MovieChat Forums > Cloak & Dagger (1984) Discussion > the ending...

the ending...

posted 20 years ago by vlvetmorning98
6 replies | jump to latest

has the absolute worst use of front screen projection since the ski chase scene from ON HER MAJESTY'S SECRET SERVICE. Totally ruins a heartfelt, genuine moment

[–] sirmildredpierce 19 years ago

On the contrary, I think it gives it an other-worldy quality that reveals the truth of what is going on. His dad is really dead and the "heartfelt moment" is only in his mind. His dad has now replaced Jack Flack in his mind as the invincible super spy killer which is why when coming out of shadow he transforms from an outline of Jack Flack to his dad before his very eyes. It's actually a pretty disturbing scene.

[–] aristotle500 19 years ago

It almost seems as if the scene was shot as an afterthought or in a hurry, and the poor use of back projection (and the dubbing of the line 'I don't need him anymore I've got you Dad') suggests that they rushed this bit and didn't place much thought into it in the end.

[–] Devans00 17 years ago

Whoa! I didn't know we were supposed to think the father died.

Anyway, I chalked up the goofy ending to mid 1980s special effects. FX weren't always as whizzy as they are today.

>O Stands For Osom (awesome) ~ New York<

[–] Cliffotchka! 17 years ago

Correct.

I just watched the film for the first time in 20 years. As a kid, I always thought the end was a bit ambiguous because of the dubious escape of the father from the exploding place, but after watching it again, it is perfectly clear that the father escaped and the ending is indeed a happy one.

Evidence:
1. The father is sooty and messed up as though just narrowly escaped an explosion. Had his escape been a fantasy, he would have like come out of it unscathed as Jack Flack always was (until his "death").
2. The last line of the movie is Danny saying something like "who needs Jack Flack now that I have you?" which indicates that Danny really has his father now who is indeed a true hero whom he always wanted.
3. The window Danny escaped from was large enough for his dad to get his shoulders thought, so escape was physically possible for the father as well. The film does not show the escape for suspense.

[–] ender342 9 years ago

I thought the escape from the huge explosion was a bit unlikely. But then I never realized that Dad and Jack Flack were the same person. Not until I saw the cast list ;-)

[–] jimjamjames 15 years ago

hahahha yeah that was pretty poor. the awkward slow motion was the icing on the cake.