Firepower

Jerry Fanon (James Coburn) is a nice mercenary....sort of a James Bond up for hire. The US government hires him to locate and bring a mob boss, Stegner, back to pay for his crimes. But Stegner is in the Caribbean and extraditing him isn't possible. So, with his buddy, Catlett (O. J. Simpson), the pair make their way to there. However, almost no one knows WHAT Stegner looks like and Fanon wants to kill two stones...to capture Stegner AND to bring back a mob widow (Sophia Loren) who appears to be a prisoner of Stegner and his goons.

In some ways, this plays like a James Bond film but with LOTS more explosions and killing. Realistic? No way...but nice mindless adventure...especially the steam shovel bit. My only complaint is there the end...when all sorts of vehicles blow up and WHY is never explained. Why would one of the baddies keep blowing up cars with his goons inside. This really made no sense and it's almost like a piece of the story is missing....the WHY.

Director/Writer Michael Winner (best known for the "Death Wish" Series) is in Full-Throttle Mode in this Picturesque Satirical Blood-Bath.

Watch for a Boat-Scene where James Coburn is Literally Soaking a Bad-Guy with the Red-Stuff to Attract Sharks and Extract Information.

Roger Moore Bond Movies Take-Off that is an Enjoyable Grotesque.

A Sleek Presentation, the Best that Money Can Buy, Colorful and Calamitous, Colliding Confusion that is One Jaw-Dropping Scene After Another.

A Good-Looking Example of Sophomoric Bloat that Hollywood Churns-Out Routinely because it Sells.

A Fun Name-Cast and an Over-the-Top Crowd-Pleasing Picture that Wraps Up the 70's "Nicely" with an Explanation Point that Says "Having Fun Yet".

One of the Unintended Ironies is Watching O. J. Simpson Joking About Murder and this Joyful Guilty-Pleasure Never Stops.

Sophia Loren, James Coburn, O. J. Simpson, Eli Wallach, Anthony Franciosa, George Grizzard, and Vinnie Gardina all Think this is a Hoot.

And it is...

Worth a Watch.

A truly epic cast of Hollywood heavyweights descend upon the idyllic backdrop of St Lucia, in a meandering action-thriller concerning a widow (Loren) who hires reputable mercenary Coburn to search for those responsible for her husband's assassination.

A galaxy of mega-stars blur the lines between allies and enemies, the intricate plot twists hatch an array of ruses, red herrings and cross and double cross subplots with which it's sometimes difficult to keep pace. Apparent continuity errors don't help the situation, but the undeniable charisma of the cast is hard not to like. OJ and Coburn make a watchable pairing, whilst bona fide stars Wallach and Mature are largely confined to bit parts, or in Mature's case, a solitary cameo lasting little more than 30 seconds. Bad guys Franciosa and Grizzard are potentially the highlights in the deep and diverse international cast.

Winner's trademark quick cuts, comic-book characters, pyrotechnics and opulent set design allied with Lord Grade's penchant for big names and lavish locations, create a colourful 70s aesthetic which admittedly is pure hokum, and yet never dull nor tedious.

I had put off watching "Firepower" from 1979 as I had low expectations for it, but it was actually pretty good. The cinematography and settings are very nice with an attractive cast and soundtrack. And there are many real explosions illustrating the firepower of the title. One of the better outings for James Coburn too, this is really his movie. The plot is a little complicated and silly though if analyzed deeply, but just watch for an entertaining ride. My rating 7/10. It was nice to find this rare film available on streaming, and it did not feel too dated for its age. It makes me wish I was traveling through the Caribbean, but watching this is the next best thing.

Director Michael Winner was a very consistent director. His movies were almost always bad. Winner had a lazy style that always bothered me. He just seems to place his camera with very little thought. Getting good performances form his usually strong cast doesn't seem to concern him either. Winner's "Firepower" checks all of those boxes. "Firepower" has a good cast but it's none of their finest hours. The standout being a dreamy Sophia Loren. Loren has seldom looked better. The action is well staged, for the most part, but it's also boring. The tropical locations are nice and I'm sure the cast had a great time at whatever resort they were staying at. As far as "Firepower" goes, it's a borderline camp classic.