Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (1994) starring Robert Wagner, Stefanie Powers, Lionel Stander, David Rasche, James Shigeta directed by Peter Roger Hunt Movie Review

Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (1994)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Stefanie Powers, Robert Wagner and James Avery in Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (1994)

Murder They Spoke

Publisher Alfred Raine (David Leisure) is holding a 3 day party on his private Hawaiian island for his clients and friends which is how Jennifer (Stefanie Powers) and Jonathan (Robert Wagner) end up being there as he would like to sign Mrs. H up. But just prior to heading off Jonathan receives word that someone maybe trying to take over his company so has Max (Lionel Stander) do some digging around in to who it could be whilst they are gone. On the island Jonathan and Jennifer meet with a range of authors including a chess expert (James Avery) and a feminist (Vicki Lawrence) as well as crime writer Frank Crane (Mike Farrell) who knew Jonathan when they were at college together. As Jonathan becomes the focus of a series of actions it is Frank who seems to be able to foresee these disasters making Jennifer highly suspicious.

So "Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die" was the 4th of the 8 "Hart to Hart" TV movies and the third which came out in 1994. Maybe that has something to do with it as sadly whilst the 2nd and 3rd movie in this series of movies worked and were a lot of fun this 4th movie comes up short of expectations. Don't get me wrong as for those who enjoy the glamour of the "Hart to Hart" series will still enjoy it but the spark and energy seems to be lacking.

Mike Farrell in Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die (1994)

Now "Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die" is your basic Hart to Hart movie, there is something dodgy going on with Jonathan in danger, not too untypical and as such are crime solving couple must work out what is going on before it is too late. Of course we have a variety of suspects from a crime writer to a feminist as well as a chess player and well you know what to expect by the time the climax comes. Of course none of it is tight with gaping plot holes and gigantic contrivances but then do you expect anything else from a "Hart to Hart" storyline.

What though seems to be lacking this times is energy as whilst there is still that wonderful chemistry between Robert Wagner and Stefanie Powers so many of the scenes end up forced and some times laboured. It maybe down to the supporting performances with everyone playing their part in an over the top manner which pushes "Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die" to be even cheesier than you would normally expect.

What this all boils down to is that whilst "Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die" is still okay for devotees of "Hart to Hart" it just lacks something for those wanting a bit of "Hart to Hart" nostalgia.

Tags: TV Mystery Movie Crime Solvers


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