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Hellbound (1994)

** (out of 4)

Chicago cops Frank Shatter (Chuck Norris) and Calvin Jackson (Calvin Levels) are investigating a bizarre and brutal murder of a Rabbi. Soon they're called to Israel to answer some questions and it becomes clear that they are dealing with some sort of Satanic force.

HELLBOUND turned out to be the final film of The Cannon Group as they'd go bankrupt shortly after. Sadly the film itself really isn't all that memorable and I think the biggest reason is probably budget issues, which is something that hampered a lot of the later day Cannon films. With that said, if you're a fan of the company or star Norris then there are enough decent moments here to make the film worth viewing.

I thought the film actually got off to a pretty good start as there was some nice action and some good laughs to be had. Norris is in fine form and manages to handle the various action scenes just fine. The earlier scenes in Chicago also had him delivering some nice one liners that managed to be quite funny. Norris and Levels have a nice chemistry together and help keep the film moving nicely.

Once things get to Israel everything just comes to a crashing halt. The film really looks very cheap and it just seems like the story ran out of ideas on what to do. More times than not Norris and company are just standing around having conversations and once the action scenes do start they're all rather routine. HELLBOUND certainly isn't going to be remembered for anything other than being the last film from Cannon but fans of the company might get a little entertainment out of it.

Anyone familiar with the 1999 lineup will find this 1993 Chuck Norris outing nothing new. It's a lot like some supernatural thrillers to emerge lately, including (but not limited to) "End of Days," "Stigmata," and "The Omega Code." In fact, it's probably a good thing this film was made before these, or else it probably would have been dismissed as a shameful, low-grade rip off.

The plot involves an odd, vampire-like creature imprisoned by Richard the Lionheart back in the days of olde who has been resurrected, and whose forecoming was fortold. Somehow, it's all tied into the armageddon, and only one person stands in his way of world domination: Good old Chuck Norris, a Texas Ranger with a bad attitude. (is anyone surprised? Just for the record, some of the cast members are from Walker as well)!

Nice settings in Israel, and some pretty good moves from Norris, but the film is pretty much a low-budget, cliched mish-mash that really offers nothing new or exciting to the sub-genre of "action hero kicking the butt of anciet evil in modern times." However, I must say that Neame is affective as the supernatural villain, providing just the right touch of evil without dramatically overplaying the role. Does he make the film worth watching? No, but that probably won't stop Norris fans from taking a look.

** out of ****

HELLBOUND isn't among Chuck Norris's best. If that's what you want, check out CODE OF SILENCE, LONE WOLF McQUADE, or MISSING IN ACTION. HELLBOUND is a pretty typical film from the Cannon team of Golam-Globus, with whom Chuck made many films in the 80s and early 90s. The budget appears to have been pretty low, but they make do with what they have. Chuck (as usual) plays a quiet, fast-striking Chicago cop who winds up battling Satan's servant, Christopher Neame. The story could have used a bit more punch to it, but as it's stands, it's not an incredibly great film. A larger budget and a tighter story would have helped. Definitely a different film for Chuck, dealing with Satan instead of drug dealers, terrorists, or murderers, and will probably only be of interest to those who are fans. Not Chuck's best, but it's decent entertainment for a rainy night.

I love Chuck Norris. He is one of the best action stars of all time and he is known for kicking the crap out of monsters.He ruled in SILENT RAGE, and took no prisoners in THE HERO AND THE TERROR. But now we have him fighting a demon played by Christopher Neame.

Two Chicago police officers are sent to investigate the brutal murder of a rabbi. As the investigation begins, Shatter and Jackson are summoned to Israel for questioning. Upon arrival they realize that they are, in fact, pursuing a supernatural being.

while Hell-bound isn't much of a horror movie, it's perfectly acceptable as action movie with some supernatural thrown in. Norris's action sequences, and the martial-arts work really well here and are flawless. Some audiences who are looking for a pure horror movie might not find it here. But personally i really like this movie and the eventual showdown is enticing, with some great karate kicks that land on the chin of the devil guy Prosatanos. Prosatanos! He may sound like a Greek restaurant, but Prosatanos is indeed a minion of evil who's waited centuries to open the gates of Hell. His powers mainly consist of grabbing people and smashing them in to windows and furniture and the occasional heart rip. Played well over-the-top by the supremely Christopher Neame.

Hell bound isn't particularly trying to be too ambitious, but it does manage to deliver its goods. This is a Chuck Norris flick. It's his End of Days. It's his Exorcist II: The Heretic. It's his Demon Knight ... Why don't you own this yet? This is Chuck Norris fighting evil, what more do we want in life!

Two Chicago cops investigating the brutal murder of a rabbi are asked to head to Israel to answer further questions from the local authorities. There they continue their investigation, despite being told they're just tourists. However they soon learn they might be dealing with something supernatural.

"Hey Frank. I can't deal with this devil sh!t". Maybe for some, or more likely for most; wise words spoken. "Hellbound" is an extra ordinary, if unusual Chuck Norris starring Cannon produced vehicle directed by his brother Aaron Norris, which sees the buddy cop theme morphing together with some conventional horror elements of religious good vs. evil. Sadly I found it lacking, passable entertainment, but so much more could have been done. I just didn't find as fun as it could have been. Sorely it just lacked the action, a couple moments aside (like Norris and Christopher Neame's opening encounter in a seedy hotel room) it was sparse and if anything it was all pedestrian with no sense of imagination to the story or set-pieces. Norris (looking good with his fashionable mullet) seemed a little more flat and moody than usual, while alongside him was Calvin Levels in a whinny, unfunny role as his ever hungry detective partner. "Eat this"! Christopher Neame's would ham it up in the role as the resurrected emissary of Satan. Sometimes really over doing it. Also popping were the delightful Sheree J. Wilson and David Robb as King Richard in a medieval prologue. Director Aaron Norris' handling is workable, but seems to concentrate on the searing supernatural factors and stodgy investigative groundwork than the action in this hybrid, delivering cheap shocks of gore, dreary atmospherics and sweaty tension. The location work makes good use of the Israel backdrop, even though the set-designs look second rate.

Ultra-silly, but not as exciting action-horror fare.

"This is only the beginning."