I haven't seen "The Presidio" for about a decade, so watching it again recently after so many years was almost like watching it for the first time. Although it's definitely not a top class thriller, more of a low-key crime drama, the final twist in the tale makes it a decent picture. It's got fantastic setting. Peter Hyams, who apart from directing the film also holds a spot as director of photography, shots exteriors stylishly. The slightly cold colours correspond well with Sean Connery's characterisation as a strict man of principles. In case of Connery it's always as much about the acting as it is about the looks and he looks really good as an MP officer, mostly wearing regular uniforms, prefferably dark blue. If he hadn't succeeded as 007 he would have definitely made a career as a character actor playing officers. Mark Harmon takes over as an action man from Connery which is a nice change. The chase scene is quite impressive even by today's standards, well done! On the other hand the fight scene with Connery is also well choreographed. My only complain would be about Meg Ryan's character. She seems too soft, too childish as for a person rised only by a father, who happens to be a rather tough guy, shy of showing emotions. Somehow her character doesn't convince me at all. In a nutshell: you'll like the film if you like San Francsico and you'll love it if you like Sean Connery. No more, no less.

'The Presidio' is a decent enough military action thriller, dating back to before 'JAG' or 'NCIS' were ever conceived. The film sees a military policewoman being murdered on her rounds at a San Francisco Army base. As the ensuing chase for the assailants involves both the military and civilian police, there is a resulting clash over who has jurisdiction to investigate the murder. Civilian Detective Jay Austin is sent only to find himself working with Lieutentant Colonel Caldell, his former commanding officer when he was an MP. To make matters worse, Austin finds himself falling for Caldwell's daughter.Sean Connery, as Caldwell, is suitably gruff with Austin and his men yet loving with his daughter. Mark Harmon plays Austin well as the brash young cop who is weary with military protocol despite expecting no less. The pair portray an interesting partnership that is contentious, at times, yet there is genuine affection there with Caldwell being almost paternalistic on occasion.The story is solid enough, keep viewers involved and throwing up well-depicted characters as well as reflecting upon the differences between the military and civilian police force. There is also plenty of action to keep things going. Fans of 'NCIS' would certainly enjoy this, if only to see Mark Harmon playing the less experienced, boisterous 'DiNozzo' character in Austin (a stark comparison to the stern Gibbs of the TV show, who may well have been modelled a bit on Caldwell!). A well-made buddy flick with a difference.

Detective Jay Austin (Mark Harmon) was sure that somebody wanted something badly from the storeroom that night… So he broke in and killed his friend, an MP, Patti Jean Lynch (Jeanette Goldstein) during her routine patrol… Austin used to be an MP under Lt. Colonel Caldwell's (Sean Connery) command… He thought he could use the Colonel's help avoiding other channels… His instinct tells him that the bullet belongs to someone on the base… What we get here is an investigation involving both the Army and the San Francisco Police Department… Now, while Caldwell considers Austin a man who has no respect for women and he'll use his daughter (whom he loves too much) to get at him… his friend, Sgt. Maj. Ross Maclure (Jack Warden) knows that Donna is not a little girl anymore, and that her father doesn't want her to grow up… As a woman in love, Donna (Meg Ryan) knows that her father and Austin don't like each other… So she decides to find out about Austin, and about that incident in the Presidio, where the female MP that was shot to death was with Austin when he busted Colonel Paul Lawrence (Dana Gladstone)… The investigation takes a turn when Caldwell knew that Arthur Peale (Mark Blum)—a former province adviser to the CIA in Vietnam—owns the Black Mountain Water Company… Slowly, he begins to perceive that there's a piece missing, something worth killing for… The film carries two car chases in the streets of San Francisco, a good fight in a bar, and a climactic shoot-out in a water bottling plant

A Military Policeman investigating what looked like a break-in at the Officer's Club at the Presidio in San Francisco is shot down. The same man also shoots an SFPD officer while fleeing the first crime. This makes the whole thing a dual jurisdiction between the Army and the local law enforcement.Hard enough normally, but in this situation you have a detective played by Mark Harmon who's a former MP who has a bad history with Sean Connery the provost marshal in charge at the Presidio. Though they hate each other's guts they of necessity have to work together.Sean Connery is one of those players who just being in a film elevates in class. Without him in the thing this would be just a routine police yarn, might have been good enough for a made for TV film and nothing more. Another conflict in the film is Connery with daughter Meg Ryan who takes an interest in Harmon at first to spite dad, but then finds herself falling for him.Acting honors in this film go to Jack Warden the retired sergeant major who won a Congressional Medal of Honor saving Connery's life in Vietnam. Warden and Connery keep you interested in the film, in finding out just why the MP and the SFPD officer had to die. Without them, I doubt anyone would care.