Hard-R, over-the-top, hilariously absurd action movie with a political paranoia bent. This film gives us a this-could-happen doomsday scenario from the era of the Cold War. Maniacal Communist terrorists, led by poker-paced psychopath Rostov (Richard Lynch) land on American soil, just annihilating everybody in their
path. But there is one man, and one man alone, who can save the day..."retired" secret agent Matt Hunter (Chuck Norris).
Chuck gives one of his more stone-faced portrayals, but the character himself is one of his more sullen and ruthless. I'll say that much - these two adversaries deserve each other, although the final confrontation is a long time coming.
I have to give credit where credit is due: the film-makers, led by director Joseph Zito, let us know up front we're in for a heck of a ride. They gleefully toss credibility out the window, and, just for good measure, dispense with any level of political correctness. The movie is rough, tough, and rousing (although it takes about half the film for things to really kick into gear), aided in no small part by a stirring music score by the talented Jay Chattaway.
Sequences ranging from funny to just plain insane involve a) the messy dispatch of a sleazy drug dealer (Billy Drago) and a hooker, b) a loud and noisy assault on a suburban neighborhood, and c) a major shootout in a shopping mall. This film truly throws in everything (including the kitchen sink) for the sake of an entertaining show.
Co-starring Melissa Prophet (whose gutsy, obnoxious, pushy reporter is more of an annoyance than anything else), Alexander Zale, Alex Colon, Eddie Jones, and Dehl Berti. Co-written by Chuck himself and James Bruner, based on a story by Bruner and Chuck's brother (and frequent collaborator) Aaron.
My final parting words are just this: of the assembly line of Cannon Films action pictures and thrillers to come out of the 1980's, this has to rank up there as one of the most potent guilty pleasures that they made. Period.
July 12, 2007
