Good concept, poorly executed.

Expected more

I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

STAKEOUT plays like your typical buddy cop action comedy (the '80s really churned these out), but its real magic lies in its casting. Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, Madeline Stowe and even that guy that played the captain are all very well chosen for these parts. The two leads make for a terrific pairing; Dreyfuss shows great comedic talent, but most of the laughs come from Estevez's nagging wife in the partnership. The action-centric third act loses steam without the characters' winning personalities, but they're back just in time for the end credits. It's good light fun. The Top 40 soundtrack even seems to fit (probably because I like those songs). But most importantly, there's Madeline Stowe, who just radiates Latin hotness. Sweet Jesus.7/10

Noted action director John Badham delivers this comedy action-thriller concerning two cops, maverick Dreyfuss and his reluctant companion Estevez as they're ordered as punishment to undertake a stakeout detail across the road from a woman (Stowe) linked to a criminal they're wanting to catch (Quinn). The two engage in unprofessional conduct and eventually Dreyfuss discovers he's enamoured by Stowe, not at all like her FBI profile had suggested ("she could be the house!", Dreyfuss proclaims as Estevez reads her weight from the dossier). Naturally his affections compromise the case and he ends up deeper undercover than planned, posing as a criminal to avoid Quinn's suspicion.Badham doesn't seem to have the pitch quite right here; the film teeters between comedy and thriller, with some very funny moments (the "Jaws" in-joke is a cracker) contrasted by graphic violence. On the whole though, Dreyfuss and Estevez make an entertaining duo and their school-boy antics on their day shift peers (Lauria and Whitaker) serves to emphasise the light and humorous mood that often prevails.Sultry and seductive, Stowe gives a memorable performance as the former moll, whereas Quinn's violent criminal is mostly peripheral to the plot, only coming into focus in the last third of the film and its bloody conclusion in the timber mill. This was made at a time when Dreyfuss' career was recovering from his cocaine-induced hiatus, and both he and Estevez (perhaps his best 'adult' role to date) have the comedic timing and chemistry to make "Stakeout" an unlikely success. Followed by "Another Stakeout".

Det. Chris Lecce (Richard Dreyfuss) and Det. Bill Reimers (Emilio Estevez]) get assigned to stakeout the home of Maria McGuire (Madeleine Stowe) in the hope that her recently escaped from prison ex (Aidan Quinn) shows up. The ex showing up is the least of their problems for Chris is starting to fall for Maria, and that spells trouble for everyone.There's something about 80s action comedies that just doesn't travel well. Where once film's like Beverly Hills Cop and this John Badham directed piece were massively popular, now they seem to receive negativity from a majority of the new wave of film watchers. I don't have the answer myself, perhaps it's just one of those decades that doesn't date well? Even if that saying is beyond my own comprehension for any decade.What ever, Stakeout is a fun and entertaining picture, yes it's a routine plot {a kind of fun Rear Window}, but the chemistry between Estevez and an on fire Dreyfuss lifts it far above being a bog standard buddy movie. Jim Kouf's screenplay has some sharp moments of comedy, notably the play off between our two main protagonists and another cop pairing played by Forest Whitaker & Dan Lauria. While Badham competently constructs the action sequences that are a staple for this kind of movie. Quinn does a nice line in psycho villainy, while Stowe is sexy and vulnerable to great effect. It's a credit to both Stowe and Dreyfuss that their coupling, in spite of the age and social differences, is believable and tender.Nothing new here of course, but the good story is told well and acted with great comic gusto. An equally enjoyable sequel (Another Stakeout) followed in 1993. 7/10

I've always loved STAKEOUT, from the first time I saw it in the late 80s up until now. It never loses it's appeal with me. On the surface, it's a pretty standard 80s buddy cop action tale. But what translates to the screen is much more than that. Laughter is a hard thing to make a moviegoer do and this film succeeds in virtually every moment that is meant to be funny in making me laugh. I give STAKEOUT great credit for that. It's also a darn good action flick, when it has action and that is mostly in the beginning and at the end. In between, there's a lot of humor, of the slapstick, witty, and adult kind.Set in Seattle, STAKEOUT stars Richard Dreyfuss as Det. Chris Lecce and Emilio Estevez as Det. Bill Reimers. Chris and Bill are tasked to stakeout the home of Maria Vasquez (played by Madeleine Stowe in one of the most naturally alluring and sexy performances that you'll ever see on screen). Stowe's Maria is a true bonus for this film b/c she is much more than window dressing; she is a full blooded (and bodied!) woman. The detectives have to stakeout her home b/c her former boyfriend is an escaped convict who may pay her a visit, so the Feds want the cops there to notify them just in case.The convict is Richard 'Stick' Montgomery (played by Aidan Quinn in truly scary performance). Stick and his buddy who helped him escape are on their to Seattle to pay Maria a visit to get something that 'belongs' to Stick.Now, back to the cops: Dreyfus and Estevez have terrific chemistry and really make the most of their roles, but this is Dreyfus' show all the way! Dreyfus gives a great, physical comic performance here, a real gem of a role trapped in a standard cop buddy flick. I mean, I can't state it enough: Dreyfus is really memorable! Really, it's the top-flight performances that elevates STAKEOUT above most cop buddy flicks. Everyone really makes the most of what they are given to work with, and then Dreyfus takes it all a step further. The film is an easy mix of humor, action, and even suspense. The climactic ending is one of the more suspenseful things you'll see in any movie. It is all so well done that at times you forget that you are watching just a buddy cop film. There are also really good supporting performances from Dan Lauria and Forrest Whitaker as the other cop pair that alternate stakeout duties with Chris and Bill.Well directed by John Badham, STAKEOUT is definitely a film worth seeing!