Intro:"The Thief & the Stripper", also known as "Midnight Blue", is a direct-to-video American action comedy film released in 2002. Directed and co-written by L.P. Brown III and Renaud Brown, the film stars some identifiable faces such as Michael Pare, L.P. Brown III, and Traci Lords. The heist-comedy movie follows the story of a group of crooks as they carry out a high-stakes break-in, which plunges them into a world of danger and seduction.
Plot:Johnny (L.P. Brown III) is a small-time crook that lives in Los Angeles with his sweetheart, Bombshell (Traci Lords), who works as a stripper. Johnny, together with his buddy, Burn (Michael Pare), is constantly looking for different methods to make easy money. One night, Johnny comes across a woman called Segunda (Alma Sheik), who notifies him about the upcoming delivery of a substantial sum of money to a successful bar called Malibu's. The cash is being drawn from the illegal gambling facilities owned by the well-known Mr. Blue (Haskell Anderson), an ex-military officer turned gangster.
Seeing a golden opportunity, Johnny, Burn, and their partners choose to execute a break-in and take the so-called "midnight blue" (referring to the money). Along with his accomplices, Johnny prepares the information of the break-in, obtaining weapons, and getting ready for the huge task. The group handles to enter Malibu's camouflaged as workers and begins performing their strategy.
Meanwhile, Bombshell ends up being involved in a series of unsafe occasions while operating at the strip club. She meets Airwick (Rich Tola), a crazy drug-addicted dancer whom she begins dating. However, Airwick has a dark trick that Bombshell is yet to discover, and she discovers herself captured in the crossfire of his bothersome life.
Back at Malibu's club, as the delivery of the "midnight blue" gets here, Johnny and his crew put their plan into action. Using their within knowledge and proficiency in thievery, they successfully intercept the transfer and handle to take the money. Unfortunately, things take a turn for the worse when they are discovered by one of Mr. Blue's henchmen, causing a bloody shootout.
With the taken money in hand, Johnny, Burn, and the rest of the crew attempt to escape from Mr. Blue's wrath and his heavily armed males. The scenario ends up being progressively perilous as they browse the seedy underbelly of Los Angeles, encountering criminals, killers, and corrupt law enforcement officers. On the other hand, Bombshell's life is likewise in threat as Airwick's past reach him, and an unlikely ally comes to her help.
Johnny's crew face relatively insurmountable odds and should use their wits and large determination to endure their opponents' onslaughts. The stakes are raised even higher when they find out that a corrupt police (Tony Todd) has actually intercepted the "midnight blue" cash and is now after them. Johnny finds himself in a race against time, battling various foes, and fighting for his life.
Conclusion:"The Thief & the Stripper" is a hectic action-comedy that amuses with its mix of humor, violence, and seduction. The movie's gritty, dark portrayal of the criminal underworld in Los Angeles provides the perfect background for their high-stakes break-in. Strong efficiencies from L.P. Brown III and Traci Lords, along with a supporting cast that consists of Michael Pare, produces a memorable ensemble of characters. Although not a cinematic masterpiece, "The Thief & the Stripper" is a satisfying watch for fans of action and break-in films.
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