Remo - Unbewaffnet Und Gefaehrlich

This is a good movie...about a cop, who is recruited to be part of this secret agency. He is basically recruited there against his will, as he is given a new face and even a new name. It is funny how he gets the name Remo Williams; a lot of thought was put into it. Most of this movie is the training that Remo (play excellently by Fred Ward) must go through to become the agent. His teacher is an old Korean played by Joel Grey who is great in the role. It is funny watching this two do their roles cause they are great and have a very good chemistry on the screen. Most of the action takes place near the end, as Remo has to investigate this guy whom sales weapons and stuff to the military. Great conclusion to this one as there is some good action scenes. Too bad there was never a sequel to this one cause it was a fun movie to watch.

I can't believe that I just got around to reviewing Remo Williams. This is again one of those movies that I have been watching forever and this movie deserves repeated viewing. It is a typical corny 80's action flick and it is not mind-blowing in terms of action or special effects but it is a great ride all the same. Fred Ward turns in a great performance as Remo. I've always liked Fred Ward and he's a good underrated character actor. The supporting cast mainly just fills in the blanks but they are all competent actors. The soundtrack sets just the right mood and Joel Grey deserves special praise in the portrayal of Chiun. Chiun is the greatest and toughest character ever to be in any movie ever and Chiun could kick anyone's ass. Since Grey is white and Chiun is a stock Asian character if there ever was one it may bother some people, but I would tell those people just to get over themselves and enjoy the movie. The interplay between Remo and Chiun is funny and they have great chemistry. Bottom Line: This movie rules. I would go ahead and tell you to buy it on DVD but the powers that be have only made it available in full screen so what's the point of even having it on DVD. Damn them. Damn them to hell. Anyways, enjoy.

This is one of the most underrated action films ever. Despite, this the movie has some fine cracking dialog. I know some people will be turned off by an occidental actor playing a Korean, and a some of the dialog between Remo and Chuin are exchanges of insults, but Grey and Ward seem to be enjoying the verbal repartee of their characters. Even Remo's exchange with the horn blower and traffic cop are good, as is one exchange between Rayner and Chuin. It also has the alway good Wilford Brimley and the overlooked performance of Charles Chioffi as George Groves. Chioffi manges to put some genuine menace into a character into what could have been simply another hackneyed villain in an expensive suit.

Look all you movie snobs out there. This is a classic 80's action flick and nothing more. Sure there were some effects, but that is not the focus of the story. It is the interplay between Remo and Chuin that makes this one shine. It has classic and memorable lines. And, it was good enough for major plot points to be stolen later by the writers of the Matrix and Men in Black. If you want better action sequences, see those. If you want to see 80's action in all of its glory, get this one. One last point: It is sad that the DVD doesn't have a Widescreen option.

So what if the the total package is not up to blockbuster standards. We need these types of film to go and have a great afternoon at the movies where you don't have to think and you can eat a lot of popcorn. I dug the hell out of this movie because it didn't take itself too seriously. It looks like they had a fun time making it and God bless em' for it! You started to get a little idea of the outrageousness of it all when Chiun begins talking about all the other great martial arts as mere shadows compared with his fighting style. And then there's the water-walking or running toward the end of the film. And the super secret organization (with only 3 members!) answering only to the President. What a hoot! But every time I see it on the tube, I'm right there watching it if I can.