Review of Sunset Strip

Sunset Strip (1985)
Boring action pic
9 March 2023
My review was written after watching the movie on Vestron video cassette.

"Sunset Strip" is another lame attempt at a thriller geared to the glamorous sleaziness of Hollywood street life (or at least its reputation). Filmed in the summer of 1984, feature is being released directly to home video, bypassing U. S. theatrical (as have filmmaker William Webb's previous efforts).

Opening with some unimpressive and instantly dated breakdancing footage, picture toplines Tom Eplin and Mark Jeffrson, a young still photographer with a fancy motorbike who agrees to help pal Roger Lucas (John Mayall), whose music club is being threatened by strong-arm men who he thinks want to take it over and use it as a front for prostitution. Ruthless baddie John Moran (Danny Williams) has his goons kill a girl in the opening reel to show they mean business. His real goal is to use the club to front his operations for selling guns to youngsters.

With various chase scenes as filler, the film plods along to a happy ending, as Jefferson gets evidence against the bad guys and uncovers a corrupt cop. Along the way, Lucas and others are kille, but Jefferson manages to save his cute ex-girlfriend who sings at the club, Carol (Cheryl Cameron Newell).

Minus suspense or interesting detailing, film is limp. Leads Eplin and Newel are attractive in their walk-through assignments, while legendary British bluesman John Mayall has little to do in a small role. Tech credits are competent.
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