bad_habitt

The superb editing, the wonderful and precise special effects, the wonderful cinematography and scenes fused with what many consider the greatest film score soundtrack of all time. Wow, just wow. This film deconstructed is nothing but sheer class all the way. It has no weak or loose joints and the transitions are perfect. The pacing is flawless. The directing is very visual and creative. Now to mention the charisma and magnetism Stallone created with the character and the way he branded him was just amazing. Audiences in theaters actually standing up and cheering as one for the character as he spoke the "Murdock... I'm coming to get you" line. When was the last time that happened in the cinema? The film remains a wonderful example of what the human spirit can achieve if people work as a team. This is not only a testament of a mesmerizing movie, but a symbol of how wonderful art can be when artists all contribute their heart to a project. This film is nothing short of a perfect picture and I quote the back of the original 1985 video release

"One of the greatest films you could ever hope to take home with you"

If anyone sees any faults with the film, I'd certainly like to hear from you. But in 20 years time, the 80's will be praised for their superb art and this film will become one of the greatest cult classics ever. Not just because it was successful and impacted the whole world whilst Stallone's career was burning hot, but because it justifies how skillful movies can actually become if the people pulling the strings are nothing short of genius. Once deconstructed it reveals why it is perfect in every way a movie can be.

I purchased a copy of this on eBay for $24 as I learned Max Thayer starred in this gem. After seeing him in No retreat No surrender 2, I knew I had to own this film.

After 3 months of waiting for my copy, it finally arrived this morning. I of course took the day off work, lit up a jay and popped it in my VCR.

From the opening credits I knew It was watching something special. Straight from 1987 and everything that came along with it. Max's acting in this doesn't rise to the sophistication and sharpness of that in NRNS2 however. You get the idea that maybe he enjoyed himself a lot more in that film than this one. Although he is still great in it and passes off some very surreal acting.

The villain Nick Nicholson has to be seen to be believed. There are no words in the English language to describe his performance. His character transfers from a sadistic general, then forward 10 years (that's right, this film has a time warp), to where he's a maniac communist trying to implement justice into the world by assassinating the pope and US president. Simply brilliant.

Kudos to J.C Miller for having the balls to write the screenplay for this and eventually direct it. I'd love to see a DVD release of this with his commentary. I imagine it would be very manic and one of the best commentaries ever. Simply because anyone who'd write a film like this, is a unique artist - worthy of cinema acclaim.

10\10 - A must see.

This film was awesome. I had no idea what to expect after ordering a copy of it on ebay but it really surprised me. It featured a very solid story and writing as well as some very nice shooting on location. Loren Avedon provides some great humorous moments and pulls off the twist in the film wonderfully which what really makes it work. If it wasn't for Avedon's positively surreal acting and chemistry with the great Brion James (Tango and Cash), I don't think this film would have really reached its full potential. Brion also plays a wonderful villain that's continuously wired on coke throughout the entire film even though he's the mastermind of the whole 'bad guy' operation.

Great stuff.