Fugitive Mind

Yet another quickie from Ray, this one presents a convoluted plot of evil scientists, implanted memories, and a political assassination. To his credit, Ray assembles eclectic casts of genre vets, and this is no exception with Ian Ogilvy star of cult director Michael Reeves' films and former TV Saint, Irwin Allen star David Hedison, TV Buck Rogers Gil Gerard and others. Worth a look for fans of the actors or director, but don't be misled by the title and expect a kind of Donovan's Brain in a jar on the lam.

The plot follows a man who discovers he has been brainwashed to kill a government official. This film was very good. It is a well made thriller that doesn't seem like it got the kind of audience that it deserved. Yeah it does have some lacking parts but none the less still holds up pretty well. I actually didn't know this film existed until a friend told me about it and they loved it, so I just had to see it. It is a very underrated suspenseful film with a good story and some great performances from Michael Dudikoff, who I had never seen in a film before but really impressed me with this film. Also Heather Langenkamp, best known for the Nightmare On Elm Street films, did really well and she also impressed me by proving that she could be great as a drama film actress as well as a horror film actress.

This movie is Bad. It's an action/thriller with convoluted plot of evil scientists, implanted memories, and a political assassination. It's a pale imitation of "The Manchurian candidate" with a little bit of "Total recall" thrown in. I strongly suggest that you should watch those movies. If you have already seen them , then watch them again. Just don't waste your time on "Fugitive mind".

The story allows Michael Dudikoff ("American ninja") to do a bit more acting that he has in the past. Dudikoff has always been a capable B actor and he proves it here. He isn't able to save the movie , because the plot sucks. The story is predictable and the action is terribly lame. The movie drags almost all the time and I was fast-forwarding it at few places. You won't be satisfied either if you're a thriller or action movie fan. It's a cheaply made movie that will satisfy only the most desperate and tasteless viewers. This is lame movie that isn't even "so bad , it's good". Don't waste your time. If you like Dudikoff better watch "American ninja" or "Avenging force". I give it 1/10.

A change of genre for Fred Olen Ray, here tackling a conspiracy thriller with sci-fi touches. Very obviously a low budget rip-off of TOTAL RECALL, this nonetheless has a quite good pacing and some okay fights which allow you to overlook the many flaws. Supporting Dudikoff are NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET's Heather Langenkamp as an ally, plus the usual run of old timers including Ian Ogilvy and David Hedison.

First of, I don't believe this movie is getting such a hard time in reviews. I thought it was very good. Although Michael Dudikoff is the dominent lead I think Heather Langenkamp stole the movie. And this is the only reason I bought this, because of her. Because of her roles as Nancy in the Nightmare on elm street movies. For a Heather fan this is a true gem! But I discovered even more reasons to like this. The scientifical intellagence, the suspensfull unpreciatble storyline, the action and everything in between. I was on edge throught it trying to understand as it had a complex and clever story line! It kept you watching! This movie has made me a Michael Dudikoff fan also. This could had been a masterpiece but instead is in comferbale position of the best straight to video movie ever. ALTHOUGH, it did actually get a limited theatrical release in the USA and Canada. Remember that! But it does have some bad qualities. Heather and Michael were great leading roles, but some of the other actors. The acting was weak from some.

In my oppinion this movie does not deliver the sci-fi good of "aliens" or "terminator" but is a damm good sci-fi flick that is worth the buy! Given a international release this could had been a international hit but unfortunatly is relitivly unkown accross Europe. It does lack in places. But if your a fan of the lead actors and like a bit of science mixed with action, do buy this film!

I give this movie a solid 8 out of 10