Der Kampfgigant

Double Target is an Italian war action film directed by Bruno Mattei. It stars Miles O'Keefe, Bo Svenson, Donald Pleasence, Kristine Erlandson, Luciano Pigozzi and Massimo Vanni. It tells the story of Bob Ross, an ex-military specialist in Vietnam who is trying to gain custody of his son from the Vietnamese government after learning his wife died in a concentration camp. Unknown to him, there are others watching who believe he's a spy for the American government. Ross makes a deal with the state department to gather information on their behalf. If Ross is successful in his mission, he'll be able to claim his son and take him back to the United States.

Shot mainly on location in the Philippines, Double Target isn't a very well-conceived war film but an entertaining one nonetheless. As with many films directed by Bruno Mattei, there are plenty of big explosions and gun play to keep things going. The plot and dialog are rather half heartedly conceived. The performances range from average to somewhat okay. What stands out the most is Bo Svenson's Russian accent often switching between a Russian and American one, making difficult to tell whether or not he is one or the other.

The characters aren't really given much of a backstory, the only thing made clear about them is their purpose in the overall plot. Otherwise you don't really get to know much about them. Although the character of Toro is mildly likable. Overall, it's not well thought out but still entertaining.

Slightly more seriously toned and classier film than Mattei's other 1987 RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II knockoff STRIKE COMMANDO, DOUBLE TARGET suffers from a slow pace, bizarre use of footage from other movies, and O'Keeffe's far more subtle approach to the subject matter. Furthermore, Bo Svenson's casting as a Russian bad guy couldn't be much more off-target if he tried... or off-DOUBLE-target for that matter. Svenson doesn't even try a Russian accent and seems to be putting even less effort into his role than Harrison Ford into any movie after 1993.

Perhaps it's just that I came in with expectations rendered ultra-low after having seen STRIKE COMMANDO and ROBOWAR prior to this film, but I was shocked at this film's relative professionalism. The cinematography and musical score both rank a cut above most of Mattei's films from the same period. I have to give special props to Stefano Mainetti, at the time a newcomer to the field of film composing. Some of his tracks for this film feel much more sweeping and orchestral than one would expect for an 80's score accomplished largely on a Casio keyboard. While not exactly Vangelis quality, it gives the film a character of its own.

Furthermore we get a fun supporting cast including Ottaviano Dell'Acqua, Massimo Vanni, Mike Monty, Donald Pleasance (albeit in a completely forgettable cameo), and Luciano Pigozzi. They all look to be having a good time and the lush jungle scenery and exploding hut action ranks among the best of the dubious Italian-Filipino action subgenre. As far as Bruno Mattei schlock knockoff films go, it may be one of the only times he seemed to take himself semi-seriously and with decidedly mixed results. So, if you're like me and go in with low expectations, you may find yourself (Donald) Pleasantly surprised.

The ever dependable Miles O'Keeffe stars in this enjoyable action yarn as a highly decorated soldier who is persuaded to undertake a dangerous reconnaissance mission in Vietnam whilst simultaneously searching for his son there.

There are some commendable action scenes throughout and of course, this being a Bruno Mattei action film, you can count on plenty of BIG and beautiful explosions.

A good assemble of B-movie regulars including Donald Pleasance, Bo Svenson, Ottaviano Dell'Acqua, Luciano Pigozzi, Mike Monty and Massimo Vanni make up the rest of the cast and they all put in fine performances in their respective roles (although Svenson's Russian accent is, shall we say, severely wanting in a number of scenes)

On the down side however, I must say that the promised spectacular climax proves to be anything but with Svenson as the arch villain meeting a most unimpressive end.

Another notably stupid point concerns O'Keefe's son who undergoes such a dramatic change of heart and personality overnight at the end of the film that one would be perfectly justified in assuming he was suffering from some form of schizophrenia! Still, in such a film, any such criticisms are trivial and in the end one has to judge the movie on its merits i.e. on entertainment value.

In this respect, whilst not a classic by any means, Double Target comes across well and certainly delivers the goods for its running time, being a fun flick and one that should certainly appease less discriminating action junkies and B-Movie aficionados in general.

Do you like to watch bad movies? You will love this. Behold thrilling action sequences! Behold Miles O'Keeffe breathtaking acting! The genius behind the camera? Vincent Dawn. A must see film. Thanks, Vincent.

I am not a big fan of Bruno Mattei, in fact I think his films are terrible, but for some reason I still watch them when I find them. This one, like STRIKE COMMANDO followed the plot of RAMBO FIRST BLOOD PART II to the letter. If only it was as well made as the Stallone film then it might be worth watching but alas it is not. The acting is awful, not even genre vets Pleasence, Pigozzi, Monty or Vanni can lift this film. The script doesn't help, in that it is littered with pathetic humour that wouldn't fit in a CARRY ON movie, a good example being when hero O'Keefe races through the Russian / Vietnamese camp on a motorcycle and runs over one of the enemy, one gets stuck on the front of the bike and the heroes throw him off with the cheesy line "no hitchhikers" or something banal like that. Just avoid it at all costs