Burt Reynolds: From Hollywood Legend to 'Rent-a-Cop' and Beyond
Burt Reynolds is a Hollywood legend known for his roles in classic films like "Deliverance" and "Smokey and the Bandit." Despite his success, he also starred in some less-than-stellar movies, such as "Rent-a-Cop," which received a 0% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In this film, Reynolds plays Tony Church, a detective who becomes a security guard after a failed drug bust. When a criminal named Dancer targets a woman named Della, she turns to Church for protection, turning him into a "Rent-a-Cop."
Critics and viewers alike were unimpressed with "Rent-a-Cop," with Roger Ebert describing it as formulaic. Reynolds and co-star Liza Minnelli did receive some praise for their performances, but the overall reception was negative. Both actors were even nominated for Razzies, with Minnelli winning for Worst Actress.
Reynolds later appeared in another 0% rated film, "Universal Soldier II: Brothers in Arms," a made-for-television sequel to the original movie starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Reynolds played Mentor, a CIA deputy director, in a minor role. The film focused on Van Damme's character discovering that his brother is also a super-soldier, but it failed to capture the magic of the original.
Reynolds reprised his role as Mentor in "Universal Soldier III: Unfinished Business," which fared slightly better with a 20% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, the franchise was ultimately rebooted with an official theatrical sequel, "Universal Soldier: The Return," featuring Van Damme and new cast members. Reynolds did not return for this installment, marking the end of his involvement in the franchise.