Fifty/Fifty

Charles Martin Smith who is not the most critically acclaimed director has made some pretty good movies in his time although not many people seem to know about them. However, this did not stop me from finding the movie Fifty/Fifty. I stumbled onto this little token because I was searching for films Peter Weller had starred in. Boy was I glad this film caught my attention with its excellent trailer. I usually do not laugh during trailers but this one was a rare gem.

Fifty/Fifty was released by Cannon Films who seemed to me like a well- known cinema company; I guess not. This film wasn't even theatrically released. But that makes it all the better. Peter Weller and Robert Hays star as two CIA operatives who are given an assignment to overthrow a ruthless dictator. Although both are from two different genres, both of them work really well together. I say this because their wisecracks seemed so natural like they didn't read the script. I'll admit that I did not have one favorite scene in this movie, because almost every scene was too good to pick a favorite. Even director Charles Martin Smith has a role in this story and he does his part well too.

The action is good in this movie too. There are plenty of shootings, explosions and there is some blood but not a lot of gore. The MPAA rating for this movie is rated R mostly for the language. I enjoyed Smith's direction on how he had Weller and Hays act during trouble. Even near death scenes, they never let go of their wit and funny comments.

Making this movie even more rare of a find is the score composed by Peter Bernstein, son of famous composer Elmer Bernstein. It's a little distressing to me because I enjoy many soundtracks to movies and I love collecting them and Bernstein's score is unobtainable. The score is fun to listen to because of its cheery mood and the way it gets fed into whatever scene is currently happening. I enjoyed this film a lot and wished that it was released theatrically. Director Charles Martin Smith outdid himself with this movie and its unfortunate not many people know of this funny action movie.

For some, it would seem like Robert Hays and Peter Weller are not the best duo in action comedy when in fact they deliver goods extremely well. With funny lines, a good soundtrack, and loud action, Fifty/Fifty will please any hardcore action comedy fan.

You know what the problem of this movie is? The way people look at it, simply because they measure it by the "big and loud" American action movies of the 1990s, and that's really unfair.

Here, or as you can find in that kind of low budget movies, there is no huge production, top elements, bankable stars, or international wide releases. So they struggle to have the opportunity to make movies, good ones at the least, and to sell them inside USA, or around the world. And as for (Fifty/Fifty), I believe they did it good this time.. so good indeed.

When you have an action movie of that kind, then you'll have stars like (Christopher Lambert), (Brandon Lee), (Dolph Lundgren), (Don the dragon Wilson), (Cynthia Rothrock). And there are others who got more fame and appreciation in the Middle East like (Chuck Norris), (Steven Seagal), (Jean-Claude Van Damme). All of the above, with all due respect for them and for their lovers, had more bad movies than their own good, and they are all whether not good actors, or mostly the worst ever!

Therefore when you watch such a brilliant and entertaining small movie like (Fifty/Fifty), you have to evaluate it firstly as an independent film, and secondly as one with no acting problems.

As for the story, obviously it's an inspiration of the classic Japanese movie (Seven Samurai - 1954), however after updating it for the 1990s, and giving the lead roles of it to 2 merry versions of (Rambo).

By the way, the (Seven Samurai) story was remade, countless times, in countless cinemas, all over the world. For instance, (The Magnificent Seven - 1960) in America, (Shams elzanaty - 1991) in Egypt, or (Sholay - 1975) in India; and that last one looks like the basis for (Fifty/Fifty), regarding too many proofs such as: there are just 2 defenders of the weak village not 7, the love story between one of them and a local girl, and the toss up play by the coin between the 2 leads. Otherwise, they're just strange coincidences!

The most enjoyable thing is that it has wonderful action. Just remember the sequences at the jungle, or the climax which was perfect, knowing that there was no CGI at all. So with excellent thrill, lovely comic moments, and flawless acting, what would an action fan need more?!

It was quite a surprise when I knew that the movie's director was (Charles Martin Smith) the same short actor who played the character of (Martin Sprue) the American intelligence officer. That's a reason for the bright and nice acting I suppose. And as a director, he managed to realize a too dazzling movie despite its budget.

I had an amazing time with it, from start to finish, especially every shot that got (Peter Weller) and (Robert Hays) together. As for (Robert Hays), he is so gifted in comedy and in action as well. He looks like (Jean-Paul Belmondo) American cousin, but with his own distinguished character. It makes you ask eagerly where is such an actor? And why he isn't a star? While OTHERS are.. unfortunately!

I loved all the fun and the fine work of it more than a lot, and I mean a lot, of Hollywood big and loud action movies. In one word, this time independent cinema really wins.

I agree that this movie IS a some kind of parody on action flicks. The heroes gunned down numerous troops without any difficulties, yet they always throw out jokes, as if they were not serious doing that. Unfortetunately, IF this was meant to be a parody, it's not funny enough. In the end, it has become a usual heroic-flick where you can blast a whole army, common in the 80s and early 90s.

I've never seen Robert Hays in any real 'tough-guys' movie. From the first I saw his name on credit, I was practically sure...that this is not "Commando" or somethin' like that.

By the way, I have to straighten some things up here. The movie takes place in a fictional SOUTH EAST ASIAN country, not South America or else. In fact, "Tenggara" (or Tengara, as the movie put it) means "South East" in Malay and Indonesian. The soldiers and the natives spoke Malay all through the movie, and the movie was shot in Malaysia. Yeah, I knew it's a relatively forgotten part in the (Hollywood) world (except now there's a movie called "Entrapment"). In real life, there are only three countries using Malay (and its variation, Indonesian) as official language: Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei Darussalaam.

Anyway, worth watching though...if you like some mild jokes. For the rest, don't think.

Or as a viewer put it: leave your brain.

well..this is the only movie from Hollywood which shot the film in Malaysia. THis is the only movie which has plenty of actors from Malaysia whom i known, and they're are fantastic! "Os" is one of the actors who shows great courage in a Hollywood movie, followed with the girl, Azmil and Shaharudin Tamby. I'm glad that i Watched this movie although there are only 252 votes, and only get a 5.0 out of 10 stars.

The best part of this movie is where the final scene was shot in my own country, in "Padang Kota Lama" and it seems to be a great action movies! This is one the place where it happens to be a great "tsunami" which cause death to the people in Penang in 2005. Oh well, let's not talk about tsunami, let's talk about movie. This is a well done movie with great action scene and superb acting. Deserve to obtained more stars which i think it should be above 6 stars.

By the way, give this movie a chance, watch it!! (10/10)

My review was written in February 1993 after a Times Square screening.

"Fifty/Fifty", a thoroughly mediocre actioner, fails to hit the required tongue-in-cheek tone. Obviously video-driven pic is an inauspicious return of Cannon Pictures to the theatrical marketplace after an eight-month hiatus.

Peter Weller and Robert Hays topline as soldiers of fortune in the Far East who are commandeered by the CIA for a mission to depose evil General Bosavi (Dom Magwili) of Tenggara. They cornily train the green troops of rebel leader Akhantar (Kay Tong Lim) while vying for the affections of his niece (Ramona Rahman). Of course the CIA double-crosses them and naturally the duo single handedly save the day.

Structured as an old-fashioned buddy romp, pic shamelessly imitates "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" to ill effect. Charles Martin Smith gives a very wishy-washy reading of the nominal CIA bureaucrat bad guy and directs the film in similarly "who cares?" fashion.

Weller is bland (he was far more expressive in the recent direct-to-video release "Sunset Grill"), while Hays, with perennial chin stubble, is comic relief. Stunts and other tech credits for this Malaysian-lensed opus are adequate.