Liberty & Bash Crime Task Force (1989) – Myrl A. Schreibman.

Once I had digested the film's rather unwieldy title, I then began to joyfully cogitate upon the impending enormity of an 80s cop/actioner with midnight movie maestros Miles O'Keefe and big Lou Ferrigno? That's one HELL of a beautifully screwball team up! I can't really imagine that anyone intrigued by this one will truly give a chimp's fart about the gang war plot shenanigans, bloodily unleashed upon the mean streets of Angel city. After A-1 Task Forcer Liberty's (O'Keefe) beleaguered war buddy Jesse (Richard Egan) is executed, he becomes dangerously drawn into the crossfire.

Even as an admirer of chiselled cheesecake O'Keefe, he's especially charismatic as a crusading, straight-shooting good guy, but when Liberty and Bash (Ferrigno) finally tool up and steamroller the double-dealing skells, it proved softer than I anticipated. The poster art is somewhat disingenuous, as this is manifestly O'Keefe's show, Ferrigno's appearances, while playful, are frustratingly brief. Fans of handsome B-hero Miles O'Keefe should find this golden, but those who favour his hulking co-star may, perhaps, be a mite disappointed. The action is quite bloody, usage of L. A.'s seamier-looking locales proved effective, the supporting cast are fine, with Gary Conway really popping in the noisome final act!