American Cyborg

Me and my shlock buddy Bison Lewis just sat down to check out this turkey; and ended up enjoying the hell outta it!!!

Great villain - a rival to Vernon Welles in Commando (actually, no one can really rival Vernon in hammy villain status!)

Great terrible brilliant and awful, all in one!!

Best feature: the smiling foetus in a jar - the very future of humanity!!!

Rent and Enjoy!

American Cyborg: Steel Warrior is a mostly entertaining affair - not as good as Van Damme's Cyborg (1989), but good enough. So, if you like all those cheesy post-apocalyptic B-trash movies made in the 80s and early 90s, you might dare to give this one some of your precious spare time. American Cyborg: Steel Warrior is certainly not the philosopher's stone or Holy Grail of post-apocalyptic wonderland, but it's fun in that wonderfully delicious cheesy way that this kind of movie provides to the right kind of audience. On the menu are a cyborg killing machine in leather suite, cannibals, freaks, some martial art moves and other pleasures. Recommended if you like movies such as Cyborg, Universal Soldier, Steel Dawn, Stryker, and Hands of Steel, among countless other spicy flicks of those times. Exact rate: 4.5.

Joe Lara stars as a tough martial artist who helps escort the last pregnant woman to Europe, while a cyborg (John Ryan, not John P. Ryan) is close behind in their footsteps. American Cyborg:Steel Warrior (a rather awkward title) actually got a theatrical release (And no I didn't see this in theaters) and well with all things considered it represents the last dying breath from Cannon films. (Who distributed this) Back in the 1980s, Cannon were the ones responsible for such movies as the American Ninja series, Revenge Of The Ninja, Delta Force, Invasion USA, Masters Of The Universe, Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Death Wish 2-4 and Cyborg. I listed this filmography mainly so I can point out that the type of movies that Cannon used to pedal to market. In this regard American Cyborg:Steel Warrior isn't the best or the worst production from Cannon, it is just a low budget rip off of Escape From New York with elements of Cyborg and Hell Comes To Frogtown thrown in for good measure, it really isn't so bad as it is derivative. I mean it's a B.movie, but i'm not sure this deserves a 2.2 rating on IMDb. The movie itself has a couple decent action sequences but mainly it's a rip off and I think fans of B.movies will be the ones who find this enjoyable. The movie is also respectably made with some okay production values and the story (if simplistic) makes sense. Although Lorenzo Lamas rip off, Joe Lara is a liability that the film's competence can't overcome.

* * out of 4-(Fair)

It's a ripoff sure, but who watches a Cannon movie from the 90's called "American Cyborg: Steel Warrior" and expects originality? Gimme a break. Good acting? Good story? Psh. Forget that nonsense. This is a movie about spin kicks, bone breaking, shootouts, and lots of running. The special effects are on par with Nemesis (1992) and as a low budget sci-fi actioner, it doesn't disappoint. It has a fast pace (thank god) and lots of action. Those two things are essential for any low budget flick like this. I hate sitting through a movie with "cyborg" or "warrior" in the title, and it's slow and boring. The filmmakers behind these kinds of movies realized that they had martial artists on their hands and not actors. So they loaded the movies up (most of them) with fighting, and action, and if we're lucky- some female nudity. I don't remember if anyone gets naked in "American Cyborg: Steel Warrior" but I do remember plenty of decently choreographed ass kicking. More than all that, the set design (while nothing over original) is fantastic. They really went all out to create a post apocalyptic world here that's more that just empty wasteland. There are makeshift cities and hideouts here that are visually impressive and alive with color. Lots of rubble, ruins, and neon signs. Just the way I like it. It makes for a perfect backdrop to all the cyborg ass-kicking in the movie. Not to mention the movie has lots of varied sets and villains. I mean, by general standards on IMDb this should be at least a 5.2 Anything less is just unfair. Even Roger Ebert understood that you have to judge a movie based on what it's intended to do, and who it's intended for. As a late-night cable actioner, this movie is supposed to keep you entertained and nothing else. I loved it.

While this film seems to be unpopular on this site, it has several redeeming qualities for the crowd that's into B-action movies. The people who think this movie is hilariously awful or the worst movie ever made need to watch more movies, because there are far worse movies out there with far less effort put into them than this one.

Without giving too much away, I feel I should point out a few things I noticed about this film. For one thing, the plot bears a passing resemblance to Terminator, but goes in directions the first two Terminator movies did not. Second, the music is great, and suits this type of movie perfectly. In fact, the music combined with the overall feel of this film reminded me somewhat of some of the older John Carpenter movies (not that it can't be enjoyed on its own merits). Also noteworthy is that the main characters are relatively likable, which can be a rare thing in B-movies such as this.

In addition, I actually found the cyborg in this movie (John Saint Ryan) to be more intimidating and menacing than Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator. This is likely partially aided by his non-Austrian robotic voice, partially by the sheer acting power of John Saint Ryan (seen in his face, which is left unobstructed through most of the movie), and partially by the occasional robotic glow we see behind his human-like eyes (reminiscent of Westworld, for those who have seen it). In addition, this cyborg, unlike most other movie cyborgs, is self-healing. This aspect of the film allows for multiple gory "deaths" of the cyborg, which is great for gore and action fans alike.

So, on the whole, this movie is fun for those who like B-movies, but naturally it has flaws. However, this is far from the worst movie of this quality and genre, and it is certainly more entertaining and stimulating than many others. For those who like watching obscure, interesting, and possibly cheesy action movies, give this one a watch. For those expecting this to be their next favorite film, you might be disappointed.