The late 1980's were big on cop action thriller/comedies with the "Lethal Weapon" movies in addition to fun spoofs like "The Naked Gun" and "Dragnet." This 1989 film is a classic sleeper comedy: while it has long since been forgotten by most moviegoers, it is still worth viewing for some solid laughs, particularly for those who enjoy the cops & robbers genre.

The plot centers around master criminal Frank Salazar (Corbin Bernsen) who summons a select crew to rural Montana for a nice, out-of-the-way bank job. Just as our bank heist coordinator sends out his invitations, Salazar is nabbed by two dim-witted cops (Ed O'Neill and Daniel Roebuck) who have tracked him down all the way from their native New Jersey.

Salazar soon escapes their custody and spends the rest of the film bumbling his way through the Montana countryside towards freedom. The cops quickly become desperate to find Salazar again unaware that his friends, Max (the late Fred Gywnne) - explosives; Ray (Lou Diamond Phillips) - the getaway driver; Carlos (Ruben Blades) - top-notch thug; and Nick (William Russ) - the safecracker, are already in town. Once they finally realize what Salazar had in mind, the gang's shenanigans are subsequently misinterpreted by the nitwit cops as being Salazar's local one-man crime wave.

Overall, the performances are terrific in two extremes: at one end, there is Ruben Blades who exudes a slick, ruthless persona perfectly believable as a deadly ex-con; and, at the other, there is Ed O'Neill of tv's "Married with Children," with his cartoony 'Al Bundy as a cop' shtick that is equally entertaining. The rest of the ensemble is solid, including a surprising good supporting performance by Corbin Bernsen of tv's "L.A. Law" as the gang's missing ringleader. Veteran character actor-singer Hoyt Axton also adds some credible depth as the small town sheriff who begrudgingly gets dragged into the Salazar manhunt.

Overall, the film rates as a pretty good comedy heist picture, particularly for its unique setting and the wonderful use of the Pacific Northwest as its backdrop. The only problem I had with it is that the script wants you to root for the crooks, which, to me, just seems wrong ... like, for instance, does anyone really want to see the slime ball Salazar actually go free? If there had been a subplot about him intending to double-cross his friends (and they then turn the tables on him), that I could have lived with. Unfortunately, the movie's ending is supposed to leave all the ensemble characters happy, but it struck me as something of, pardon the expression, a cop-out (particularly, since the Montana townspeople should have been allowed some sort of fitting payback against Salazar and his cronies).

You might want to rent the movie first before making your decision whether or not to purchase a copy, particularly if you have kids in the vicinity. The film's `R' rating is due to the script's generous helpings of profanity. If you do purchase "Disorganized Crime," it is mostly a nice little gem of a movie (minus the contrived ending).

Our Rating: B

I have always liked to watch this movie. It is just a fun 'murphy's law' type of movie and everything still works out in the end. A light hearted movie, but I wouldn't watch it with the kids.

I saw this film when I was a kid in the theater. But at the time it really didn't make an impression. When I saw it again in my 20's I loved it. I've seen it several times since and am buying it for a friend as a present. I would recommend it highly as a good comedy. Not too dirty for younger people, almost no violence at all. But a lot of great interaction between the actors. And really, who doesn't want to see more of the the late Hoyt Axton and Fred Gwynne?

I know this movie well. It was filmed real close by my home at the time.

a very entertaining funny movie, the cast works great together in this movie. the bank robbers interaction with each other is hilarious, the cops (i know he is not Al Bundy, but thats all i could picture him as) were equally as funny, and poor frank had me crying with laughter. If you are into comedies this movie is worth watching more than once. I dont ever recall seeing this movie aired on tv or cable tv in recent years, that is why it is a must buy