Wanted: Dead or Alive

I watched this movie now for the first time, but it made me feel very familiar. It was like all those action movies that I watched from tv in mid-90's when I was very young. This means two things. It's got the classic b-movie cheese, the style before everything was done with computer effects. But also, I get the irritating feeling that it's "not a very good movie". Even when I was a teenager I sometimes felt this same thing when watching action movies. I liked them but at the same time even as a youngster I sometimes felt a bit stupid, like wasting my time with those movies.

Rutger Hauer is a cool actor and for some reason I haven't ever seen many of his films. But now I started to check them out because fans of cheesy action movies often mention Rutger's name as some sort of cult icon. He does have a certain charm and makes this movie enjoyable.

I was maybe expecting a little bit more action. There are big guns but they are being shot only rarely, and most of the film is like a detective thriller drama. But the action scenes are nicely divided throughout the movie so it doesn't get too boring.

So, I'm not going to take a Rutger Hauer tattoo but I'm probably going to watch a couple more of his movies.

I recently revisited "Wanted Dead Or Alive" after a period of almost 20 years. The film's really stood the test of time and it's a shame there weren't any sequels produced. Rutger Hauer's time as an action hero was short-lived.

The film's low budget roots can't be missed but there are enough strong performances from the cast to carry the movie. Hauer's bachelor loft is the ultimate guy pad and, in my opinion, worth watching the movie for. To say his crib is cool is the understatement of the year.

Gene Simmons delivers the goods as a thoroughly nasty baddie.

Great '80s "B"-movie fun.

After making his mark playing vicious characters in NIGHTHAWKS, THE HITCHER and FLESH + BLOOD, Rutger Hauer plays the hero in a solid action thriller,set in LA. While it is not as slick as the first LETHAL WEAPON movie, it is still quite witty and entertaining. Gene Simmons gives an understated, menacing performance as the terrorist and there's some good action.

The former CIA operative in the Middle East Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) is presently a bounty hunter in Los Angeles. He chases most wanted guys to get the reward and is saving money for repairing a vessel. He intends to retire and travel around the world with his girlfriend Terry (Mel Harris) and his best friend is Detective Danny Quintz (William Russ). After a terrorist attack in a movie theater, Randall is assigned to catch the evil terrorist, Malak Al Rahim (Gene Simmons), who has killed more than 140 persons in his attempt. However, the real intention of his disaffection from CIA, John Lipton (Jerry Hardin), is to use Randall as a bait to catch Malak. Terry and Danny are murdered by one terrorist and Randall discovers that the Malak's agenda is to blow-up a chemical facility and kill thirty thousand persons. But Randall now seeks revenge against Malak.

"Wanted: Dead or Alive" is a B-movie full of clichés, but supported by good actors. Today I have just seen is again (01 May 2013) and the promising beginning unfortunately becomes a totally predictable story. The conclusion is awful, with Randall chasing Malak in a refinery crowded with policemen, detectives and agents and nobody hears the shooting. Anyway this movie entertains. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Exterminador Implacável (on DVD)" ("Implacable Exterminator") or "Procurado Vivo ou Morto" (on VHS) ("Wanted Dead or Alive")

Action all the way, this is Hauer at his best. I first saw this movie about ten years ago, and remembered it only for its final scene; I still remembered the line "**** the bonus!". When watching the film again all these years later, unlike most movies, I actually got more from it than the first time I saw it. For action fans everywhere, put this on your must-see list.