Scott Roper (Eddie Murphy) is a fast-talking, wisecracking hostage negotiator whose unorthodox but winning ways make him the San Francisco Police Department’s top arbitrator. Taking on a new partner is never easy. Rookie SWAT team sharpshooter Kevin McCall (Michael Rapaport) joins up with Metro Division’s top negotiator to learn just what it takes to get the job done.

Ruthless, psychotic killer Michael Korda (Michael Wincott) turns the town upside-down in a lethal game of cat and mouse. One man, armed with only his wit, his intelligence, and a .45 caliber, can bring the killer down.