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Federal Protection (2002)
Released By: LionsGate Entertainment   Rating: R   In Theaters: N/A
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Studio: LionsGate Entertainment
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Director: Anthony Hickox
Language: English
Official Website: N/A
Theatrical Release: N/A
Home Video Release: N/A
Cast: Armand Assante, Dina Meyer, Angela Featherstone
Published ID: 123832
UPC: 031398805427, 687797606495,
Plot: Chop Chop Frankie Carbone (Armand Assante) has made a career out of stealing cars for the mob in Chicago. An attempted assassination by a mob boss goes badly and Frankie retaliates, only to wind up in the hands of the Feds. Frankie agrees to testify against the mobsters and his life is suddenly worthless -- unless he submits to going into federal protection. The FBI gives him a new name -- Howard Akers -- and relocates him to a sleepy middle-class suburb in Little Rock, AR. Howard catches the attention of his lovely neighbor, Leigh (Angela Featherstone), a bored fund-raiser for a non-profit zoo whose husband, Dennis (David Lipper), is having an affair -- and she knows it, but she doesn't know it's with her hot-blooded sister, Bootsie (Dina Meyer). Leigh becomes friends with the enigmatic Howard, but Dennis and Bootsie see an opportunity to earn the million-dollar bounty the mob has put on his head by turning him in to the mob. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide
IDDateTimeTitleReviewHelpfulVotesTotalVotes
Garbage.
Added 10/9/2005

Federal protection is just another crapy straight to video film that I just didn't find intresting infact halfway through the film I was bored to death yes nothing to see here folks just move along. Everything in this film was lousy including the script, acting and the action scenes none of this mattered except it has Armand Asante who is not exactley a good actor and he might seem to be stuck in this type of film genre. Frank Carbone (Armand Asante) has been a gangster all his life and the mob are out to get him. After an assassination attempt he agrees to testify and becomes involved in the witness protection programme, its not long before the mob closes in. The film was filled with so many cliches from other mafia films that it became irratating, just watch Made men with James Belushi in it instead of this for a better low budget fim.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Decent plot, but very weak ending.
Added 11/4/2003

A comedy? Hardly. This movie has some very good action scenes and an engaging (if predictable) plot. Overall, the movie is entertaining, but somebody really missed the opportunity for a great ending. I won't blow it for you by describing how they missed it, but if you do watch this one you'll probably have the same perception -- something is missing at the end, but there's not enough missing to expect a sequel (not to say that they won't cobble one together).
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
A bizarre comedy, made watchable by Meyer and Assante.
Added 8/21/2003

This film isn't much of an action thriller, contrary to what the cover suggests. There's a lengthy shootout scene at the end, but most of the film is an excessive, violent, aiming-to-be-hip comedy which does draw some good laughs, but ultimately falls short of being a good film.

Dina Meyer all but owns the picture. She single-handedly drives the action, and she's clearly having a ball with the scheming, none-too-bright character. She also supplies the film with its best scene, the seductive cat-and-mouse at the police luncheon. It's precisely this spark that Angela Featherstone lacks -- playing the wounded housewife, Featherstone offers nothing we haven't seen before. A shame, because she'd started her career in an array of strange roles, most memorable being Dark Angel: The Ascent -- not the James Cameron TV show, but the Full Moon Pictures gore film. She's become a token actress with soft eyes and elvish haircut, offering no surprises or star quality. Armand Assante's role in the picture isn't all that large, frankly, but he does appear more confident than most of the other actors. Too bad he and Meyer don't really have scenes together; Meyer is a much better actor than Featherstone for Assante to play opposite.

There are some good sight gags -- the golf-club gag, the aforementioned police luncheon -- but some of that is negated by over-the-top violence. Director Anthony Hickox is at fault -- what did you expect from the director of Hellraiser III? As he deserves credit for the inventiveness of the comedic routines, so he deserves blame for the excessive gore-as-sight-gag scenes, which are never as funny as they think they are.

Worth a look, but not much more.


4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
Supporting cast protects "Protection"
Added 9/9/2002

Federal protection is stylishly directed be Anthony (Hell Raiser)Hickox. Visions of early Tarantino are evident here, as comedy mixes with violence. Although Armand Assante is the big name draw on this video box, it is the supporting cast who steal the show.

Dina Meyer and David Lipper are simply the most interesting to watch, as they combine a sexy performance with great comedic timing. Assante is his usual solid self, staying with the familiar gangster role.

I reccommend this film to anyome who likes movies such as Reservoir Dogs, The Heist, and Witness.


4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
Garbage.
Added 10/9/2005

Federal protection is just another crapy straight to video film that I just didn't find intresting infact halfway through the film I was bored to death yes nothing to see here folks just move along. Everything in this film was lousy including the script, acting and the action scenes none of this mattered except it has Armand Asante who is not exactley a good actor and he might seem to be stuck in this type of film genre. Frank Carbone (Armand Asante) has been a gangster all his life and the mob are out to get him. After an assassination attempt he agrees to testify and becomes involved in the witness protection programme, its not long before the mob closes in. The film was filled with so many cliches from other mafia films that it became irratating, just watch Made men with James Belushi in it instead of this for a better low budget fim.
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
Decent plot, but very weak ending.
Added 11/4/2003

A comedy? Hardly. This movie has some very good action scenes and an engaging (if predictable) plot. Overall, the movie is entertaining, but somebody really missed the opportunity for a great ending. I won't blow it for you by describing how they missed it, but if you do watch this one you'll probably have the same perception -- something is missing at the end, but there's not enough missing to expect a sequel (not to say that they won't cobble one together).
2 out of 2 people found this helpful.
A bizarre comedy, made watchable by Meyer and Assante.
Added 8/21/2003

This film isn't much of an action thriller, contrary to what the cover suggests. There's a lengthy shootout scene at the end, but most of the film is an excessive, violent, aiming-to-be-hip comedy which does draw some good laughs, but ultimately falls short of being a good film.

Dina Meyer all but owns the picture. She single-handedly drives the action, and she's clearly having a ball with the scheming, none-too-bright character. She also supplies the film with its best scene, the seductive cat-and-mouse at the police luncheon. It's precisely this spark that Angela Featherstone lacks -- playing the wounded housewife, Featherstone offers nothing we haven't seen before. A shame, because she'd started her career in an array of strange roles, most memorable being Dark Angel: The Ascent -- not the James Cameron TV show, but the Full Moon Pictures gore film. She's become a token actress with soft eyes and elvish haircut, offering no surprises or star quality. Armand Assante's role in the picture isn't all that large, frankly, but he does appear more confident than most of the other actors. Too bad he and Meyer don't really have scenes together; Meyer is a much better actor than Featherstone for Assante to play opposite.

There are some good sight gags -- the golf-club gag, the aforementioned police luncheon -- but some of that is negated by over-the-top violence. Director Anthony Hickox is at fault -- what did you expect from the director of Hellraiser III? As he deserves credit for the inventiveness of the comedic routines, so he deserves blame for the excessive gore-as-sight-gag scenes, which are never as funny as they think they are.

Worth a look, but not much more.


4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
Supporting cast protects "Protection"
Added 9/9/2002

Federal protection is stylishly directed be Anthony (Hell Raiser)Hickox. Visions of early Tarantino are evident here, as comedy mixes with violence. Although Armand Assante is the big name draw on this video box, it is the supporting cast who steal the show.

Dina Meyer and David Lipper are simply the most interesting to watch, as they combine a sexy performance with great comedic timing. Assante is his usual solid self, staying with the familiar gangster role.

I reccommend this film to anyome who likes movies such as Reservoir Dogs, The Heist, and Witness.


4 out of 4 people found this helpful.
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