Excessive Force (film)

Excessive Force is a 1993 American action film directed by Jon Hess and starring Thomas Ian Griffith, Charlotte Lewis, and Lance Henriksen.

The film centers around Terry McCain (Griffith), a former Chicago police officer framed for a crime he didn't commit. He is pursued by corrupt cops and ruthless criminals while trying to clear his name and expose a conspiracy within the Chicago Police Department. The plot involves a stolen videotape that contains evidence of police corruption, specifically the execution of an unarmed suspect by officers during a drug raid.

Charlotte Lewis plays Anna, a woman who possesses the incriminating videotape and becomes McCain's ally. Lance Henriksen portrays Devlin, the corrupt police chief orchestrating the cover-up and hunting McCain.

The film is characterized by its high-octane action sequences, including shootouts, car chases, and hand-to-hand combat. Excessive Force explores themes of police corruption, justice, and the fight against systemic abuse of power. Despite its action-oriented approach, the film attempts to address the complex issues of police brutality and the potential for corruption within law enforcement agencies. Critical reception was generally negative, with criticism directed towards its formulaic plot and excessive violence.