‘Wolverine’ Never Lets Go Of The Action
A FOX action-thriller starring Antonio Sabato Jr. may sound like cheap thrills to some and a waste of time to others.
Don’t be so quick to judge “Code Name: Wolverine” at 8. The fast-paced actioner never misses a beat.
Exotic locations and a spunky performance by co-star Traci Lind (“The Road to Wellville”) make it an above-average TV movie.
Sabato plays retired Navy SEAL Harry Gordini, who innocently becomes tangled in an international drug cartel. True, the accidentally switched baggage plot is a cliche. But it’s a minor device that need not be a distraction.
Vacationing with his family in Italy, Gordini wants no part of the drug operation and quickly hands over a drug-filled suitcase to the U.S. embassy.
Not so fast. The drug thugs want their shipment back, so they kidnap Gordini’s young son (Matthew Cox) and hold him for ransom.
The former SEAL and his wife (whose resume, it turns out, includes some useful job experience) devise a daring plan to save their son.
Sabato is smooth as silk, a disarmingly handsome actor who is perfect as the quiet hero. He makes “Wolverine” more than it would be in lesser hands.
Highlights
“Promised Land,” CBS at 8: The family is suspicious when Hattie (Celeste Holm) is courted by a smooth-talking older gentleman (Steve Forrest). Also, Russell (Gerald McRaney) runs into a band of con artists when he goes shopping for a new trailer.
“Mad About You,” NBC at 8: Oscar-winner Mel Brooks is Paul’s (Paul Reiser) uncle and the inspiration of his latest film in this laugh-filled repeat from September.
“Gone in a Heartbeat” (1996), CBS at 9: Real-life husband and wife Michael Tucker and Jill Eikenberry (“L.A. Law”) star in this unavailable-for-review thriller.
Eikenberry plays a kidnap victim, who her teenage abductors bury alive for safekeeping. Tucker is her husband, who is frustrated by conflicts between state and local police. (TV grids were prepared before listing changed.)
“Caroline in the City,” NBC at 9:30: Valerie Mahaffey has a wonderful way of crafting daffy characters. In this guest shot she plays a pet therapist that Caroline (Lea Thompson) turns to when her cat Salty starts acting strangely. Meanwhile, Caroline contacts Richard’s (Malcolm Gets) old elementary teacher (guest-star Renee Taylor) to get to the bottom of his fear of animals.
“NYPD Blue,” ABC at 10: Simone and Sipowicz (Jimmy Smits, Dennis Franz) investigate the sexual assault of a mentally slow schoolgirl who was allegedly attacked by her classmates. At the same time, Sipowicz tries to help a mentally disturbed man (Raphael Sbarge) who has trouble communicating his problem.
Parents’ Picks
“Weinerville Chanukah,” NIK at 6: This show delights kids with its absurd and farcical view of the world.
How’s this for fun? Potato pancake-shaped space aliens are ruled over by an evil, Pharoahlike ruler.
Mark Weiner’s puppets are always a blast.
“The Rescuers Down Under” (1990), TBS at 5:05: Ordinarily you’d have to be a Disney Channel subscriber to enjoy this action-packed animated feature. Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor and George C. Scott provide the voices in the exciting tale of an Australian boy who falls into the hands of a ruthless poacher.
Cable Calls
“Women and Sports: Pass the Torch,” TNT at 8: Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know that women’s athletics has taken off like a rocket in the past decade. Turner gets in step by broadcasting this year’s Women’s Sports Foundation awards.
“Riders Radio Theater Christmas Special,” TNN at 5 and 11: The nutty singing cowboys deck the stalls with bells of laughter. Guests are Kathy Mattea and Little Jimmy Dickens. Repeat.