A story about one of the most controversial units ever devised. The S.I.S. A rogue unit made to take out the criminal element with extreme swift justice. For many who delve into the legal system it shows just how far policemen will go to either take in their targets, or just riddle them full of bullets as the only answer to diffuse a dangerous situation. Criminals do not have honour in any sense of the word namely for the wild west theory. It's better to go out in a blaze of glory than be stuck in a prison where they get three meals, and a TV, or some chocolate tubing by a cell mate. Lou Diamond Philips plays his role as a lone wolf cop who understands the right, and wrong of what his partner (Scott Glenn) is doing but is placed between a rock, and a hard place simply for the fact that the criminals need to be put down.Yet the price is way too high. Watching a crime taking place then giving a one warning, which leads to a shootout is why Powers (Philips) is so devastated by his crew. To see once good cops becoming the very same element in the name of justice creates a rift between he, and his team, which ultimately leads toward a showdown. Many who watched this movie often remarked at just how efficient it is to just negate the criminal altogether since it was their choice to begin with. Like the old west, where justice came in the form of a gun and resolve to use it in the face of tyrannical regimes on the streets. Agreeably I can say that many criminals do need a bullet, but more than likely there will always be innocents in the middle ground.This was a very good film for its gritty portrayal of cops who underneath only wants peace in their city. Except to attain it they for went their humanity in order to achieve such a notion. The S.I.S. was at a time a very influential division until many of the stories that abounded from eye witnesses caused a huge upheaval in the L.A. police department. Scores of testimonies led to arrests, and sentences against those in power as well as the many police officers who got involved in such a covert squad. The shoot outs were intense, as well as the violent outcomes of each engagement. Great casting, and wonderful blue collar script that the audience could relate to for the working classes.In many ways... crime has become a sustainable asset for those in high offices but also in key government positions. Drugs, weapons, human trafficking, and black ops are what is the norm now a days. The only thing missing are the rogue squads that had no compunction of shooting a criminal to death in order to save the tax payers monetary issues or pressures. It costs over fifty thousand dollars an inmate today to keep them inside living comfortably around those who have a better way to pull of a criminal act. It is a learning institute in itself for those who are about to be released from prison. Once out... they still have the choice of moving on, or keep going as before but with new insight from his former inmates. Perhaps today's criminal needs a new squad. And if by chance witnesses are there to see it, will hopefully evacuate the area before shooting begins. The final thing any criminal, and policeman should have is a tumbleweed rolling across the asphalt.

Fans of good action films will find "Extreme Justice" to their liking. What elevates this police special squad film above the competition, is the interesting and effective cast. You rarely see Scott Glenn, Lou Diamond Phillips, Ed Lauter, and Yaphet Kotto all together in one exciting movie. Ethical questions aside, "Extreme Justice" delivers the death squad justice in massive doses. If you are a fan of any of the above actors, then seek this one out, because you will not be disappointed. My only objection is that the female lead, Chelsea Field, playing a snoopy reporter, is rather bland, cold, and ultimately forgettable. - MERK

Unlike what one reviewer said this is NOT a ripoff of Magnum Force. In that one Lieutenant Hal Holbrook put together his own little squad from Academy rookies to dispatch repeat offenders. In Extreme Justice this operation has the sanction from the higher ups of the LAPD. Just how far they sanction the exact methods used is open to question. This Special Investigations Squad seems to be quite the haven for the misfits of the LAPD, those that have forgotten their first duty is protection and service. Which is why Scott Glenn thinks Lou Diamond Phillips, a detective with more than his share of beefs with Internal Affairs for excessive use of force, is perfect for the squad.What should have sent him running from Phillips is the fact he's got a nice live-in relationship with a reporter, Chelsea Field. That one certainly threw me in this film, you'd think that Lou would be the last guy he'd try to recruit for his team.And what his team is, is a death squad. They target perpetrators follow them and wait to catch them in the act. Then it's open season.Extreme Justice went very overboard in trying to make a point. There sure would have been no harm in waiting for a gang of bank robbers to finish the robbery and taking them down outside. No civilians got hurt when the citizens of Coffeyville did that to the Daltons. Or waiting until three rapists finish the job before moving in. That's what were asked to believe here.And frankly I couldn't buy it. A lot of good players get really wasted in this one.

In a plot strikingly similar to that of Eastwood's "Magnum Force", "Extreme Justice" deals with cops that take the law into their own hands and execute criminals in cold blood. The blurring of the line between law and justice, and between vigilantism and paranoia, is done here more efficiently than it was in "Magnum Force", so the movie holds your interest, despite the routine on all other accounts script and Mark Lester's unimaginative direction. The entire male cast is solid, but Chelsea Field is unconvincing as the hotshot reporter. (**)