Universal Fighter

Jeff Speakman plays a campaign manager for would-be senator William Shatner who finds out that Shatner wants to take over America with the help of militias. This is a lesser PM Entertainment film that concentrates on being a kindler, gentle action film. With the inclusion of a wife and kid amidst all the on-the-run action, it's obvious that this film is pandering to many varying demographics. It slows down the pace and adds only bad melodrama.

Even the action scenes aren't as good as some other PM releases. William Shatner isn't even allowed to ham it up. It's not bad, but, it ain't good.

Any of the movies from the company "PM" are usually gonna be pretty bad. PM uses the same actors quite frequently, especially Dennis Hopper and Michael Madsen. I was surprised to see Bill Shatner show up. The most ridiculous part of the movie to me is the climactic fight between Jennings (Jeff Speakman) and Shatner's character Aiden Carvell (however it is spelled, who cares!!). Speakman at the time was only 38 or 39 years old and is a martial arts expert. He is supposed to have a hand to hand fight with portly, aging, senior citizen Shatner. Come on! Shatner only got one good lick on Speakman anyway in the fight. Plus, he was another example of the kind of bad guy who talks instead of just killing the hero when he has the chance. He walks up to Speakman with a gun and says "It's over!" Just shoot him! Speakman then kicks Shatner's ass while he is badly injured (Speakman).

Bad movie but I bought it cheap on DVD and watch it frequently if I am bored just alone because the climactic fight is so hilarious! Why do they have all these former TV stars in this movie by the way? Bernie "Doc" Kopell from "The Love Boat" shows up. Charles Robinson from "Night Court" plays a bad guy and of course William Shatner of "Star Trek" plays the bad guy ringleader.

The parallels in this film to the modern-day political scene is amazing.. The film is average but almost predicts the future 20 years away... Shatner is great as a corrupt lying right wing trumpian character trying to take over the country.. it's a early '80s karate fest in 1998.

Well, nothing original here in terms of plot. Action? Yes, plenty! If there is anything to talk about this film, it's due to the endless action that happens through out the film, whether is be between cars, people, or both. I was highly surprised by how well the stunts were performed and even the fighting sequences. Although my comment is on the good work the stunt people have done for this film, the fact is that ever car winds up being launched in to the air.

I was impressed that most cars didn't blow up for just being in an accident - something Hollywood does far too often. The ultimate for me was the school bus car chase, lots of damage. Not only did this bus ram innocent people, it even rolls over a few! The bus scene is worth an extra star.

This film ranks well with me for mindless violence. I expected a cheesy movie that I wouldn't be able to watch, but instead, the constant supply of bad guys to kill or cars to destroy makes this actually entertaining to watch.

One element I laughed about was the soundtrack. The composer seemed to mismatch happy, sad, action, and serene music with the entire opposite scene.

The film truly is shot and directed well, sadly what does this film harm is the lack of believability in the story. The film has constant car accidents, gunfire, and murder, yet no police ever intercept. I'm sure that you can't steal a bus and run 20 cars off the road without getting at least ONE person calling the cops!

Was this filmed in 1977 or 1997??? I never have seen so many heaps get trashed at one time! And where were the police? Maybe just one siren? They must have been packin' donuts and the fireman were playing checkers at the firehouse. The movies started out good then it turned into where they were chasing this turncoat against William Shatner's movement all around the countryside. I did not expect the movie to go in that direction. Oh well.....