I thought this movie was horrible. Peter from office space as a SWAT member....C'mon. They had no background on the two gunmen. They never clearly showed that both died, just showing the blood. I thought it would be much better than what it was. Also what was up with the first half hour being commercial free than the next half hour riddled with commercials. They had so much information and material to work with. This incident changed the way LAPD operates and just about every other agency as well. They blew it.
I agree that that was a bit unnerving, not because of anything that was Ron Livingston (the actor)'s fault, but just because I expected him to gut a fish in the Police Chief's office or beat the crap out of a fax machine at any second. That part wasn't very well done, you're right. I actually never would've known the Eastern European guy died if they didn't say so, I only saw him get shot in the leg a few times, I figured they took him in. They could've done better but it was still a good flick. Maybe not the groundbreaking epic it could have been, but a good historical action film (a poor man's Black Hawk Down if you will).
Maybe I'm being a bit too critical, but I did expect more from FX. They do a good job with their tv shows. I agree about the Ron Livingston part, it wasn't him as an actor, just not the role he should have been cast for. and yes, I can deal with the poor mans blackhawk down part for a made for TV movie. I just wanted more dammit!!!