Operation Delta Force

When I first saw this on video I thought what a pile of poo but why the hell did I enjoy it??

The thing is when a film is called "Operation Delta Force" you don't go into it thinking that you are going to see the finest display of realistic military action film making. You go for a fun 90 minutes where you can leave the world outside your living room.

Obviously when the film came out there was a shortage of bad guys so who better than the local population of where the film was shot - Bad South Africans! At least this explains the accents of supporting cast, unlike other worthier fare that lensed in SA (eg: Bravo Two Zero)

In fact I loved hearing Africaans in a film as it really lends itself to villains. I never was a fan of Jeff Fahey and at least he doesn't detract from this film but I never wondered why Joe Lara didn't get a chance to do at least one good film. Okay apart from the rubbish Seagal ponytail he has a good look and I guess... Oh who cares man this film is fun - why am I analysing a film that is formed around a B-Movie Special Forces formula (see my review of Operation Delta Force IV: Deep Fault)

I love this film for all it's B-list cast and terrible continuity - for it's absurd action scenes (anyone that doesn't realise that a film where a group of men run at a concrete machine-gun emplacement and don't die but actually destroy it, isn't to be taken seriously is lacking a fun gland).

See it when you've had a hard day doing something important - my dad and I did and we loved it - A Proper B-Movie!!!.

Why why why do people decry films like this, ok it`s not a good film, but it`s a lot better than some films made in the 90's, Jeff Fahey is good as the leader of the Delta Force, Joe Lara is ok as the 'baddie' and it`s nice to see Hal Holbrook doing his stuff.

If you want some escapisum this is ok and it`s no worse then any of the TV series 'The A Team'...give it a try, the story line is not to bad either...come on it is a 'B' grade movie but live and let live...

6/10

Ernie Hudson, Jeff Fahey,Frank Zagarino and Joe Lara star in this derivative actioner which finds a delta force team who goes after a terrorist group who captured a deadly virus who they plan to launch on their enemies. Despite having a seasoned cast of Action vets, Operation Delta Force is one big loser. For instance the usually lively Jeff Fahey is very wooden as the good action star, while Lorenzo Lamas wannabe Joe Lara overacts and doesn't convince for one second. Worst of all is Ernie Hudson who has been in everything and basically he gives a performance of little interest. Ironically enough the most life comes from Zagarino. Operation Delta Force is a terrible movie that makes the middling Delta Force movies with Chuck Norris seem like The Dirty Dozen. Skip it.

* out of 4-(Bad)

I think this would have been a decent low budget actioner had it not been for the dull, funeral dirgelike score. Hardly a moment in the film goes by without the same tune droning leadenly in the background. The film had the elements of a good story and some lively action but I was totally distracted by the constant droning in the background. A good score comes in to add mood and tension where needed and should be silent when the film's action or dialog is needs no enhancement. Evidently the producers thought it needed enhancement constantly but the horrible music merely ruined the mood and action for me.

Bear in mind that I haven't seen this film since it first came out on Channel 5 about a year ago.

This film has one of the most stupid scenes I've ever seen in a film of its type. The bit where they are dropped off by helicopter to the bottom of that railway bridge, and then climb up the bridge supports to the top. WHY????? WHY NOT JUST GET THE HELI TO DROP YOU OFF AT THE TOP???

Anyway, apart from that little annoyance, which actually adds a little humour to the film (from our point of view), this film is utterly cr*p. Simple as that.

It's plain to see that the writers/directors didn't do any homework on spec ops. Our highly trained heroes stand out in the open, shoot from the hip at targets 200 metres away and get them every time, while the enemy couldn't hit the Titanic from 2m away. This is brainless, team-based Rambo action.

I personally wouldn't waste my time even rating this film, except that now I'm here, I might as well. Can the rating system take negative numbers???