Armed and Dangerous | Not Quite Locked, Loaded, or Funny

Season 21, Episode 8

This week on Forgotten Cinema, we strap on our ill-fitting security uniforms and take a second look at Armed and Dangerous, the 1986 action-comedy starring the always-likable John Candy and a pre-Schitt’s Creek Eugene Levy.

And on paper? This movie should work. It’s got comedy legends, a buddy-cop setup, and an ‘80s plot line involving corrupt unions, armored trucks, and plenty of room for physical gags and genre send-ups. But instead of firing on all cylinders, Armed and Dangerous mostly misfires.

Now, to be fair, Butler came in with a healthy dose of nostalgia — having caught this one on cable more than a few times as a teenager — and still finds some enjoyment in Candy’s charm and the weirdly endearing energy between him and Levy. Field wasn’t quite as generous, believing there’s something about this movie that feels like it’s trying to be funnier than it actually is.

We break down where the film goes off the rails: the uneven tone, the lack of character development, and a script that leans on slapstick when it could’ve gone for sharper satire. We also dive into the film’s very rocky behind-the-scenes history, including its original creative team and how Harold Ramis, who co-wrote the script, basically disowned the final product.

It’s a movie that wants to be Stripes meets Beverly Hills Cop, but ends up somewhere closer to a forgotten Sunday afternoon cable rerun. That said, there are flashes of fun, mostly thanks to Candy and Levy doing what they can with what they’ve got.

So is Armed and Dangerous worth revisiting? Maybe. Especially if you’re in the mood for a weird slice of '80s comedy that almost works. Just don’t expect it to be locked and loaded with laughs.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or catch the episode on YouTube. And remember: sometimes nostalgia can disarm even the most critical viewer. Just not always.

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