Direct Contact

Mike Riggins (Dolph Lundgren), a former U.S. special forces soldier now in a Russian prison, is sprung by a U.S. Embassey official (Michael Pare) with the condition being that Riggins must locate and bring back a kidnapped American girl (Gina May). Naturally, the Government official is all sorts of lying and Dolph's not gonna stand for it. Not to be confused with Lundgren's earlier DIRECT ACTION (2004), this Bulgaria-shot actioner showcases how average a recent Dolph direct-to-video vehicle can be when he is not at the helm. Director Danny Lerner gave the world plenty of Nu Image big monster crap as a producer and his directing credit before this being SHARKS IN VENICE. Ugh. He barely knows how to shoot an action scene and fills the film with odd plot holes that he tries to cover with some quick ADR work. Pare actually looks good for a guy who just turned 50 and his villainous character meets an explosive end (perhaps the film's best moment) during a fiery showdown in an abandoned building. Thankfully, Dolph's next two DTV projects he is handling himself.

The worst move ever shot in Bulgaria probably since I didn't watched many. Poor acting, poor stunt, poor effects many mistakes. Not very convincing story. Too much blood and unnecessary show of that. In that cheap movie you can see cars that you cannot see in this region from many years -like Trabant, Moskvich, Lada or GAZ. You can hear moaning in many languages like Russian, Bulgarian or some mix, but nothing sounds like real. I am sorry that I have spent so much time for that stupid film. There is really no point in that movie that I could like, sorry. Although I like good actions.... The only reason for watching this movie was the play of Dolph Lundgren. He act normally, not bad but that cannot compensate the lapse of a logical reasons for his hero's acts. The only real chance for some romance thread was missed in the worst not convincing way.

DIRECT CONTACT surely is a bad movie: the plot is generic, the direction is laughable, the editing sloppy, the acting aside from Lundgren terrible. Furthermore some scenes are taken from earlier Nu Image-movies like U.S.SEALS 1&3, OUT FOR A KILL or DERAILED. Despite these facts DIRECT CONTACT is a highly entertaining piece of B-movie as it manages to keep the pace high and fills 80 minutes with as much senseless action as any sucker for this kind of movie could hope for. Lundgren kicks ass, and anyone who was disappointed with the lack of solid action in MISSIONARY MAN can rejoice. Although the violence often looks ridiculous (blood spurting from hats, etc.)it's fun watching Dolph doing what he's best in, and despite his age he really delivers. Danny Lerner on the other hand should finally finish his attempts to be a director, in more competent hands this movie could have been a b-action-gem since the budget is moderate, the visuals nice, the score okay, unfortunately the many flaws make this movie just another case of trashy but at least amusing guilty pleasure.

It is a mediocre B-category movie, nothing more... The plot lacks reality and is full of goofs, supposed moments, shootings at random and product placement (especially cars). Almost all the locals (incl. police) are blunt and bloodthirsty; the events take place clearly in Bulgaria, but the US Embassy is in Luka for some reason.

Lundgren looks tired and old already, May is just-another-thriller-chick, but Chalke as Trent Robbins is really awful. His lines are just for show, his character is not truthful (especially in final scenes).

Watchable for those fond of chases, explosions and shootings, but even Lundgren has starred in much better movies. If you have a choice, pick something else to watch.

Mike Riggins, an imprisoned ex-US Special forces operative in Eastern Europe, is offered his freedom and money to rescue an American woman, Ana Gale, who has been kidnapped by a ruthless warlord.

I just watched this movie last night. The story is good and Dolph does put in a good performance. There is a stupid love scene through in. The fight scenes are well choreographed and the action scene well worked. The director relys on to many methods used on films like Better tomorrow and the Killer and this is the films down fall because these methods sometimes shows how bad the other actors are and a lot of work has looked have gone into this movie. If you're looking for a quick buzz or a Friday night movie do check this out.