Fifty/Fifty

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.

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.

So, you are with a group of mates(pals, friends, buddies) and you are renting a video. If your group is mostly men then I recommend fifty/fifty. It has all the elements that you would expect from an action/adventure/ comedy. One liners, 'n' all that. But this film is most definitely unique.

If you know films well and you also know a few flashy words and concepts to go with them then you will recognise it as a film that breaks a few of the genres' conventions. If not, well you can use that as an excuse to your girlfriend who says that you watch films with no taste. A right royal Buddy humour filled picture. In other words you will laugh your lungs dry!

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)

take one part Commado, two parts Rambo, one part Lethal weapon, and one half teaspoon of Airplane! and you've got Fifty/Fifty. It's yet another one of those eighties b-movie rambo based war movies. Where people in SouthAmerica/Africa/SouthAsia are being ruled by a harsh dictator or some such and our heros come in unite the people defeat said dictator and the movie ends. See McBain, Commando, POW The Escape, Dogs Of War, Rambo, and thousands of others like it at your local video store. These movies rule for the simply fact of low expectations, lots of gun play and explosions and cookie cutter plots and charecters. Thses movies are Americas version of 60's and 70's martial arts films from China and Japan.