O Herói e o Terror

This time Chuck Norris confronting an ominous psycho-killer . A sensible but two-fisted cop (Chuck Norris) and his tough helper (Steve James) pit a dangerous series killer who holds a supernatural force . The police named Danny O'Brien is back in action fighting the notorious psychotic Simon Moon (Jack O'Halloran) , also known as ¨The Terror¨ who murders his victims by twisting their necks . The monstrous and virtually indestructible man is a Frankestein-alike , acting similarly to Jason Vorhees and Michael Myers .

This Chuck Norris vehicle contains action-packed , thrills , chills and lots of blood and violence . Chuck Norris demonstrates his qualities as an action hero on the fights against the largest-than-life murderous by means of punches , kicks , bounds and leaps . This is last film that Menahem Golan , from Cannon film company , produced with Chuck Norris . Large support cast formed by usual secondaries of the 80s such as Steve James , Jeffrey Kramer , Billy Drago , Branscome Richmond and Ron O'Neal as the Mayor . David Michael Frank's screeching musical score was composed by means of synthesizer . The motion picture was regularly directed by William Tannen . This horror-fighting-thriller is an inferior Norris film , in spite of it he was on his best period with hits such as ¨The Octagon¨ , ¨An eye for an eye¨ , ¨Forced vengeance¨ , ¨Lone Wolf MacQuade¨ , and ¨Missing in action¨ , among others . Rating : Below average but entertaining . The picture will appeal to Chuck Norris fans though results to be one of his inferior outings .

"Hero and the Terror" is pretty good as Chuck Norris cinema goes. It's more along the lines of his 1982 vehicle "Silent Rage", as it's really more of a thriller than an action film; therefore, some fans may find it disappointing.

Chuck doesn't do too much ass kicking this time around in this attempt to play a different sort of character, and to his credit he pulls it off, playing Danny O'Brien, a detective who earned the nickname "Hero" when he apprehended vicious serial killer Simon Moon, a.k.a. "The Terror" (boxer turned actor Jack O'Halloran, perfectly cast). Danny's always felt guilty about the subsequent praise as he knows what really happened is that he got lucky. Naturally, by the time this movie is over, he'll have realized that this is one demon he will have to exorcise, in order to deal with his nightmares.

Brynn Thayer is foxy and feisty as his leading lady Kay (who was Danny's psychiatrist!), and the late, great Steve James is his usual charismatic self as Danny's colleague Bill; James simply steals the scenes whenever he's on screen. Also appearing are Ron O'Neal (Superfly is the mayor of L.A. in this thing!), Jeffrey Kramer of "Jaws" 1 and 2, Joe Guzaldo (who acted with Chuck in "Code of Silence"), Murphy Dunne of the Blues Brothers Band as the theatre manager, ravishing Playboy Playmate Karen Witter as Hollywood starlet Ginger, Tony DiBenedetto, and the always delicious Billy Drago, Chuck's nemesis in the second "Delta Force" movie, as a highly unlikely psychiatrist.

The real-life Wiltern theatre makes for an impressive setting, and there is some decently done suspense in this thing. The music by David M. Frank fits the tone of the movie with its somber quality. Any and all action scenes are rather perfunctory. Still, Chuck and the cast & crew deserve some credit for doing something a little different; you don't see him in the position of actually being intimidated by his opponent too often, although, again, this might not sit will with some action fans watching.

In any event, it's enjoyable stuff, with a screenplay co-written by former actor Michael Blodgett ("Beyond the Valley of the Dolls"), who does an uncredited bit in an extended restaurant scene.

Eight out of 10.

Out of the ordinary for Norris? In a way it does feel like it, but still those sweaty and muscle-bound elements are still evident but in a lesser tone. Norris does kick some ass, but he plays a scarred, guilt-ridden and unsure character that doesn't see himself as some sort of hero (the media portrays) with the main focus being on the welfare of his girlfriend and their expected baby. Some might say that it's a sombre performance with little emotion, but it's a heartfelt turn that you feel every aching and haunting thought. Complementing that broad complexion is David Michael Frank's score, which is always there and holds a sorrow edge. The story builds upon its material with a humane angle, as Norris battles the demons (spares us some wry relationship humour) while the killer (the terror) is mainly a lumbering shadow that emits terror in the most basic and raw way. It's primal and old-fashion police-killer premise, but stays stimulating throughout. That's not discarding some repetitive and contrived inclusions, and how the killer does feel secondary to Norris. William Tannen's direction gradually forms suspense and moves quick enough (even with some useless spots). The action isn't eye-opening, but it's a sturdy display with moments of atmospheric lashings and the setting in a renovated movie theatre is a nice touch. The violence is quick, with the killer providing a sure cure for neck problems. An above-par cast do a sound job. Brynn Thayer excels as Norris' girlfriend. Jack O'Halloran's animalistic, brute physique is his performance and Steve James is enjoyable too. Rounding the cast off; Ryan O'Neil, Jeffrey Kramer, Murphy Dunne and a short, but important see-in for Billy Drago (this guy has presence) who explains the creepy and unsettling nature of the wanted killer.

Years ago, cop Chuck Norris captured serial killer Simon Moon, a.k.a. "The Terror." This made him a local hero dubbed "Hero" by the press. Now The Terror is back and Hero has to stop him. This is a somewhat different movie for Chuck than his other '80s movies. He attempts to play a more layered and sensitive guy this time around. Sure he does spin-kicks and the like, but he also wears sweaters and goes shopping with his pregnant girlfriend Brynn Thayer (one of Matlock's daughters). Jack O'Halloran plays The Terror. Steve James takes time out from being Michael Dudikoff's sidekick in the American Ninja movies to being Chuck's partner here. Billy Drago also appears in a surprisingly non-villainous role. Chuck gets a lot of flack for a variety of reasons but his '80s movies were usually entertaining. This is no exception. It's not high art but it is a fun cop movie.

Hero and the Terror (1988)

** (out of 4)

Danny O'Brien (Chuck Norris) brings down a serial killer labeled by the media as The Terror (Jack O'Halloran), which gets his labeled as Hero. Three years after the event O'Brien is still suffering nightmares and struggling to put his life together but things get a lot worse when The Terror escapes from a mental hospital.

HERO AND THE TERROR is a Cannon film that tried to show their star Norris in a new light. The "added" stuff here includes seeing Norris struggle with coming to terms with the killer but there's a very large subplot dealing with his pregnant girlfriend and their upcoming child. The melodrama in the picture actually takes up the majority of the running time, which is too bad because there's a fairly interesting killer here to work with.

I never fault any actor trying to go out of the norm and do something different. It's funny that Cannon would have Norris doing some more than kicking butt in this film and especially when you consider that their other star Charles Bronson was trying something new this year too with MESSENGER OF DEATH. Both films have the stars offering up a new thing but it really doesn't work too well here. Norris actually gives a good performance and proves that he can handle the drama but all of this really waters down the story dealing with the serial killer and in the end, this is a Cannon movie after all.

The opening sequence actually manages to build up some nice suspense and there's some great one liners coming from Norris. The first forty five minutes or so are actually very entertaining but the film eventually runs out of gas and struggles to get to the conclusion. I think there are several long sequences that just didn't go anywhere including a search of a theater that drags on to the point where you're ready to take a nap. O'Halloran is effective in the role of the killer and it's too bad that there wasn't more of him.

HERO AND THE TERROR is a decent movie but not a complete winner.