Piège sous le soleil

Ah, yes, Sunstorm. A movie that I remember seeing on listings on Showtime and recorded them through DVR but deleted it many times to make more room but still recorded it and tried to find time to watch it but then I deleted it again. And then one day, I was at a flea market and came across a section that had movies that were obviously from a Hollywood Video location that had closed not too long before it. I remember coming across a DVD of this at the flea market and bought it along with other movies. Even for a dollar, that was a waste.

I will be honest. I have a strange thing for B-movies. I sometimes believe that there are B-movies out there that despite being low budget and bad in quality, they can still be rather entertaining. Such was not the case with this movie. I remember seeing on the listing that it was like "Charlie's Angels" which I am not opposed to. I enjoy looking at hot women as much as the next guy and there are movies out there that have hot women and action and still provide entertainment. One example is "DOA: Dead or Alive." However, this movie was so bad that I really wonder how Bo Derek and Stacy Keach got roles in this movie. Were they really hurting for money that they found whatever they can find? I don't know if Stacy Keach really needed it around the time this movie was made because this wasn't too far off from "American History X," which he did really well in. The quality of the acting and the action sequences were so bad that I felt like turning it off at some point but knowing myself, I felt like I needed to see how it ended and I regretted that action in hindsight.

All I can say is that no matter how hot the women are, it doesn't always mean that the movie will be entertaining. I still cringe at the "Miami Vice" line in the movie. *SHUDDER* So badly delivered.

I thought that seeing Bo Derek was worth the price of admission alone,, doesn't anyone think she's still hot after all of these years. Stacey Keach,, aka Mike Hammer..also is in this but not that long,, more like an extended cameo . apparently he has 4 or 5 daughters,, and they must try to find some money that was supposed to be destroyed some 30 years ago during the Nixon Administration but never was, instead it was hidden,, well our general did do what he was supposed to do so now it's game on to try and find all of that money,, and the printing plates to make the whole thing legitimate. this movie does have decent action,, not a bad story,, some of the acting isn't really great. but you got a lot of nice scenery from Haiti, and other outlying island,, a fairly average "b" thriller.

This film begins with an FBI agent named "Detective Frank Danials" (Ray Raglin) being sent to Puerto Rico to investigate the theft of approximately $2 billion from the U.S. Treasury by two former Army officers by the names of "General John Parker" (Stacy Keach) and "Harry Sherman" (Kurt Andon). However, the FBI isn't the only party interested in the location of this money as a wealthy and influential criminal figure named "Victoria Warren" (Bo Derek) has also decided to make certain inquiries as well. To that end she sends a man by the name of "Packard Walsh" (Michael Manasseri) to Puerto Rico to gather as much information as he can. Packard, on the other hand, has other ideas and assassinates both General Parker and Harry before either can divulge where they have hidden the money. This results in both Packard and the FBI now directing their efforts at the daughters of General Parker in the expectation that one of them will lead them directly to the money. What none of them count on is the former bodyguard of General Parker named "Dave Kellog" (William Haze) and his assistant "Liana Kincaid" (Margaret Scarborough) remaining loyal to him and subsequently protecting his daughters in spite of everything. Not only that but nobody fully appreciates the capability and resources Victoria has at her disposal either. Now rather than reveal any more I will just say that this film had potential but the acting and direction was totally inadequate for the task at hand. For example, neither Stacy Keach nor Bo Derek were used in accordance with their talents. Additionally, the southern accent used by Michael Manasseri was extremely annoying and never should have even been contemplated. Likewise, the character development-especially on the part of General Parker's daughters-was woefully inadequate as well. Admittedly, there were several attractive actresses like Monica Soares (as "China Sue") along with the aforementioned Bo Derek and Margaret Scarborough to compliment the beautiful tropic scenery. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to salvage what could have been a decent film and I have rated it accordingly. Below average.

Because of the sun in the title? No, you don't approve of the pun? Ok I admit, I had better ones. But once in a while you got to have not so good ones, to appreciate the good ones. You feel like I am talking about this movie through a pun/comparison kind of thing? Who am I to disagree? Ok this is more of a rhetorical thing.

The movie however feels like it was made in the 80s. It does have that vibe to it. And some would say stars from back in the day. Well actors who made a dent back then. Yes I am talking about Bo Derek. I am easily pleased most of the time when it comes to movies and I may have rated this too good for most peoples perception. I have to live with that. And with watching b-movies like this one right here regularly too.

"Sunstorm" is one of those junk flicks like "Maui Heat" which have some lame action/drama as an excuse to get a bunch of T&A in front of the viewer for pure titillation. However, in this bottom-of-the-barrel film, Marvin, Eisenman, and crew have substituted Keach and Derek for titillators in an apparent attempt to bring credibility to what is just another lousy flick. In spite of a beautiful Puerto Rican backdrop and a bunch of babes, "Sunstorm" is a messy slapped together B flick loser with no reason for existing save a pay check for cast and crew. Pass on this turkey. (D)