Lo scudo umano

The movie starts out with a flashback to when Michael Dudikoff scarred the face of a Saddam Hussein clone in Iraq. Dudikoff is knocked down and then, jarringly, the movie shifts to the present day where that same guy is taking Dudikoff's diabetic brother hostage in order to lure him back to Iraq. The way this is edited is very sloppy and just the first of many signs that this is a Z-grade production made by Cannon in the post-Golan Globus years where they rarely did anything good, even by accident. This is one of those movies where the premise sounds like a lot of fun to fans of cheesy action movies. Who wouldn't want to see Michael Dudikoff kick Saddam Hussein's ass? But unfortunately it just isn't fun. It's all deathly serious but at the same time cheap and predictable. The action is uninspired and there are no memorable lines or catchphrases. It's strictly dullsville.

This movie is nothing but one of many american propagandas of 80's and 90's to present the stupid american kids (back then) how great part of arabic world is terrorist. One of worse Michael Dudikoff's movies that has stupid plot, no special twist to the movie and many scenes in the movie have no sense at all.

I have to admit that i was pleasantly surprised upon renting this movie. It seemed like just another crappy b-action that Dudikoff usually stars in. Exept from some small mistakes such as the title The Human Shield, which was totally wrong for the movie it was a good action movie. Dudikoff goes to Iraq to rescue his brother who has been taken hostage by a crazy general as payback against Dudikoff for an earlier altercation. See this if you are able to find it.

Michael Dudikoff did not leave behind any of his martial arts skills in not doing an American Ninja film with The Human Shield. He's an ex- marine who is on a mission of mercy to rescue his brother who served in the Gulf War and married a nice Iraqi girl. Unfortunately he got left behind the lines and is now a prisoner. The brother is also a diabetic.

Having watched the film I still have no idea what was going on other than brother Tommy Hinkley was used as bait to bring Dudikoff back. He actually had been there before when we liked Saddam Hussein and saw him as a bulwark against Iran. Iraqi General Steve Inwood has a personal score to settle with Dudikoff.

The Human Shield is a strangely actionless film for an action adventure martial arts item except for the last 20 minutes or so.

I like Michael Dudikoff, he does fit the action adventure mold quite well. But throughout his career he got inferior items like this one.

His fans should like it though.

This is one of those rare movies I can watch over and over again without getting bored. It was a well written story and the acting was surprisingly good for a "low budget" film. Steve Inwood as general Dalal was amazing and anyone who has seen this movie can attest to that...he steals the show (Pardon the pun). I'm not of middle eastern descent, but the directors did a fine job of portraying the culture. From the music, settings, food, lifestyle and nature of the people---and anyone who thinks culture isn't important in a film, it is said that Godfather was so successful because it portrayed the Italian culture to a tee.

Nonetheless, it was a good plot with decent sup-plots such as the romance between dudikoff and laila, his brother being kidnapped and the whole revenge factor.

The movie also has some memorable lines such as: "Insults here can only be washed away in blood" "I like your scar because it reminds me of the man who gave it to you" "Things done in a hurry are done in the ways of Satan. While things done with patience are done in the way of god" "A son should always be by his father's side during his proudest moments" Dalal talking about his 4 year old kid as he's about to go kill dudikoff "Should I wait?" "Not unless your wife has a sense of humour" Dudikoff to cab driver after being dropped off at the Iraqi border "American...what is it you want? Hash? Coca Cola? A woman? And anyone who has seen this movie or is thinking of seeing it should pay particular attention towards the end of the movie when Dalal is being driven to the chemical plant. The car phone rings and he picks up this HUGE MUTHER****IN phone that must have been state of the art at the time but DAMN! The thing easily could have been 5 pounds.

Also Hana Azoulay Hasfari was good as Laila. I say there should be a rule where if you're doing a film that revolves around a certain culture you should get actors from THAT culture to portray characters. It makes things more believable and credible. Even if they aren't known you'll be surprised at how good some "unknown actors" can be. The biggest flaw I can think of was Hollywood using Penelope Cruz to play a Greek girl in Captain Corelli's Mandolin. I love Penelope but that was a joke.