L.A. Wars

Some ex cop goes undercover to the Mafia to uncover some s#!+. LA Wars is what I consider to be the quintessential B action movie with its gritty late 80s early 90s vibe, grainy picture quality, echoed synthesizer music and sex and violence. But for a low budget action flick, it does have a lot of good things going for it. The action is plentiful and really good for what it is with lots of bloody goodness. It is also nice to see the protagonist be an actual heterosexual muscle man beating up people rather than a soy sucking 80 pound sissy, whining about social justice like we see today. The acting is not bad...... and so forth. One of the better if not best B action films ever conceived.

Well, there is no doubt that crime is a serious problem in LA and, if over/bad acting was an effective means of fighting crime, the citizens of LA would have nothing to worry about and would be sleeping with their front doors unlocked and their car windows open every night if all the cops were like these guys. I love macho, invincible hero action flicks like this and LA Wars is a thoroughly entertaining viewing experience that any true fan of the genre should enjoy. Granted, the plot is total nonsense, but it does show some interesting glimpses of reality that one might apply to real life. For example, if you ever need to know the location and name of the guy controlling the drug activity in a large city, one need only pay $50 to a homeless guy. Also, one learns that bullets from two guys blasting at you with fully automatic assault rifles will automatically be directed at the bartender directly across from you and that the term "sleeping with the fishes" now refers to a guy who was hung by the neck instead of thrown in the river or lake. The film also demonstrates the undeniable fact that all mobsters are greasy Italians with names like "Vinnie". You get the picture. This movie is totally hilarious, dumb as hell, predictable, cookie-cutter Action/Adventure schlock at it's finest and all movies should be this good. Recommended.

To those who like to indulge in the lower spectrum of the genre, 'L. A. Wars' is everything you want it being. It's the type of flick that doesn't get made anymore. A real snapshot into the 80's and early 90's dtv low budget landscape. You'll either enjoy what this flick stands for - action, simplicity, boobs - or you won't and should turn back now.

An ex-cop who got unjustly tossed off the force, Jake Quinn (Vince Murdocco) is a man who doesn't have the time for rules, criminals or talking. Working security for a bar, he happens to rescue the daughter of a mob boss when she's almost abducted in the street and quickly becomes her official bodyguard. Meanwhile the on-going mob war allows him a chance to regain his badge while also falling in love with his responsibility.

Shot for under 200k, the filmmakers did their best to put out a half decent product and for the most part succeed. The story is functional, but the fights are a little stilted, too slow. Could have benefitted from better choreography (which they probably couldn't afford) or at the very least more editing. As a guy with professional kickboxing in his background, Murdocco is at least convincing mixing it up physically and his one note acting perfectly fine in a flick such as this.

The bodies drop either thru fisticuffs or gunplay as does a healthy level of swearing. Betrayals, double crosses, silly villain escapes, cocaine, a cranky ex-superior police captain and an almost invincible main hero. Sidaris regular Rodrigo Obregón turns up as a rival mob boss while stripper / porn star Holly Body displays her enormous talents.

If you aren't the most discriminating for your action fix or you're feeling a bit nostalgic, 'L. A. Wars' has some good pieces and checks a lot of the cliché boxes. Even if there's some groaners, rough spots along the way or laughs at things you weren't meant to - you're still entertained.