This film is another edition in the "Under the Radar Video" series library. The film is also kind of a childhood gem of mine as it really was the very first spy film I've seen. I was still too young to see any of the Bond movie, however being an action film fan, it didn't stop me as I was able to catch this on HBO just when my parents got cable, I really liked watching the film then and still do today; as it was the film that got me into the Spy genre and even the Bond series.
The film really was unique for its time as there really wasn't any like it from the spy genre at the time; in a way the film sort of predates the films "True Lies", "Agent Cody Banks 1 and 2" and the TV show "Chuck". The film was directed by William Dear whom I think is an underrated director that has a colorful record, of course the guy is known for directing the 80's classic "Harry and the Hendersons" (another under the radar video gem and story for another time).
Yes, the premise is a wild one and that's part of why I like it because what makes this fun and funny is that it's all really one big wish fulfillment fantasy. We've all had those feelings on most days or even when in a rut in our lives where we wish and dream of being somewhere else and doing something else. But also, where you're a fan of the Bond franchise or even a fan of something else, whenever we watch films and TV shows sometimes, we dream we are that person or we're fighting alongside that group of characters. This film shows what happens when you get that chance and get to do and be what you dream of. Though also the film is a bit of a love letter to the Bond franchise, you can tell from the title that looks like another title for a Bond film; along with the familiar tropes, elements, and clenches in those films and sometimes other spy movies, that love is there.
I like the plotline of the film which I feel is well thought out because it's plausible who's to say no criminal mastermind or organization hasn't thought of this or is trying now. Trying to steal and take control of the country's economy, to take control of a country. But it's also a bit of a nod to the original Bond novel series, as the book series had plotlines that were more down to Earth, which were the kind I personally liked the most because there was actual weight to them.
The action is decent, it's not really anything to run home about but it's still fun all the same and there are some good moments. One of the highlights is of course the gadgets, which are fun and obviously an homage and slightly exaggerated parody toward the Roger Moore run of James Bond which was the most gadget savvy. From the car, which is cool as always, but one favorite gadget of mine is the explosive chewing gum which was also used in the first movie in the Tom Cruise "Mission Impossible" run; wonder if the writer of that film saw this movie.
But what really powers the film are the cast and the characters. This film has a good cast from Roger Rees who plays the main villain who has a pretty cool ironic last name Stranko which sounds like strangle. Which suits him as his plight is to put a stranglehold on his home country. But really like his performance as he's the archetypical James Bond megalomaniac villain, but he does it so well as he has this ridged menace to him. One moment I like is how he delivers his monologue in that dinner table scene to Michael, from what he says and that look in his eyes you can tell how deep in his delusions of grandeur he's in and how long he's been going crazy.
Linda Hunt another of my favorite actresses, and of course forever remembered as the mystic narrator of the "God of War" video game series and from the TV series "NCIS L. A.". Her character is obviously a homage to the female assassin character from "From Russia with Love". She's small but deadly, as we see she's armed with this necklace bull whip. Which is cool but at the same time absurd, like what kind of metal is it made of, for a necklace to be able to suddenly change size. Linda does the villainous archetype well, she's kind of dryly and blackly funny as she has some memorable lines.
Gabrille Anwar another underrated actress I like that should have had more for the silver screen back then, yeah this was another celeb crush I had when I was a kid; but also remember her from the TV series "Burn Notice". Seeing her in this film is interesting as she's another one of those actresses that looked radically different back then, you almost think they're not the same person but it's true about age how sometimes we can look different from then and now. Anyway, really like her character as she's sort of that Bond girl (shame she wasn't of been in the Pierce Brosnan Bond run), but she's got a good persona as he's got some fire in her as she's determined to accomplish a mission. But also, like that she can hold her own against danger, so she's not a stereotypical damsel in distress.
But of course, we have our main hero played well by Richard Greaco whom is another underrated actor that also should have had more for the silver screen back then, the fact he didn't was another in the long grocery list of lost opportunities. It's too bad as he's a solid actor, of course he's well remembered in the role of Booker in the show "21 Jump Street", which of course lead to that spin off show "Booker" (another under the radar gem and story for another time).
Really like the role he plays her where he's pretty much an ordinary guy; and just to get the elephant out of the room yeah, I know a bit old for high school especially graduating it. But the same can be said for the rest of the students in the film, as well as cast members in certain movies and TV shows out there playing teens or young adults. Though this is probably intentional, a joke on that notion but probably necessary as an actually teenage actor couldn't pass in the role especially when they have to go to a casino or anything else that's adults only.
But still Richard's performance as Michael Corben was solid, I actually bought him as a teenager or should I say a young adult. I like with his character the whole thing is sort of a coming-of-age story in a way; as there is the theme of taking responsibility in life and following through on them.
Throughout the film Michael is kind of a slacker as he's irresponsible, despite smart he doesn't follow through on things when he should. You can say the whole crazy journey Mike is on is one hell of an education on responsibility. I really like how he reacts to things as it feels like any other ordinary person would as he's disoriented but also fascinated with the whole spy business suddenly dropped on his lap.
One of the things that funny and amazing about Michael is how lucky he is; he's as lucky as the mutant heroine Domino in the "X-Force" comics. I really like how the element of luck is applied in the film which has weight, it at times might seem like a stretch but it's a movie you just roll with it. This luck he has really comes in handy as it protects and even saves his life a time or two. But we all know luck can only take you so far, it can give you what you need and take you where you need to go but then at some point you must make your own. From how serious things get we see Mike slowly realize it's not a game and he needs to step up to the plate, doing what needs to be done, or he really is going to lose everything and there are no second chances for it.
This is a hidden spy movie gem worth a look. Looks aren't everything but can truly kill, if your not looking right.
Rating: 3 stars.
The film really was unique for its time as there really wasn't any like it from the spy genre at the time; in a way the film sort of predates the films "True Lies", "Agent Cody Banks 1 and 2" and the TV show "Chuck". The film was directed by William Dear whom I think is an underrated director that has a colorful record, of course the guy is known for directing the 80's classic "Harry and the Hendersons" (another under the radar video gem and story for another time).
Yes, the premise is a wild one and that's part of why I like it because what makes this fun and funny is that it's all really one big wish fulfillment fantasy. We've all had those feelings on most days or even when in a rut in our lives where we wish and dream of being somewhere else and doing something else. But also, where you're a fan of the Bond franchise or even a fan of something else, whenever we watch films and TV shows sometimes, we dream we are that person or we're fighting alongside that group of characters. This film shows what happens when you get that chance and get to do and be what you dream of. Though also the film is a bit of a love letter to the Bond franchise, you can tell from the title that looks like another title for a Bond film; along with the familiar tropes, elements, and clenches in those films and sometimes other spy movies, that love is there.
I like the plotline of the film which I feel is well thought out because it's plausible who's to say no criminal mastermind or organization hasn't thought of this or is trying now. Trying to steal and take control of the country's economy, to take control of a country. But it's also a bit of a nod to the original Bond novel series, as the book series had plotlines that were more down to Earth, which were the kind I personally liked the most because there was actual weight to them.
The action is decent, it's not really anything to run home about but it's still fun all the same and there are some good moments. One of the highlights is of course the gadgets, which are fun and obviously an homage and slightly exaggerated parody toward the Roger Moore run of James Bond which was the most gadget savvy. From the car, which is cool as always, but one favorite gadget of mine is the explosive chewing gum which was also used in the first movie in the Tom Cruise "Mission Impossible" run; wonder if the writer of that film saw this movie.
But what really powers the film are the cast and the characters. This film has a good cast from Roger Rees who plays the main villain who has a pretty cool ironic last name Stranko which sounds like strangle. Which suits him as his plight is to put a stranglehold on his home country. But really like his performance as he's the archetypical James Bond megalomaniac villain, but he does it so well as he has this ridged menace to him. One moment I like is how he delivers his monologue in that dinner table scene to Michael, from what he says and that look in his eyes you can tell how deep in his delusions of grandeur he's in and how long he's been going crazy.
Linda Hunt another of my favorite actresses, and of course forever remembered as the mystic narrator of the "God of War" video game series and from the TV series "NCIS L. A.". Her character is obviously a homage to the female assassin character from "From Russia with Love". She's small but deadly, as we see she's armed with this necklace bull whip. Which is cool but at the same time absurd, like what kind of metal is it made of, for a necklace to be able to suddenly change size. Linda does the villainous archetype well, she's kind of dryly and blackly funny as she has some memorable lines.
Gabrille Anwar another underrated actress I like that should have had more for the silver screen back then, yeah this was another celeb crush I had when I was a kid; but also remember her from the TV series "Burn Notice". Seeing her in this film is interesting as she's another one of those actresses that looked radically different back then, you almost think they're not the same person but it's true about age how sometimes we can look different from then and now. Anyway, really like her character as she's sort of that Bond girl (shame she wasn't of been in the Pierce Brosnan Bond run), but she's got a good persona as he's got some fire in her as she's determined to accomplish a mission. But also, like that she can hold her own against danger, so she's not a stereotypical damsel in distress.
But of course, we have our main hero played well by Richard Greaco whom is another underrated actor that also should have had more for the silver screen back then, the fact he didn't was another in the long grocery list of lost opportunities. It's too bad as he's a solid actor, of course he's well remembered in the role of Booker in the show "21 Jump Street", which of course lead to that spin off show "Booker" (another under the radar gem and story for another time).
Really like the role he plays her where he's pretty much an ordinary guy; and just to get the elephant out of the room yeah, I know a bit old for high school especially graduating it. But the same can be said for the rest of the students in the film, as well as cast members in certain movies and TV shows out there playing teens or young adults. Though this is probably intentional, a joke on that notion but probably necessary as an actually teenage actor couldn't pass in the role especially when they have to go to a casino or anything else that's adults only.
But still Richard's performance as Michael Corben was solid, I actually bought him as a teenager or should I say a young adult. I like with his character the whole thing is sort of a coming-of-age story in a way; as there is the theme of taking responsibility in life and following through on them.
Throughout the film Michael is kind of a slacker as he's irresponsible, despite smart he doesn't follow through on things when he should. You can say the whole crazy journey Mike is on is one hell of an education on responsibility. I really like how he reacts to things as it feels like any other ordinary person would as he's disoriented but also fascinated with the whole spy business suddenly dropped on his lap.
One of the things that funny and amazing about Michael is how lucky he is; he's as lucky as the mutant heroine Domino in the "X-Force" comics. I really like how the element of luck is applied in the film which has weight, it at times might seem like a stretch but it's a movie you just roll with it. This luck he has really comes in handy as it protects and even saves his life a time or two. But we all know luck can only take you so far, it can give you what you need and take you where you need to go but then at some point you must make your own. From how serious things get we see Mike slowly realize it's not a game and he needs to step up to the plate, doing what needs to be done, or he really is going to lose everything and there are no second chances for it.
This is a hidden spy movie gem worth a look. Looks aren't everything but can truly kill, if your not looking right.
Rating: 3 stars.