Lone Wolf McQuade:Underrated 80's Action

I know what you're thinking: "Why the heck is a Chuck Norris movie being reviewed in a blog that mainly covers sci-fi?". Remember, 80's movies in general are a favorite here, and in some ways Lone Wolf McQuade qualifies as sci-fi. Well, not really but here we are with a review...

J.J. McQuade (Norris) is a Texas Ranger who plays by his own rules. He guzzles beer on the job, shows up late for an awards ceremony, and has a general disrespect for his superiors. McQuade also lives on his own in a dump of a house and has a wolf for a pet. Rawley Wilkes (David Carradine) is a drug trafficker/arms dealer that the Rangers need help in capturing. McQuade reluctantly joins up with a young state trooper (Robert Beltran) and later an FBI agent (Leon Isaac Kennedy) to rescue his kidnapped daughter from Wilkes' fortress.

Lone Wolf McQuade is part western, part action film, and it exudes cool with the opening scene featuring McQuade taking out dozens of bad guys. The coolness continues with the intro of Carradine's Wilkes, as he takes out other bad guys, therefore proving that he is THE bad guy. Sure, there are a few bland moments in the film, but they take a back seat to outrageous characters such as an underutilized little person in a motorized chair who loves video games. William Sanderson (Newhart) appears as a coke-bottle glasses wearing goon, and L.Q. Jones (The Mask of Zorro) is a retired ranger with a crazy streak. A slo-mo make-out scene involving a water hose and McQuade driving his supercharged truck out of a hole in the ground are other highlights. Perhaps the film is uneven with such bizarre characteristics combined with straight-laced action, but it all works to provide a thoroughly entertaining experience.

Some dismiss Norris and his films, but fans know there are some strong titles in his filmography. Missing in Action, Invasion U.S.A., Code of Silence, and The Delta Force are all strong action movies from the decade that brought the best in the genre. Even Sidekicks was an enjoyable Karate Kid ripoff. Lone Wolf McQuade is perhaps Norris' best film, and one of the best action movies of the 80's.

The Phantom: Slam Evil!

Back in the '90s, super hero movies were pretty limited. The Batman series was about it. Marvel had yet to release X-Men. While that and other projects that stormed theaters in the 2000's were in development, studios were clamoring to get their hands on anything resembling a super hero or comic book to snatch up money from anxious fans. Films such as Dick Tracy (1990), The Rocketeer (1991), and The Shadow (1994) featured pulpy characters in 1930's settings and met with some to little success. Another such character appeared in 1996 in the form of The Phantom, based on Lee Falk's comic strip that debuted in 1936. It starred Billy Zane in the title role, along with Kristy Swanson, Treat Williams, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. The Phantom did poorly at the box office and received mixed reviews. Since its release on home video, however, the film has developed a loyal following, and there have been rumors over the past few years of another feature film based on the character being developed.

I saw The Phantom back in '96 after it released on VHS. I had never been a big fan of the character, but was familiar with him and read the comic strip on occasion (it was the closest thing to a super hero in the funny papers). I remember enjoying the movie, but found it forgettable, especially since I didn't remember much about it upon seeing it again recently. The Phantom has improved with age. It's a fun movie that is pretty loyal to its source material. In an age when many super hero films go for the dark tone (which isn't always a bad thing), it was refreshing to see such a movie that didn't take itself too seriously and just has a good time with an enjoyable adventure.

The main villain, Xander Drax (yes, that's correct), is searching for three mystical skulls that, if brought together, will give the bearer incredible power. The Phantom, of course, has to stop him. The film moves from the jungle to New York City then back to another jungle for its conclusion. The pacing is never off as the story just moves ahead smoothly with never a dull moment. There are obvious influences from the Indiana Jones series, with impressive stunt work that is equal to anything done in those films. On top of that, all of the actors seem like they had fun making this movie, as it shows in all of the performances.

The Phantom is an enjoyable adventure. It's reminiscent of a time when movies were simply fun escapism. There's no hidden message. The hero isn't angst-filled. The Phantom wears a purple suit and no one hardly notices. Great stuff that deserves to be revisited.

The Phantom is available on DVD and Blu-Ray, but must be out of print and somewhat of a collector's item due to the high prices it fetches online. Worth the hunt for those who can't get enough superheroes.

Invaders from Mars: 80's Remake

Following the success of Poltergeist in 1982, director Tobe Hooper struck a three-picture deal with Cannon films, releasing Lifeforce in 1985, then Invaders from Mars in 1986. A remake of the classic 1953 sci-fi film of the same name, Invaders from Mars didn't make much of an impact at the box office, but has since gained a following that films of this nature tend to do, and has recently been released on Blu-ray.

David Gardner is an average kid who loves his family and lives in an average rural town. One night he is awakened by a loud noise outside and goes to the window to see a gigantic spaceship descending into the valley behind his house. His parents go to investigate, and they end up having their bodies taken over by an alien force. Soon David discovers that many people that he once trusted are alien pawns. The school nurse is the one adult he can find that hasn't been affected, and they go to the military, who utilize the duo's help in infiltrating the alien ship. A battle is waged between humans and the aliens with the fate of the world hanging in the balance.

Invaders from Mars was neither a hit nor did it fare well with critics. It seemed to fall into the category of many an 80's film that is perceived as not for children, when it is actually geared more for the younger set. Those who revisit the film or see it for the first time may have an appreciation for the practical sets and effects, and the nostalgia for the 80's. Yes, the film is cheesy, but it is fun to watch, even though the threat of the aliens is hard to take seriously.

Most of the performances in Invaders from Mars are so perfectly over the top that they actually help give the film it's goofy tone. The actors know what type of move they're making, and they give it their all. Louise Fletcher as David's teacher and James Karen as the general are standouts. Hunter Carson as the main character is actually the weakest link within the cast, as he doesn't seem to take his role seriously and actually seems bored in some scenes.

Invaders from Mars is more fun than scary, and is a feast for 80's nostalgia fiends. It offers a crash course in practical effects and sets, and although I haven't seen the original, it seems to honor what came before it. Recommended for genre fans, especially Shout! Factory' s great Blu-ray release that boast a few very nice features that give insight into the fun that went in to the making of the film.

Avengers: Age of Ultron: In Theaters Now

With 2012's The Avengers, Marvel Studios pulled off the unprecedented feat of bringing characters together that had already been featured in their own successful films and bringing audiences one of the biggest blockbusters of all time. The formula to build a "cinematic universe" over the course of a few years paid off in spades as anticipation built for the big team-up.

"Phase 2" began in 2013 with Iron Man 3, followed by Thor: The Dark World, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy. Avengers: Age of Ultron is actually the second to last entry in Phase 2, as Ant-Man will wrap things up in July, paving the way for Phase 3 starting with Captain America: Civil War in May of 2016. How long can the Marvel machine keep running? If Age of Ultron is any indication, for quite some time.

Tony Stark (Iron Man) has been busy developing an Artificial Intelligence program in order to create an armored robot weapon that would be a peacekeeping force worldwide. Code-named Ultron, the project takes on a life of its own when exposed to alien technology left behind from the first Avengers film. Ultron decides that the only way to truly have peace on earth is to remove mankind and start over. The Avengers are poised to stop him, running into some obstacles and also gaining new allies during their battle.

Age of Ultron starts off with a bang - an opening action sequence that gives fans more than enough of what they want until the next fight breaks out. Each action sequence easily provides fan-service as the characters play off each other and, as in the first film, each hero gets their own moment to shine. When the action is not happening, characterization remains strong, with both light and dramatic moments revealing more depth to both the heavy hitters and those who haven't had their own film. Hawkeye stands out mid-movie with some nice development and great lines. More is revealed about Black Widow' s past as well.

The best description for the film so far is that it's a five-part comic book story arc put on film, and that feels about right. Director Joss Whedon is obviously confident that the story can be faithful to the comics and still translate to film perfectly. New characters are introduced (Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Vision) without the need for too much exposition or scientific explanation. Anyone desiring more of that needs to remember they are watching a comic book movie. Ultron is a great villain, one of the best so far for Marvel films, and James Spacer does a great job giving the character an unexpected wit along with his sadistic side.

When all is said and done, The Avengers will always be remembered for being the first super hero movie to bring such popular characters together for a blockbuster like no other. Age of Ultron is a strong sequel, perhaps more enjoyable than the first now that the team has been together for a while and has a better repoor. The plot doesn't stray too far from the original film, but the action, character moments, and new heroes make it an excellent entry into the Marvel canon, and one that will be talked about and dissected by fans for years to come.

The Thing from Another World: Film Classic

Before viewing The Thing from Another World, I had never seen what would be considered a "classic" horror movie. Growing up in the 80's, Jason, Freddy, Michael Myers, etc were synonymous with the genre, and I was never all that  interested in these types of movies.  Unfortunately I didn't make it through the 80's and 90's without being subjected to a few of those. I saw them as basically reasons for people to come up with new ways to kill folks, upping the ante with each sequel (the original Halloween being the only exception). After sifting through what are considered classic films of this genre, I settled on The Thing From Another World, or, The Thing, for short.

The Thing begins with a group of Air Force troops stopping by a North Pole base to check out the crash of an unknown object. They discover that it was a flying saucer that crashed, and there is an alien being of some kind that is frozen in a block of ice. They take the block inside the base, and, of course, the alien escapes. The airmen and others on the base have to survive while they figure out a way to stop the creature.

One thing that I've noticed when watching classic films from the 30's through the 50's is that so many movies that come after them are heavily influenced by them. So much so that it makes the original source seem cliche, even though it isn't. Example: The scientist at the base wants to preserve the alien and study it, to the point that he seems "mad" by the story's end. Mad scientists are old hat these days, but back then they were few and far between. This film's influence has been so great that it has been remade twice (John Carpenter's 1982 gorefest and 2011's poorly received prequel/remake).

All in all I found The Thing to be refreshing. Instead of focusing on multiple killings and gross-out scenes, the film's pace is slow and steady as it introduces the characters, they find "The Thing", it escapes, and suspense builds. It's a simple cat and mouse game in a unique setting, and it was a precedent-setter.

Anyone looking for a classic staple in the sci-fi/horror genre need look no further than The Thing. It is available on DVD at a fairly inexpensive price, and should get a Blu-ray release before too long.

WarGames: Shall We Play a Game?

 
WarGames ended up as the number 5 box-office film of 1983, one of only two sci-fi films in the top 10 (the other being Return of the Jedi). The movie's depiction of computers seemed quite far fetched over thirty years ago, but now it doesn't seem so far removed from reality.

As David Lightman (Matthew Broderick) attempts to hack into a video game company's database, he inadvertently gains access to a NORAD computer control system known as WOPR (War Operation Plan Response). David thinks he's playing a game, but he is in fact toying with the computer that controls the nation's nuclear weapons systems.

It's a blast seeing the old technology David uses in his computer setup, from the modem and old school telephone to the giant floppy disks. The robot voice is reminiscent of a Speak & Spell, and the WOPR itself takes up an entire room. The NORAD control center still impresses with its large monitors and bustling atmosphere, and is loosely based on a real facility.

Performances in Wargames are solid all around, from Broderick and Ally Sheedy to John Wood, Dabney Coleman and Barry Corbin. The opening scene is one of the best in cinema, and sets the stage for the thriller that is to come. Wargames still holds up well all these years later due to the believability of the story (especially today), the characters' ability to make the viewer care about them, and the quick pace set by director John Badham.

Wargames remains popular today and is still quoted often. "Shall we play a game?" is commonly heard as a pop culture reference, most recently in last year's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. The film is a must-see for any 80's fan waxing nostalgic over the decade, or anyone looking for a good, solid entertaining thriller.

Enemy Mine: Rediscovered Gem

Some argue that science-fiction movies fell by the wayside after the conclusion of the Star Wars trilogy with Return of the Jedi in 1983. That was, however, not the case. In 1985, two of the top ten movies of the year were sci-fi: Back to the Future, one of the biggest films ever, and Cocoon. One such film that didn't fare so well that year was Enemy Mine.

Back in elementary school, my best friend threw epic sleepover birthday parties where he invited all the boys from our class to come over. He lived in the country, so we did cool things like go-cart riding, shooting guns (supervised, of course) and playing war games in the woods behind his house with water guns. We would also watch a movie late at night. One year the movie was Enemy Mine. It started with a pretty cool spaceship battle, then meandered into a tale of a human and an alien that crash-land on a planet and have to learn to get along. We all enjoyed the movie, talked about it for some time after seeing it, and imitated the alien's gurgle-ish voice for weeks. I have always had fond memories of those parties, including Enemy Mine. I thought it was time to revisit the film after 25 years or so.

Enemy Mine endured a troubled production, as it went through two directors and went way over budget. It was expected to be a big hit, but instead did quite poorly at the box office. It seemed to have done well on VHS and pay TV channels, however, as most adolescent boys in the 80's were familiar with the movie. The intent of the film is clear, as it sets out to be a big movie, but not just a sci-fi movie. It's character driven, and covers themes such as reconciliation, self-sacrifice, friendship, and loving your enemy. One of the most interesting scenes in the film has the main protagonist, Davidge (Dennis Quaid), reading from his new found alien friend's (Louis Gossett, Jr) book of sacred writings. He reads a passage about loving your enemies and forgiving them, then replies that he has read it before, in his world's sacred book. The alien responds with something along the lines of "truth is truth", and that it is universal. It's an obvious reference to Matthew 5:44 - "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you". Great lesson found from an unlikely source.

Enemy Mine was ambitious. The sets are impressive and still hold up quite well. Many of the special effects still look good (the space battle scene), others not so much (some of the alien creatures on the planet). The makeup job on Louis Gossett, Jr is pretty amazing, and his portrayal of the alien, as well as Dennis Quaid's acting, are excellent. The first act of the movie seems a bit rushed, as the two characters are dumped on the planet together, begin to form a friendship, and learn each others' language very quickly, even though a long passage of time is implied. It just would have made the bond between the two a bit more powerful if they had taken a little longer to get along. The movie pushes the boundaries of sci-fi weirdness when the alien is revealed to be pregnant (the aliens are genderless and asexual) and later has a baby. Once the climax of the film is reached it is basically a rescue story, and quite an exciting one at that.

For some reason, movie goers didn't latch on to this film. Maybe it was the familiar theme of two enemies stranded together, which wasn't exactly new. It could have been the alien baby weirdness. Maybe it was the awful movie poster. Since the 80's the movie has fallen into obscurity and is only appreciated by die-hard fans. It's worth a look and offers something unique in the genre. Enemy Mine is available on DVD, as well as an out-of-print limited edition Blu-Ray that fetches astronomical prices on auction sites.

Space Raiders: Star Wars Cash Grab

1983. The year of Return of the Jedi. The Star Wars trilogy was complete, and sci-fi films had been enjoying a resurgence in popularity. Some films released during this era are classics of the genre (Alien, Close Encounters, Star Trek II). Others have enjoyed  a smaller cult status (Tron, The Last Starfighter). Then there are films like Space Raiders.

Infamous B-movie king Roger Corman saw the opportunity to quickly get a science-fiction kids movie released to piggyback on the success of Star Wars. Scenes from previous films of his, mainly Battle Beyond the Stars from 1980, were cobbled together with new footage to create Space Raiders. A story about a young boy who stows away on a ship full of space pirates is surrounded by footage of space battles from the previous films.

Space Raiders was cheap to make, and it shows. The opening scene takes place in a warehouse that is supposed to be futuristic, yet it looks like a plain old warehouse from 1983. The space battles show the same ships exploding several times over. The dialogue is dreadful. Space Raiders is a terrible movie, but is it so bad that it's good? Most casual movie watchers wouldn't get very far with this one, but those who enjoy 1980's cheese will find something to enjoy here.

Yes, the movie is cheap. Yes it's a blatant Star Wars rip-off, right down to a cantina scene with musical aliens. Still, there's a charm about it. In a way it's fun to watch what the film makers did with what little they had and still try to produce something entertaining. The actors give their all despite a lousy script, especially Vince Edwards as gruff space pirate Hawk. The film also features the debut of David Mendenhall, who would later co-star with Sylvester Stallone in another 80's cheese-fest, Over the Top.

Space Raiders recently released on limited-edition Blu-ray, limited no doubt to the little interest the film still generates. A nice interview with David Mendenhall is included, who fondly remembers making the film and respects its fans, yet still knows what type of film was made. Recommended only for die hard fans of the genre or sci-fi completists.