Never Say Die

I have to admit, I only say about 20 minutes of this straight-to-video "movie", and it was on a Spanish speaking station, so I couldn't understand any of the dialog, but from what I saw, I liked for some strange reason. I guess it was the bizarre imagery of the freaky cult ceremony and the pumped up poor man's Van Damn! that made me watch. It was so bad in funny way, with the evil cult leader making funny faces and the clueless military leader stumbling into the cult and getting killed. The hairstyles were hilarious mullets for the men and frizzy-crimped for the women. This movie had an 80's feel even though it was released in 1995! I would love to see it in its entirety and laugh my butt off!

This movie is the kind of movie I would really enjoy if I were 8-9 years old. Since I'm not, this dumb movie about a Death Cult, it's evil, psychopathic leader(Billy Drago, an yes, he does use his favorite acting move, head slightly moved to one side - improves the image of his presumably high degree of mental illness) and retired US marine(not really sure about exact military position), Frank Zagarino who fights them is beyond any bad comment I can give. Also the story includes an US congressman, killed by Drago, mass suicide of cult members(any similarities with Jonestown is purely fictional) and loads of other rubbish either pulled out of more successful(but not really much better) Holywood blockbusters or invented by fascinatingly inventive screenwriters, who have really put their worst in this flick. Couldn't say it's the worst film I have ever seen, cause there are so many, but anyway, stay away.

First off let me just say that this is one of the worst movies I have ever seen. But without Drago the movie would slip from "bad" and into a black hole. Watching this film (did I call it a film) and in particular Drago, I could not help but think he is probably the most committed actor to have ever been filmed ... or at least the most committed since Rod Steiger in the Pawnbroker.

Now does that make it a good performance? I dare not say one way or another, but I did want more Drago because there was no telling where he was going with this character (despite the transparent script) ... surely his own spittle that he had to wipe off his own face was not in the script.

As for the other elements ... there is too much to get into, but I suppose the early warning sign was the change in font of the opening titles. Never Say Die is a sleeper, and by sleeper I mean, unless Drago is yelling out "And God..." then most likely you will fall asleep. I know I did.

So, if you are looking for one of the most over-the -top performances with action to laugh- for, this is the movie for you.