Why, why, why do these formulaic "vigilante" movies keep proliferating by the numbers? Anyway, Martin Kove stars in this occasionally exciting action picture as Lt. John Steele, a disgruntled, Vietnam veteran. Steele unfortunately is not able to find his niche in America. For example, he keeps losing his jobs, he continues missing his many opportunities, and his wife, Tracey (Sela Ward) is divorcing him. Steele himself...is just a raging drunk.
Twelve years ago, in the year 1975 (STEELE JUSTICE takes place in 1987, a.k.a. the so-called "modern times."), Steele was an honorable soldier, fighting alongside with his friend, Lee Van Tranh (Robert Kim). The two were tough soldier boys, fighting in the Vietnam War at Chi Chu Province. Steele and Lee were ambushed by one of their most formidable allies, General Bon Soong Kwan (Soon Teck-Oh). Both Steele and Lee have fallen for Kwan's trap and they have taken the bait. Kwan has just embezzled 20 million dollars worth of "lost" CIA gold and now, he's leaving Vietnam as a rich man. As Kwan quoted himself, "The war is over." Kwan shoots both Steele and Lee, leaving them for dead... However, Steele is resilient, like so many other hardened souls...
Now heading to 1987, Steele must forget about his troubled past, and continue on with his life; but as he has gradually learned, the war isn't over, it has "just changed location." In a violent shoot-out, Steele's best friend and old Vietnam War buddy, Lee was shot and murdered by a ruthless group of underlings controlled by the modern Vietnamese Mafia in Southern California. Their emblem is best known as the "Black Tigers." People shall remember their name. Guess who are the ringleaders? They are none other than General Kwan himself, and his son, Pham (Peter Kwong). Kwan himself has now become a powerful drug lord in Southern California, systematically creating fear among the Vietnamese communities. His spread of narcotics and his reign of power are more powerful than ever...
It is now up to the aggressive, over-the-hill once proud marine John Steele to find a way to avenge the murder of his best friend, Lee, and Lee's family. Steele must also take care of Lee's daughter, Cami (Jan Gan Boyd) as well as fight the corrupted Vietnamese Mafia, the Black Tigers. Steele will take no prisoners as this tough-as-nails Vietnam Vet will unleash a new way to annihilate the sadistic drug lords... With no help from the skeptical police, Steele must utilize his own firepower and skill to stop Lee's murderers not to mention the elite drug traffickers...
John Steele obviously has a proclivity to use violent methods to teach the bad guys some respect. However, in real life, one must learn that "revenge" does not justify brutality...
STEELE JUSTICE is cliché, violent, and even jingoistic at times. It has bursts of action and there are tons of explosions in this film, but the retribution formula is so obtrusively used frequently that this once fresh and innovative concept has become mere platitude. STEELE JUSTICE offers absolutely nothing new to the action genre. In fact, the story of a bitter ex-military soldier going on a retaliation spree is strikingly baring resemblance to an earlier film, James Glickenhaus' THE EXTERMINATOR (1980). In turn, the character THE EXTERMINATOR is a rip-off of Charles Bronson in DEATH WISH (1974). Talk about credibility here, folks!
Again, STEELE JUSTICE is a trite, superficial action film that is indistinguishable from a whole bunch of already made action films, languishing on the video shelves. This film features a better cast than usual. Included in the ensemble are Ronny Cox, Bernie Casey, Asher Brauner, Al Leong, and (down guys), Shannon Tweed. She does sport a nice bikini. STEELE JUSTICE is a violent thriller that has some explosive firepower and a cool climax. (CAUTION: *SPOILER...* Anybody who intends to see this movie should skip the next two sentences.) This is where Steele uses a tank to blow away the bad guys. Now that is what he calls "Steele Justice!"
The high energy violence compensates for an otherwise routine action film that has Steele and company delivering too many wisecracks to each other as well. If you enjoy action films, STEELE JUSTICE is mediocre at best. There's enough action in this flick; but it's just the racially biased undertones which I also despise...
Frankly, this movie does have a lot more racial bigotry then intended. Asians especially may be offended by the stereotypes portrayed in this movie. (i.e. Asian youth gangs, etc.) If it were not for the potential racism, then this film might have had a chance of earning a higher rating. Oh well, too bad!
Yes, the video cover looks spectacular, but you cannot judge a movie by it's cover art...
RATING: *1/2 out of ****.
Twelve years ago, in the year 1975 (STEELE JUSTICE takes place in 1987, a.k.a. the so-called "modern times."), Steele was an honorable soldier, fighting alongside with his friend, Lee Van Tranh (Robert Kim). The two were tough soldier boys, fighting in the Vietnam War at Chi Chu Province. Steele and Lee were ambushed by one of their most formidable allies, General Bon Soong Kwan (Soon Teck-Oh). Both Steele and Lee have fallen for Kwan's trap and they have taken the bait. Kwan has just embezzled 20 million dollars worth of "lost" CIA gold and now, he's leaving Vietnam as a rich man. As Kwan quoted himself, "The war is over." Kwan shoots both Steele and Lee, leaving them for dead... However, Steele is resilient, like so many other hardened souls...
Now heading to 1987, Steele must forget about his troubled past, and continue on with his life; but as he has gradually learned, the war isn't over, it has "just changed location." In a violent shoot-out, Steele's best friend and old Vietnam War buddy, Lee was shot and murdered by a ruthless group of underlings controlled by the modern Vietnamese Mafia in Southern California. Their emblem is best known as the "Black Tigers." People shall remember their name. Guess who are the ringleaders? They are none other than General Kwan himself, and his son, Pham (Peter Kwong). Kwan himself has now become a powerful drug lord in Southern California, systematically creating fear among the Vietnamese communities. His spread of narcotics and his reign of power are more powerful than ever...
It is now up to the aggressive, over-the-hill once proud marine John Steele to find a way to avenge the murder of his best friend, Lee, and Lee's family. Steele must also take care of Lee's daughter, Cami (Jan Gan Boyd) as well as fight the corrupted Vietnamese Mafia, the Black Tigers. Steele will take no prisoners as this tough-as-nails Vietnam Vet will unleash a new way to annihilate the sadistic drug lords... With no help from the skeptical police, Steele must utilize his own firepower and skill to stop Lee's murderers not to mention the elite drug traffickers...
John Steele obviously has a proclivity to use violent methods to teach the bad guys some respect. However, in real life, one must learn that "revenge" does not justify brutality...
STEELE JUSTICE is cliché, violent, and even jingoistic at times. It has bursts of action and there are tons of explosions in this film, but the retribution formula is so obtrusively used frequently that this once fresh and innovative concept has become mere platitude. STEELE JUSTICE offers absolutely nothing new to the action genre. In fact, the story of a bitter ex-military soldier going on a retaliation spree is strikingly baring resemblance to an earlier film, James Glickenhaus' THE EXTERMINATOR (1980). In turn, the character THE EXTERMINATOR is a rip-off of Charles Bronson in DEATH WISH (1974). Talk about credibility here, folks!
Again, STEELE JUSTICE is a trite, superficial action film that is indistinguishable from a whole bunch of already made action films, languishing on the video shelves. This film features a better cast than usual. Included in the ensemble are Ronny Cox, Bernie Casey, Asher Brauner, Al Leong, and (down guys), Shannon Tweed. She does sport a nice bikini. STEELE JUSTICE is a violent thriller that has some explosive firepower and a cool climax. (CAUTION: *SPOILER...* Anybody who intends to see this movie should skip the next two sentences.) This is where Steele uses a tank to blow away the bad guys. Now that is what he calls "Steele Justice!"
The high energy violence compensates for an otherwise routine action film that has Steele and company delivering too many wisecracks to each other as well. If you enjoy action films, STEELE JUSTICE is mediocre at best. There's enough action in this flick; but it's just the racially biased undertones which I also despise...
Frankly, this movie does have a lot more racial bigotry then intended. Asians especially may be offended by the stereotypes portrayed in this movie. (i.e. Asian youth gangs, etc.) If it were not for the potential racism, then this film might have had a chance of earning a higher rating. Oh well, too bad!
Yes, the video cover looks spectacular, but you cannot judge a movie by it's cover art...
RATING: *1/2 out of ****.