Trappola diabolica

The first one was a black comedy starring Reb Brown and Christopher Connelly, and it had numerous scenes that was lifted from RAMBO 2. But now, the sequel is more serious and headlines action star Brent Huff as a commando who is in search of his old old Vietnam buddy Richard Harris (!). Harris, a very masterful actor looks puzzled why he is even in this film (he said once in a interview he retired until they offered him THE FIELD, so this movie must have motivated his retirement!). Harris looks very ill in the film, and suprisingly he is most of the film unlike Mary Starvin who is second bills (Harris is 3rd billed) who seems to have little to do. Not bad action scenes, and even has Harris killing a giant fake bug. Huff is good as usual, but this film steals the ending of RAMBO 2 just like first STRIKE COMMANDO film. The film does looks depressing, and it's kind of sad to see Harris in a Philipeno shot cheap film, and on a role that Bo Svenson to Henry Silva usual does.

Vietnam vet Michael Ransom (Brent Huff) is sent by the US Government into Burma to save his old commander (Richard Harris). He is ordered to pay a ransom (ha!) of $10 million dollars in diamonds. Naturally, he encounters trouble along the way. At first glance this Bruno Mattei flick might merely appear to be a RAMBO clone. But Mattei is no fool as he shamelessly rips off RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK and ROMANCING THE STONE in this one. No joke, Mattei lifts the drinking scene and truck chase nearly frame-by-frame from RAIDERS.

Of course, if you enjoy this type of stuff like I do than you are in for a treat. Brent Huff is no match for Reb Brown in the role of Michael Ransom but he does well enough. And your eyes are not betraying you when you see noted thespian Richard Harris in this as the commander. I guess he wanted to star in something that made ORCA look credible on his resume. Female lead Mary Stavin is quite attractive, especially when she sneaks into the camp in a black wig. For some odd reason, Mattei decided to give this film a soundtrack like THE STING, which only enhances the comedy (the unintentional stuff, not the stuff they want you to laugh at).

A whiskey stream of consciousness review.

What did Richard Harris get paid for this film?!?! He must've needed some fundage to keep up with his notorious hellraising habits. Directed by Bruno "the man of many names other than his own" Mattei. There are actually a few nice shots and sequences spoiled by bad acting, script, and production design.

Love the scene where Ransom picks up Rosanna Boom and tosses her in the truck. Hilarious. Can't get over how much Mary Stavin (Boom) looks like Dolores O'Riordan, the late lead singer of the Cranberries. Brent Huff (Ransom) reminds me of Chris Cuomo. Fake newscaster and fake action star. Ha!

Yes, this film rips off Raiders of the Lost Ark in so many ways. If only they could have gotten a better keyboard player. Still trying to figure out why Ninjas are in Vietnam. There are scenes ripped from Rambo First Blood Part 2 and Predator as well. The movie looks like it was filmed 10 years before Predator, but was released the year after.

The clown keyboard music throughout the film adds to the ridiculousness and is probably the most appropriate style decision made. I'm guessing the choice was dead serious. Not quite the Troll2 of return to Vietnam flicks, it's close. The first Strike Commando is a much better film even though part 2 had the better budget. I'm guessing most of it went into Harris's bottle. If you like baddies, drink up. If you want more action, skip it. Wallowed through with Old Grandad 114.

Take one part Missing In Action and one part Romancing the Stone and mix it with total incompetence in front of and behind the camera and you get this junk. Painfully awful with some of the worst choice in score you'll ever see. They seriously use silent comedy music for action and dramatic scenes. It's almost funny how bad this is, but it never gets so bad it's good. Save 90 minutes of your life and avoid this.

More like a collection of ripped-off scenes (just to name a few of the "sources": "Predator", "Rambo II", "Lethal Weapon") than an actual sequel to "Strike Commando". Not as enjoyable as that film, anyway, but still worthy of two stars, because for those who can enjoy "Strike Commando" this won't be so bad after all. However, the villains are too stupid to be considered a threat and Brent Huff is an actor with all the talent of, say, Lou Ferrigno.