Liberator

I really don't see the point of this short film / pilot existing unless the story is continued. And from the looks of it, it wont.

I'm a big Don "The Dragon" fan and also really enjoy good 'ol Lou, who delivers a FANTASTIC PERFORMANCE in this short. The character is interesting. The set-up is good. And though the FX are lacking, it's all something I would've preferred to see in a feature format -- even at the expense of a few of the "name" actors which no-doubt ate up some of the budget. I can't imagine the film cost more than a hundred grand (if that), so why not take the funds from one (or more) of the "name" players and put that into making this a feature-length project? Far worse movies have been made for the same price tag, and this concept is actually GOOD so why not go for the gold? Having the story abruptly end right when the ball gets rolling was kind of annoying.

Overall, it's a fun short -- but really should've been a feature. Maybe if this gets enough exposure and it gets enough people talking, we can get that. I certainly hope so anyway.

Occasionally, a great nugget of Sci-Fi and Comic Book Hero goodness falls onto our plate. 'Liberator' the movie, has the potential to be a tasty morsel that we can sink our teeth into! 'Liberator' is a dark, superhero action, short film pilot that was shot in Los Angeles, CA

Al Migliocetti, the Liberator, becomes public enemy number one after having to take the wrap for a botched US black ops job. He winds up being sent to Federal prison despite all the good he's done for his country. Once considered an American icon, his status is quickly obliterated, and after he gets out of prison has to face today's times with everyone in America hating him – including his own family who turned on him as well.

Out of desperation to clear his name and win the love of his daughter back, he does what many disgruntled Americans with a story to tell do – write a tell all book. Just when he starts putting back the pieces of his life, an evil enemy resurfaces forcing him to don the uniform and once again become the Liberator.

I recently caught a screening of Liberator at the California International Shorts Festival and I was very surprised -- in a good way. Firstly, let me state the obvious, a lot of people don't necessarily think of Lou Ferrigno as an actor. I used to be one of those people. But after seeing Liberator, I have to admit that I was wrong. He does a great job inhabiting the washed-up superhero. I was also thrilled to see Peta Wilson in the cast. I found the movie itself to be inventive (watch for the beginning and the end -- not saying anything more), action-packed and even, if you look closely, political. Two thumbs up.

The best part about this movie is that it co-stars personal friends Don the Dragon and Tara Cardinal, two awesome superstars in their own rights. The short definitely shows enough interest that there should be a TV series to come out of this. It would be awesome and it is definitely time for another hero to be revived. The bad part about this short is that Lou Ferrigno is the star in it. It is hard to enjoy a film when someone you looked up to turns out to be a jerk to his fans. I tried to meet him in person at work out day at the Santa Monica Pier and say hello and get him to autograph the DVD and take a picture with him but he kept avoiding me only to stop when a beautiful woman wanted to say hello and get a hug and picture with him. After waiting in line at LA Comikaze to get his autograph and picture and seeing his prices I had to turn and walk away without even meeting him. He probably wanted money for a guy to meet him for that too. I threw my Hulk DVD's in the trash when I got home from that event. The short is original, kept it interesting, and was quite cleverly written. It left you wanting more, which is what a short is supposed to do. Would love to see it in a TV series, as I already said, but for personal reasons, have it end with the super hero losing. Having gone from hero to zero, Lou tries to once again become the hero he once was and America's favorite guy again, but can he do it? Lets hope the TV series shows up so we can find out.

Lou Ferrigno looks uncomfortable on film in this one, he seems embarrassed and he should be. This pile of garbage is what one would expect from Lou Ferrigno after his 30+ years of making terrible films. The only hope from any of his films is that they are so bad and campy that they are fun to laugh at, this one fails even in that. Bottom line is this is garbage, beyond bad acting, uncreative writing, middle school cinematography and nonexistent editing.

The only good news is this film/short is so bad it will be almost impossible for you to even find it.

If you really want to watch a Lou Ferrigno film, go watch Sinbad of the Seven Seas or Hercules. These terrible films are at least fun to laugh at.