Remo - Unbewaffnet Und Gefaehrlich

Hello From Here - When you consider that this movie was released in 1985 it still delivers a solid watching experience in 2022. It's surprising how well it holds up and how much entertainment it still gives so many years on!

This is a typical 80s action setup, yes it's a bit clunky in places, yes times and attitudes have changed but what you get is an exciting fun adventure with acting and storyline that still keeps you glued to the screen. With its simple story, gritty feel and characters that are light in depth but still relatable, the well acted and slightly camp fun feel all adds up to an action movie that's definitely worth your time.

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.

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.

This is an excellent movie that blurs the line between action/adventure and comedy in the tradition of Big Trouble in Little China. The one-liners from Remo (Fred Ward) Chiun (Joel Grey) and Mr. Smith (Wilford Brimley) are reason enough to see this movie. Some people complained that the martial arts abilities are too unbelievable. However, if you enjoy "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", any James Bond movie, or just about any martial arts movie coming out of Asia, you should have no problem with Remo Williams. The music to the movie is also surprisingly well done. I wholeheartedly recommend this movie to anyone with a trace of humor in their soul. You will not be disappointed.

This movie inspires different reactions from people, depending on the expectations they bring to their first viewing. It's a semi-serious, semi-spoof Action/Comedy/Crime/Thriller/Martial Arts movie that doesn't fit neatly into any category. It is tremendously entertaining, as long as you aren't expecting something totally serious or totally comical. This movie is often misunderstood, and that, coupled with its somewhat-lower-than-average-budget look, may explain why there was no sequel to the movie, which was subtitled in the US "The Adventure Begins." It wasn't quite big-budget enough to satisfy people wanting to see a competitor for James Bond, and it wasn't quite like any other movie enough for people to "get it" right off. Taken at face value as an action movie, therefore, Remo Williams isn't all that noteworthy. However, viewed as an entertaining mixture of action and fun, the movie delivers quite well.

Fred Ward does a fine job as Remo, especially in his scenes with Chiun, his Shinanju master played fantastically by Joel Grey. Some have argued that Ward was too old for the role, which would be debatable even if this were a straight-out action movie; given its true nature, Ward was an excellent choice, and the dynamic between him and Grey makes for some of the most entertaining sequences in the movie.

Joel Grey's Asian "sensei" character stereotype can be forgiven in the context of the semi-spoof, tongue-in-cheek nature of the movie. Chiun's humor shines through his sarcastic commentary about America and Remo; the success of the humor relies on the Korean Shinanju master's strength and ability. Chiun is the most powerful, competent, intelligent, and witty character in the movie. There is also the pleasant story line of Chiun passing on to Remo the legacy of his Shinanju wisdom and knowledge... and wit.

People have also criticized Kate Mulgrew (Star Trek: Voyager) for her performance of Major Rayner Fleming. Overall, her performance is very good, and appropriate for the character, especially before her character meets Remo at Mount Promise. I am still somewhat disappointed, however, to see Major Fleming change from a competent military career-woman into a bewildered character smitten by Remo and Chiun and carried along in their wake. In the role of the army major, Fleming is competent, witty, and believable: an appropriate portrayal of a mid-1980's woman military officer. The directors could have let the character carry that competence through to the end of the movie.

The movie does have some great action sequences, especially the chase around the scaffolding surrounding the Statue of Liberty (remember when they were remodeling it, back in the 80's?), and it is very funny in many places. (See the "memorable quotes" page.) If you watch the movie expecting to have fun and to be entertained, if you suspend your disbelief just a little and don't take it too seriously, you will really enjoy it. It has just enough action, just enough "buddy movie" dynamic, just enough tongue-in-cheek humor, just enough spoof, just enough comic-book type fantasy elements, and just enough enigmatic and amusing martial arts to make it terrifically entertaining. Watch it with your friends on a lazy Saturday afternoon, have some laughs, and be entertained. You'll be glad you did.