Outubro Negro

Mike Anderson (hunky Dolph Lundgren) is a known American reporter dispatched to investigate a mysterious and fatal attack on an overseas US naval base, Anderson, a leading investigative journalist and ex-US marine, finds himself back on familiar ground. Instinct makes him question the official CIA explanation told by CIA chief Jackson (Oscarized secondary Louis Gosset Jr) that cites an unknown terrorist group called Black October (Black September-alike) . Terrorist attacks on US military based in Israel are just the smokescreen for a great threat . Alone, and armed only with his combat training and determination to uncover the truth, the journalist attempts to find out a risked political web . Renewing a fiery affair with his ex-Iover Susan Clifford (Lisa Berkley , in her first and last film), now the US Embassy press attachee, he soon finds himself taking on an old adversary . And when his former marine colleague Colonel John Cooper (John Finn of Cold case) suffers a terrorist attack after a secret rendezvous with him, Mike realises he holds the pieces to a deadly plot . If the lies don'd kill you , the truth will will ¡ .

This exciting though below-par Actioner packs suspense , car chases , thrills , noisy action , political intrigue and violence . Boring pace with its ups and downs ; stands out only for ending scenes when takes place the attempt terrorist in 11th station , ¨Via Crucis¨ and Holy Tomb . Picture reveals an alarmingly realist insight into US-Middle Eastern politics and terrorism since the 2000s, dealing with a al-Qaeda-esque terrorist organization and the conspiracy theories that some believe the US government is using the Middle East as a cover-up . The highlights of the movie result to be the battles to save the lives of thousands of innocent people, in a desperate attempt to prevent a deadly plan to create an international disaster of catastrophic proportions , as in a race against time Lundgren confronts a terrorist scheme in the God Friday climax , including hokey religious symbolism . The scene where Dolph Lundgren's character runs through the mass of people during the Easter celebration was shot during an actual enactment by pilgrims of the twelve stations of Christ. Hidden cameras were used to get the footage, and a pair of incognito Israeli National Squad paratroopers followed Lundgren for his protection. None the less pilgrims and tourists thought his fake blood was an actual wound, and "real" soldiers pointed M16 guns at Lundgren and got him down on the ground as they had not been well informed of the film production .

Regular acting by Dolph Lundgren as a two-fisted American journalist on a dangerous foreign assignment, finds his own life in jeopardy when he uncovers a deadly labyrinth of political intrigue , better is Lous Gosset Jr as CIA boss Lou Jackson. William Tannen, who had written the script and was in the final stages of preparation in Israel to begin shooting in one week, was replaced because the lead actor decided that the script he signed on to do was no longer viable and that he began to do a major rewrite ; Tannen actually said the word "No" and was excused by the Israeli producer, a former prop man. The picture failed at box office and released theatrically worldwide except in the United States and United Kingdom . The movie was incidentally produced before the Gulf War started . In France, the distributor delayed the release by six months because of the conflict . The motion picture was middlingly directed by Manny Coto ; writer William Tannen was to direct the film, director Manny Coto got hired only one or two weeks before principal photography . Manny is a notorious producer , writer an occasionally director as TV as cinema , such as ¨Zenon¨, ¨Star Kid¨, ¨Dr Giggles¨, ¨Red Schizo¨and this ¨Cover up¨

Reporter and former marine Mike Anderson (Lundgren) investigates following a deadly assault on a US military base which the CIA attributes to a terrorist organisation. However, with a powerful weapon missing, Mike believes something more sinister is afoot and soon finds himself coming face-to-face with an old foe, CIA man Lou Jackson (Gossett Jr), with the lives of thousands of people at stake.

Action-wise, 'Cover Up' is quite limited. A a couple of explosions, a couple of punch-ups and a decent car chase, that's it. It's more of a thriller with some drama and intrigue. Lundgren gets to play a slightly different type of character, and acts quite well; his interplay with Louis Gossett Jr. Is good. There's some good scenery, and a surprising twist at the end, but the film lacks pace, it's a bit too dullish, unexciting and talky - needed more punch, however it was slightly diverting with its intrigue and Lundgren's performance. Otherwise it's not something I would watch again in a hurry. A one time watch I would say.

Mike Anderson (Dolph Lungren) is an ex-marine reporter sent by the LA time to Tel Aviv to investigate the recent bombing of a US army base. There he meets his mate Cooper, who has now hooked up with Mike's ex. Mike sense that something isn't right with this attack, and he's right. A nerve gas has been stolen that can kill up to a square mile of people and it seems a shadowy group called Black October have stolen it. Mike sets out to find out what's up with the whole deal, and just exactly what Lou Gossett Junior has to do with it all.

Low on action but high in covert shenanigans, Cover Up is helped greatly by the fact that Lungren, unlike a lot of action stars, is also quite a likable actor to boot. Here he doesn't have too much to do except snoop around, avoid the CIA, and avoid being killed by assassins, but he does find time to sleep with his widowed ex, get into a car chase, and seemingly get into a very violent fight with an actor who greatly resembles Italian b-movie star John Stiener (who, in some sort of time slip, travelled forward in time from a movie set in Rome to kick Dolph's head in - weird).

There's your usual double and triple crosses, plus, for an action hero, Dolph really takes his licks here. I liked it for what it was, and when violence appears it's quite strong. Not bad for something to pass the time.

The stage curtains open ...

"Cover-Up", starring Dolph Lundgren as an ex-Marine turned journalist named Mike Anderson, and Louis Gossett Jr. as CIA agent, Lou Jackson, relies heavily on plot in a film that is more of a mind game than an action-thriller. Not your usual Lundgren film, it finds him playing detective in a race against time.

When a U.S. naval military base is bombed in Israel, Anderson is sent in to investigate and report his findings. While he is there, he runs into some familiar faces from his past, including his old flame, Susan Clifford, who is now working for the U.S. Embassy. As he digs deeper into the mystery behind the bombing which killed American soldiers, he finds that things run much deeper than what is initially believed to be the case. Now, he is in a race against time to prevent the death of thousands of innocent people, including a diabolical plan to do much, much worse.

This really wasn't that bad of a film. I wouldn't put this among Lundgren's best, but at the same time, it is a lot better than some movies he's done. The story is surprisingly intelligent and intricate with strong characters and decent acting. Lundgren really isn't known for his acting chops, but he shows some here and knows how to rein things in to keep in character and avoid becoming bigger than the story. The ending is a little hazy ... and without giving anything away, all I will say is that it's hard to tell if Mike Anderson survives the ordeal or not. I guess you would have to watch it to decide for yourself.

Even though the movie plays out well, it is still not one I would necessarily recommend. I feel that if you are a Dolph Lundgren fan and haven't yet seen this movie, you would probably enjoy it - keeping in mind that it is low on action and high on political intrigue. I think I would watch this again though. I had a good enough time to say that overall, it was enjoyable.

STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs

This is an early feature of Dolph Lundgren's,that was ,weirdly enough,made after the likes of The Punisher and Masters of the Universe.It's probably one of his better movies though.There is a complex and intriguing plot to follow that requires you to use your brain (a blessing for a Dolph film),and,although director Manny Coto allows the action to slack a bit,things certainly heat up at the end.There is an unfortunate lack of engaging dialogue for Dolph and the rest of the cast to work with and the ending is the very definition of anti climatic,but generally speaking,and certainly in comparison to a lot of other films of it's ilk,this one's great to pick up for £2.99,take home and enjoy with some crisps and beers.***