More old reviews off of the old site by me. Ignore the horrible spelling, grammar and syntax use and marvel instead at the youthful energy of a young man that loved to watch movies. I'm currently helping my folks move so you may be getting re-runs here for a while. Sorry about the mess. ***
I LIKE action films.
The story doesn’t have to be complex. The characters don’t need to be multilayered. The acting can be as if they were reading there lines off queue cards that were translated through a broken down, third generation ATARI. As long as the glass breaks, bones are crunched, and swooshing sounds accompany the slightest raise of an eyebrow.
Muscle Heat falls straight into this category. The story isn’t enough to explain in one sentence. But as a writer I’m going have to try:
“Joe, an ex-marine, loses a partner and seeks vengeance”
No joke. That’s it. There’s some other stuff about the “Muscle Heat” drug, but it’s really only to clarify some stuff for the final fight (Well, the “real” one. There’s a short skirmish which is a bit weak after it.) And to get everything off at a brisk pace.
The fights (Choreographed by ex-members of the Jackie Chan Stunt team) on the other hand, are worth the price of admission. This is the stuff that you the Fast-Forward through all the talking bits for. With a whopping amount of nine notable action sequences (Including a nice little two-handed pistol gun fight.) this film will hit you like a sack of bricks. Acting wise…well other than v-cinema favorite Show Akiwa in a cool cameo we have first time action star Kane Kosugi lending in a likable performance. And then we have the usual cast of boy/girl pop stars standing around and looking pretty. If it wasn’t for the little girls never-ending whines of “momma” maybe I wouldn’t feel so guilty skipping that chapter. Direction is a bit restrained, but when it shines, it shines. Slow-Motion is used to an extreme effect.
Don’t get me wrong, I can still enjoy dramas/comedies/horror…ect. But thrown in a dose of fisticuffs and I’ll thank you until the end of time. As long as your brain realizes this is just a b-movie, you won’t have any problems brushing away important stuff like a script.
So Enjoy.
DVD:
This needed a special edition and it got it. Inside is great behind-the scene footage (Covering almost every fight), interviews, trailers and all the “what not” you could ever hope for. The whole thing is lacking subs (Including the film! But it’s mostly in English) but it explains itself without having to straining your eyes. Buy it now!
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