REDdog-1

First I'll admit that I liked the first Mangler. In fact I own it. I was really anticipating this movie when I first heard about it when it was suppose to star Malcolm McDowell. Then I really had to see it when McDowell dropped out at the last minute and he was replaced by the great Lance Henriksen. Unfortunately the movie is pretty tame. There is just a bunch of running around and wires being dragged across the floor. How scary is that. I read an article about this movie where the director had the nerve to actually bash the first movie and brag about how much better his movie was and that more sequels were a definate possibility. Its a good premise, but poorly executed. This movie looks amateurish. The only plus is Henriksen's performance. He really looks like he is having a good time and he goes wonderfully over the top in the climax. Fans of the first shouldn't see this, Henriksen fans will be the only ones to find any enjoyment in this. 2.5/10

I love Leslie Neilsen, but the fact is he hasn't been in a good movie since Dracula: Dead and Loving it. Wrongfully Accused had some moments, but Mr. Magoo and Safety Patrol were absolutely unwatchable. This isn't as bad as those movies. You could watch this movie at least and even laugh once in awhile. I will admit the three tenors singing In the Navy at the end was a funny bit, but you have to be under ten to really enjoy this movie. 5/10

After Exit Wounds opened at #1 at the box office I figured Steven Seagal's next film would go to theatres too. Unfortunately Ticker ended up going straight to video just like The Patriot a few years back. But just because it went straight to video doesn't mean it is bad. The opening action scene is poorly put together with some sloppy editing, but it gets better as the movie goes on. Steven Seagal is good. He doesn't do much fighting till the end, but that is the only time it's appropriate. Dennis Hopper plays the bad guy with an Irish accent, but in some scenes he seems to forget to do it. When he does do it he does it well. Tom Sizemore plays a cop on the edge. He does it well, then again he plays all his parts well. Ice-T shows up and plays a similar role to the one he did in 3,000 Miles to Graceland, but it's just a fifteen second walk on part. This is a real entertaining flick. Some flaws that I mentioned above, but really good. It could have gone to theatres. It wasn't as good as Exit Wounds, but it is a solid Steven Seagal flick. Rent it or buy it. It is worth the money. One of the director's best movies too, along with Posmortum and Mean Guns.