X 2' is the superior film. In terms of logic and plot comprehension, 'F/X 2' is inferior to the original movie. Although it takes a good 40 minutes before he actually shows up in the movie, from that point forward he's as much this film's star as Brown is and is probably the main reason 'F/X 2' succeeds as a sequel. The filmmakers also know what a gem of an actor they have in Brian Dennehy and give him much more to do this second time around.

#The deadly art of illusion movie

Sure, the filmmakers stretch believability to get their characters into set ups where the movie can have Rollie use his F/X skills (my favorite is when he squares off against the assassin trailing him in a grocery store), but those scenes have so much energy to them, you forgive the movie for its leaps of logic. But even though the film feels familiar, it still manages to deliver a whole lot of fun. The basic premise of 'F/X 2' isn't that far removed from the original: once again a job by Rollie leads him into trouble, once again there's a law enforcement officer who is involved in criminal activity, and once again – as the second half of this movie reveals – there's a mob tie-in to all the dastardly deeds. It is at about this point in the movie that Leo shows up to help his old friend out. Not long after the murder, Rollie realizes that police chief Ray Silak (Philip Bosco) is involved in a cover-up, and soon the same assassin who offed Mike is after Rollie and his new family. Instead, a second man arrives on the scene and kills Mike. The sting operation that Rollie is asked to help out with is supposed to stop a criminal from killing a model he's threatened. Rollie's girlfriend has an ex-husband, Mike (Tom Mason), who is a cop, and – sure enough – a case comes up where Mike needs Rollie's help to try and nab a bad guy. No mention of the $15 million from the first movie is ever made in this sequel.

He's no longer in the movie business, but instead using his special effects stills to make high-end toys for kids. As 'F/X 2' begins, however, Rollie is living in New York City with a new girlfriend (Rachael Ticotin) and her son (Dominic Zamprogna – who is now all grown up and a star on the ABC soap 'General Hospital'). The last time we saw Rollie Tyler (Brown) and Leo McCarthy (Dennehy), they had just snuck off with $15 million in mob money and supposedly would spend the rest of their lives both rich and in hiding. Still, as sequels go, 'F/X 2' is a pretty entertaining one, although that has less to do with the storyline and more to do with the return of actors Bryan Brown and Brian Dennehy in the lead roles. The ploy worked, as the film opened in the number one spot its opening weekend, but soon floundered at the box office thereafter, and wound up being considered one of that year's theatrical disappointments. Instead of trying to make the second story as gritty as the first, the follow-up was toned down to aim for a PG-13 rating and designed to be one of the first big summer movie releases of 1991. The original F/X was one of those movies that did just okay during its theatrical run, but thanks to the world of home video in late 1980s became popular enough to warrant a sequel. but only if he can stay alive! Cult filmmaker Richard Franklin (Psycho II, Road Games) directed this top-notch sequel that features a strong cast including Rachel Ticotin (Total Recall), Joanna Gleason (Boogie Nights), Philip Bosco (The Dream Team) and Kevin J. And soon, he finds himself trapped in a murderous maze of deceit and treachery in which he must depend on his ingenious tricks and his friendship with detective Leo McCarthy (Dennehy) to expose a terrifying underworld conspiracy.

#The deadly art of illusion serial

But when his girlfriend's ex-husband, a police detective, persuades him to devise an illusion to capture a serial killer, Rollie is once again lured into the lethal world of make-believe.

Five years after his first deadly adventure, Rollie Tyler (Brown) has left the special effects business and now designs sophisticated electronic toys for a living. The Deadly Art of Illusion! Bryan Brown (Far East) and Brian Dennehy (Gorky Park) are back as Rollie and Leo in an all-new action-thriller that continues the F/X saga with stylish wit, unrelenting suspense and amazing high-tech action.