Reviews (64)

"RED WEST IS GREAT IN THIS MOVIE!!!"
I couldn't believe my eyes last night when I was watching ALL THE KING'S MEN:THE SECRET LIFE OF ELVIS, about Elvis' so-called Memphis Mafia, when I got so fascinated by these men and their behind-the-scenes stories about the King, and then one of them started to look familiar..."Wait a minute!" I thought, "That red headed man looks like the guy from ROADHOUSE!!!" I remembered hearing about Red West years ago but I didn't know he was an actor and so I just looked him up on the cast list for ROADHOUSE and there he was!

This is an entertaining movie, with a good hero, terrific supporting actors, and Ben Gazzara is just right as the small town mean rich guy! The women are attractive, and the bar scenes are a lot of fun, too. I just wish the story had been written to lead to a sequel, and that Sam Elliot hadn't been killed off, as he and Swayze worked well together.

The photography is excellent, and there are several unusual character actors. And one other thing... RED WEST IS GREAT IN THIS MOVIE!!!

A Movie for Guys Who Like Movies
In the grand tradition of fight now, ask questions later, comes Road House. Patrick Swayze is Dalton. He is the new breed of bar bouncers. Calling himself the cooler, Dalton is small, a martial arts expert, and he has a degree in psychology. This means bad news for the regulars at the Duece, Duece because Dalton has been hired to clean it up. And clean it up he does. But first he had to personally put every piece of bad element he doesn't want out on their rear ends. Everything seems to be going right until Dalton runs head to head with Brad Wesley(Ben Gazzera). Wesley is like the town's dictator, he owns a piece of just about every business in town and he doesn't like Dalton's presence one bit. Lucky for the audience one of them must go and Dalton isn't one to budge easily.

This is a guys movie all the way. Swayze is awesome as Dalton. He is cool, confident, and tough as nails. Gazzera is good as the villian and he sends plenty of thugs over to the Duece, Duece to keep the action coming. Sam Elliot is great in his supporting role as Dalton's mentor, Wade Garrett. And of course there has to be women, and there are, but none hotter than Kelly Lynch, Dalton's love interest. Roadhouse never slows down. It has a great soundtrack and it is well directed. It's just a fun movie.

response to "what hasnt been said before"
like everyone says its a guy flick that does not disappoint. however like the other reviewer i also notice little mistakes and the biggest one in this movie is when Dalton is "asked" to attend a meeting with Brad over breakfast......when dalton walks in there is pool table with NO pockets! jeez you'd think the set guys coulda borrowed a real pool table for the shot?

A film that delivers just what it promises -- that's rare!
Mike Nelson, one of the brains behind the television comedy 'Mystery Science Theater 3000' wrote in his hysterical book 'Mike Nelson's Movie Megacheese' that ' ROAD HOUSE is the single finest American film. Certainly it stinks, but I believe the filmmakers meant it to, and succeeded grandly.'

It's hard to argue with this logic once you've seen 'Road House.' It's trash. It's sleazy. It's often ludicrously stupid. The characters may talk philosophical bilge, but when it comes down to it they solve everything with their fists and shotguns. But that's what the filmmakers wanted, and that's what they deliver. (What do you expect from a director named 'Rowdy'?) Looking for a good time along those lines? Just want some butt-kickin', naked girls, barroom brawls, monster trucks, things going BOOM, Patrick Swayze mouthing silly lines and wrestling mean sweaty ugly guys while near naked, yet still getting up for his tai-chi in the morning? Well, 'Road House' has got all that and more, and you're going to have a good time. There's trashy purity about this film that's rather refreshing.

The plot? Yeah, it's got one ' just enough of one. Patrick Swayze (in what is really the defining role of his career) plays Dalton, a famous bouncer with a degree in philosophy, an attitude like a motivational speaker, kick-boxing moves, and who practices tai-chi. Dalton is one of the damned silliest characters in action film history, but you gotta love his outrageousness. Dalton comes to the town of Jasper outside of Kansas City to help clean up the Double Deuce bar, possibly the meanest bar in cinema history outside of a Western. Dalton whips the place into shape, romances local doctor Kelly Lynch, but then has to face the evil town boss, Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara!), who won't release his financial grip of fear he has on the town. (I believe this was the plot of every A-Team episode, wasn't it?). Every few minutes, people pound each other with their fists, the band plays a loud blues tune, somebody takes off their clothes, and then they knock back some 'suds. Oh, and Sam Elliott's in the film too!

The action scenes are pretty darned wacky, along the lines of 'gee, imagine if he had hit him!' and plenty of strange martial arts moves, but they're loads of fun. Get a group together with the right mindset, and this is once great party flick.

The DVD has no extras except for a trailer. Imagine what this would have been like with some audio commentary from director Rowdy? I would love to hear his philosophical approach to this film. I'm sure he didn't have one, but wouldn't it have added to enjoyment of what Mike Nelson calls 'the finest American film' to hear him just make one up?

At this point, I'm sure you know if 'Road House' is a flick for you. And if you know, go for it. It doesn't let you down. If it delivers the goods it promises, it gets four stars in my book. Even if it really isn't that good. But I think that's the point.

That's right. FIVE stars.
Road House is the sort of movie that critics reflexively dismiss as being a cheesy, corny, poorly written, moronic action movie, but I see it differently. It is kind of cheesy, with Dalton being a famous traveling bouncer with only one name, but it shines in every other area. The dialogue is good enough, the story is involving, Patrick Swayze and Sam Elliot are truly great actors, there's a nice amount of gratuitous female nudity, and the fight scenes are some of the best I've ever seen. This is the ultimate guy movie. And as far as Joel Silver's work goes, I think Road House is better than the Matrix sequels. I've seen it at least 10 times and it hasn't gotten old. ... Read more

Description

Sawa may seem innocent and naïve, but don't be fooled. She's a cold-blooded killer, and if you're on the wrong side of the law, you may be her next target. Not content to just watch as the imperfect justice system frees more criminals each day, a detective trained Sawa to be his instrument of justice. Now she will go to any length to execute her targets. ... Read more

Reviews (84)

I would recommend the uncut version, but still a great movie
"Kite" has been one of the hardest movies to find uncut for a long time, and for good reason. "Kite" has scenes of very graphic rape and raw violence and gore. But none of it is gratuitous, it all adds to the amazing story.

"Kite" brings to mind the movie "The Professional," but with a bit of a twist. In "The Professional," a young girl's family is killed and a kind assasin takes her in and teaches her the way of the hired hitman. In "Kite," Sawa's parents are murdered and she is taken in by the man who killed them, he forces her to become an assassin for her and also his sexual slave. Sawa is connected to him by dependence and hate. When she meets a fellow orphan and assassin, the handsome and destructive Oburi, she is given another path.

"Kite" is not for the squeamish or faint of heart. The killings in the film are treated with such nonchalance that it affects you all the more. You are instantly attached to Sawa, despite her unblinking view of murder. "Kite" definitely has heartfelt moments in it too. The calm innocence Sawa and Oburi share together keeps you close to the characters.

I gave this movie a 4 star rating, only because this is the edited version. The uncut version of "Kite" is available now. You can buy it on animecastle.com, and I would definitely recommend the uncut over the cut.

A mesmerizing movie!
Wow, this is an amazing movie. This is the "cut" version, but it is still great. I had the fortune of obtaining the Uncut version, and while it has more "graphic" everything, this is still a good version.

This story is about Sawa, a young girl, who was orphaned when her parents were murdered. She is taken in and "adopted" by Akai, the Police Detective assigned to her parents murder investigation. Sawa, reminiscant of "La Femme Nikita" is an assasian of sorts. Ordered about by her keeper Akia, she must do his bidding. Sawa meets Oburi, yet another vigilante such as she, a young man, and sparks fly. They develop a friendship of sorts. While Sawa is a girl of few words, her face and expressions speak a thousand of them.

I absolutely loved this movie. If you love a good Japanese anime, then this is for you. If you love a good action packed flick, then this is for you. The animation is so well drawn, it is mind boggling. The scenes are so realistic, but the storyline is definately NOT for children. I give this movie two thumbs up, and so will you!

A Little Too Much
I usually like a little darkness in anime shows; however the uncut version was just a bit too much. Frankly if you get a kick out of men taking advantage of young girls, don't hesitate to check it out. The movie was about a young girl who gets tricked into working for the very man who killed her family. She is trained to be a killer by her family's murderer and goes around killing people. She meets up with another guy assasin who is closer to her age; and of course, they fall in love. Then of course, she is supposed to kill him. In the end they both get revenge on the bad guys; but, like all anime, there is that little twist in the end. Blah, blah blah.
This movie left me feeling dirty and depressed. For anyone who gets their kicks out of sick shows and love being shocked, this is your movie. If you would rather watch a show that has some darkness, but yet some deep meaning, watch "Now and Then, Here and There", "Hellsing", or "Battle Angel". At least there is some discretion used in these movies and series.

Director's Cut version
when the print says "Absolutely not for children" they weren't joking around! I'm an adult so the gratuotis sex/rape scenes didn't really bother me. It actually played a part in the movie so it wasn't neccessarily random and pointless that the makers included those scenes. The action is decent and the Sawa reminds me of Matilda in the movie Leon: The Professional. Clocking in at 60 minutes it was all so short. if it was longer and more to it I would definately vote it 5 stars. I'm glad it's part of my collection none the less. The flashbacks help tell the story of the characters and allow the viewer to follw the movie easily. I'm glad the ending left off like it did. It's good to see that not all films end on a positive happy go lucky tip. In a way it was a new beginning for Sawa which was a positive in itself. Length of movie was the biggest minus i can think of. Not for the faint of heart! Recommended. B+

Terrific movie integrating true reflections human complexity
I have seen the original Japanese uncut version, which, since it's from Japan, contains much more sexual and gore content.

But don't be confused. This is not some cheap porno cartoon. The movie itself has a very twisted, but deep and many sad parts. The creator here has a movie that will really intrigue you as you watch this movie.

It's much deeper than an action movie. Tons of human emotions are involved.

Highly recommended for Anime Fans who are Adults. It's not appropriate for children. ... Read more

Reviews (124)

Easily John Woo/Chow Yun Fat's best!
The Killer is a beautiful action/drama masterpiece. It is the best work I have yet to see done by both director John Woo and HK superstar Chow Yun Fat(both of whose movies I am familiar with.) The rest of the cast (including Danny Lee and Sally Yeh) are superb. The sheer grace and flair of the seamlessly choreographed gunfights to the poignancy of the gripping story of a professional hitman trying to cut clean, while gradually falling in love with a victim he accidently blinds in a shootout are all executed perfectly. This movie is not your standard action fare, as it goes deep into the mind of the killers, and depicts the characters trying to live a life that is honorable in a world that is so corrupt and sinister. The bottom line of the movie is quoted by CYF toward the beginning of the film: "Not everybody in this world is untrustworthy." Underlying the blazing guns and implied emotional battles, lies a tale of loyalty, trust and friendship. John Woo epitimizes this movie by proving that the action is not present simply for the sake of action, but instead for clean moviemaking and plot. As for the quality of the DVD itself, the picture is very clear for an older movie (1989) and the features and menu setup is very stylishly done... just don't watch the trailers, they do severe injustice to the featured films (The Killer and Hard Boiled) and contain spoilers. For hardcore HK movie buffs, the Cantonese language track with English subtitles is the definite route to take. The English track is butchered and incomplete, not to mention hard to understand and silly-sounding. I highly recomend watching this movie in it's original language (the way it was intended to be heard) as it is much more powerful this way. If you plan on purchasing this movie, though, I would instead recommend you buy the John Woo 2 DVD pack, which includes both this edition of The Killer and also Hard Boiled, another John Woo/CYF compilation.

The Story of a Hitman with a Heart
Because I'm a 13 year old boy(and a fan of Chow Yun-Fat and John Woo), I was just looking for the best action movie of all time. I ended up with something better, a dramatic, well though-out action film. It may not be "The Matrix", but "The Killer" was awesome. It was a movie filled with mayhem and bullets. And there was so much action. Jeffrey is a hitman with a heart who, during his last hit, accidentally blinds a woman with a gun. Because he's not a cold-hearted hitman, he decides to do one more hit to pay for an operation that will keep her from going blind. Lee is a cop who wants to stop Jeffrey from making his last hit. Jeffrey is betrayed by the mob that hired him and is put in war against all odds. Jeffrey and Lee put aside their differences to blur the line between them. Together they blast through the war leading to a climatic battle that is John Woo's best battle ever. Even though I'm only 13, I know good acting when I see it. This movie has been throned "THE Movie of Mayhem".Don't bother renting it, just buy the DVD.

"One Vicious Hitman. One Fierce Cop. Ten Thousand Bullets."

John Woo & Chow Yun Fat...nuff said!
The Killer is the perfect example of cinema in its most powerful form. Expression...every bullet, every conversation & every scene just flows so beautifully & expressively it just blows me away. Unexplainable. Very deep & mythological story, unlike anything ive ever seen! U just have to see it. & see it. It will make u think to yourself, "what the hell is the average Hollywood budget gettin wasted on?? Promotion!!?? " John Woo on the other hand does not need $100,000,000 to truley express himself, hell, he doesn't even need the highest quality celluloid to make his films stunningly beatiful.. The Killer is no exception, John Woo is such a masterful director, no wonder why Hollywood have been ripping him off long before they invited him to join 'em!
& unlike most action films of mindless "invincibilty" plots & stupid reasons for massive shootouts, this has a cause for every piece of stunningly choerographed action...& consequences to join the equation.
If youve only seen Chow Yun Fat in his American films (Replacement Killers & Bulletproof Monk e.t.c), you really havent his true styles & capabilities. Get THE KILLER, & youll know why Hollywood have copied J.Woo's style of genius direction more times than a photo-copier has copied paper!
This is John Woo at his purest form, & Chow in his true style.
The John Woo & Chow Yun Fat combo is like the Sergio Leone & Clint Eastwood combo= Classics!
Get this if u like a deep, moving story, awesome acting, & action that sychronizes perfectly. (Also check out other J. Woo classics, Hard Boiled, A Better Tommorow 1 & 2, & Bullet in the Head!)
.....Nobody does action like Honk Kong...Nobody does Honk Kong like John Woo...

Best...action movie...ever!
Filled with grit, emotion, and psychological depth, not to mention lots and lots of blood, "The Killer" is the kind of passion play that is seen all too rarely in any style of film, let alone the action genre. In fact, John Woo's Hong Kong shoot-'em-up masterpiece resembles nothing so much as Shakespeare with thousands of bullets flying around. In this case the role of the tragic hero is assumed by Jeffrey, played in career-defining fashion by Chow Yun-Fat. Jeffrey is an amiable enough sort, who also just happens to be a fearless, unstoppable assassin with a steely glare and a deadly accurate shot. But when he accidentally blinds a lovely torch singer named Jenny while mowing down about a dozen criminals in a crowded bar, Jeffrey finds some new meaning in his life by assuming responsibility for the woman, even going so far as to try to get her a vision-restoring cornea transplant. However, everything is far from hunky-dory for Jeffrey and his ward: after committing one last job to get the money for Jenny's operation, Jeffrey finds himself pursued by a small army of thugs as well as Chang and Li, two relentless detectives. Oh, and his best friend and associate Sidney has (temporarily) betrayed him. With all that's going on, the stage is set for a struggle on an operatic scale, with Chow giving his character just the right mix of warmth and gravity.

As one would expect from a film directed by Woo, with Chow in the starring role, "The Killer" contains more than its fair share of shootouts and chase scenes, all filmed with Woo's signature frenetic visual style. However, it's what happens when the movie slows down that sets it apart from the pack. "The Killer" is as much a drama as it is an action yarn, and it's a mighty good drama at that. There are a bunch of scenes here that got my adrenaline flowing, but even more impressive, some moments practically moved me to tears (emphasis on the word "practically"). Behind the constant action is an often-moving tale of devotion, honor, redemption, and friendship in the unlikely setting of the criminal underworld. The lines between good and bad, right and wrong, cop and criminal, are all blurred in a haze of moral ambiguity and divided loyalties. While Jeffrey and Sidney attempt to restore trust after Sidney's betrayal, an unlikely bond forms between Jeffrey and Li as the detective and the assassin realize they're not that different after all.

As the story unfolds, building toward the inevitable confrontation, the tension and the emotional stakes only rise along with the body count. Woo manages to elevate the crime drama to poetry, whether during a taut action sequence or a subdued conversation scene. The movie's deservedly legendary finale, involving a crazed gun battle inside a church, is the only appropriate conclusion. The viewer certainly needs some catharsis after such a harrowing journey, and Woo more than delivers the goods. "The Killer" is one of the few movies of its ilk that can legitimately be called art.

=====Respect Hong Kong Cinema =======
===========Hong Kong action and John Woo should be greatly respected by Hollywood b/c most of his movies like THe Killer, Hard Boiled and The Better Tomorrow Series are being ripped off by Hollywood directors such as the movie "DESPERADO," "RESEVIOR DOGS" and etc. The Hong kong cinema should be credited by hollywood.==================== ... Read more

Reviews (132)

"Superman II: The Wrath of Zod!"
That would have made a better title when it came out into theaters in 1981(Giggle)! Anyway, the second Superman movie was definately a gem for anyone to watch! It is action packed as the Man of Steel (Christopher Reeve) takes on the 3 Kryptonian villains (wonderfully played by Terrence Stamp, Sarah Douglas, and Jack O'Halloran), and its romantic in terms of Superman becoming serious with Lois Lane (Margot Kidder)! Although it was sad that Richard Donner didn't get to direct the second movie, Richard Lester did a wonderful job filling his shoes! However, this was the first film which really began the down-fall of the series! It was clear that Richard Donner did set the tone for Superman which meant not to muck around with the legend! That being the case with the powers you see in this film! If you are a die-hard Superman fan, and know the character and his powers, you'll know what I mean when you watch it! Second, the romance of this film with Lois and Superman does reach it's peak, but then at the end of this film, the fans will be upset with the total outcome! The worst was yet to come with the next 2 films! Fortunately, this DVD is special to me because the magic is still there! Along with the "letterbox" widescreen version to the film which preserves this film and the other so well! Still, I know there were scenes cut-out of the original film that I wish could have been added onto this DVD! Maybe they will come out with the complete version someday soon! Still, a very good movie I recomend to anyone!

Superman II - Extended ONLY
This film gets 4 stars from me based on its extended version and not on the pathetic theatrical cut! A lot of footage was cut from this film but did make it onto various extended versions that were screened across the world. The theatrical cut of this film is a poor reflection on what director Richard Donner intended the world to see. After his sacking by the Salkinds, Richard Lester was dragged in to complete the film and refilm perfectly filmed scenes which Donner filmed in 1977. This decision cost everyone a great movie.

In 1984 fans finally got a well edited film when a lot of Donner's footage was re-inserted into TV broadcasts of the movie. The longest version having accumalated some 24 mins of additional footage. This version has only been screened in Europe and Australia and contains 7 mins more footage than the 1984 ABC telecast. Most notable extended scenes are of Lex and Eve exploring the exterior of the fortress. Miss T to Les, "...It is funny that there is no front door...". Also present is Superman's "Blast off!" line after Lex and the villains are taken away by the Arctic police. These crucial scenes were cut from the theatrical and ABC extended broadcasts.

In saying that still, the film will get 5 stars when I see all director Richard Donner's footage restored into the film.

Anyone thinking that the theatrical is a good film is much mistaken. Any of the extended TV broadcast are a MAJOR improvement over an average film!

A Richard Donner Cut is what I'm after
Not nearly as good as the first movie, this suffers from production problems as a result of Donner's sacking by the Salkinds.
It's plainly obvious which scenes were shot by Donner and which weren't. And sadly, they left out a hefty chunk of what Donner had filmed, giving Lester the top billing as director.
Another sad omission is John Williams rousing score, which has been poorly duplicated. Not nearly as uplifting and powerful as John William's efforts in one.
Although the primary focus is on Lois and Superman's relationship, it doesn't save this picture from stinking. Even Gene Hackman's wonderful performance(which was all directed by Donner, with the exception of scenes where Lester used a body double and an impersonator for Hackman's voice) can't salvage this.
So why do I give this three stars? Because it does have it's moments, though scattered, and I live in the hope that a Richard Donner cut, using primarily all his footage, which would bring back all the scenes with Marlon Brando, will eventually pop up and finally put to bed the question of what could have been.

We need a 21st Century Superman movie!
Very bad film.
They released Spiderman into the 21st century, why not Superman?
I've always found him to be the most appealing comic book character. He is sure for an amazing performance.
RELEASE HIM INTO OUR CENTURY!

BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL!!!
All you people complaining about what is and should have been (Donner not being able to complete the project) the end result is a movie that many people view as better! Leave my Superman II alone! ... Read more

Amazon.com

You can chalk it up to good timing and a heavy dose of video-game synergy, but this 1990 hit remains the box-office champ of independent films, with a total gross of $135 million. Of course the Turtles began as a phenomenally successful Nintendo video game, so it was a given that the movie would be a hit with its target audience of rabid young video addicts. This is what comic books fans call "the origin story," in which we learn how a foursome of small turtles were mutated by a green radioactive goo and turned into human-sized turtle crime fighters. Their large rodent mentor, Splinter, teaches them to master the martial arts. They're also gifted pop musicians, by the way (think of them as amphibious Spice Guys), so they can rock the house while they're cracking a crime wave with the help of their cute friend and television reporter April O'Neil (Judith Hoag). The script is terrible, of course, but countless millions of children don't seem to care, as long as the Turtles keep ordering pizza and dispensing their wisecracking brand of justice. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (86)

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in Perfection.
Okay, ever since I was a kid, I loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle animated television series. My attention came to the show somewhere around 1992 or so since I was only a year old when the series aired, so I was kind of a late-bloomer among TMNT fans. But three of the four forms of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles don't please me: the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles animated series (okay, it's cool, but it still comes up short), the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comic series (which was the beginning of TMNT; not some video game), and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Next Mutation live-action television series that was on Fox in the fall of 1998. What form of TMNT does that leave us with? The movies.

My definite favorite of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movies is this one. The plot doesn't go just skin-deep. This movie isn't just about teenage turtle mutants fighting crime; its main theme is family. This film really goes into the brotherhood that the turtles share, and the father-son relationship that they share with their mentor and ninja master Splinter.

For those of you that are preparing to click the back button on your browsers, please just hold on one more second. Even if you're not the kind of person that goes for "chick flicks," don't fear; there's something in this film for everybody. There's great humor, (for the lack of a better word) awesome fighting, perfect drama, and wonderful characters brought to life by excellent acting. All of the turtles and Splinter have perfect-fitting voice-actors, the actress that did April O'Neil in this film did a great job, and whoever did the acting and voice-acting for Shredder should get big pats on the back. I'm sorry that not everybody who viewed this film enjoyed it, but I think that anyone who is reading this should check it out sometime. Even though we all have our own tastes, I think everyone should take a chance and see this film because it would be a shame if someone passed up the opportunity to view what would have been his or her new favorite movie.

Good
TMNT the Movie was pretty good. It had a lot of action and it was funny. You can't take that away from it because it was. America's most favorite Turtles made a huge impact in this film that was originally geared towards kids but turned out to be huge for fans of all types (action, martial arts, comedy and of course the TMNT fans).

I won't deny it, I did like this movie. It was pretty good. The action sequences were excellent and choreographed very well. No "one hit and go down" stuff. The fight scenes in this were very fluid. The turtles were well represented as well (from the comic) and made this movie a pretty good adaptation.

One thing that will forever bother me was that Hockey Mask toting psychopath Casey Jones was perceived as this little pretty boy with a mask on instead of his true comic book personality of a deranged, former athlete turned vigilante. In the comics, Casey Jones is very intimidating but in the movie, he was just another baby face which I could've done without.

If you were going to buy any of the Turtles movies, this would be the one because this one was more of a Martial Arts action film instead of what it turned into later in Secret of the Ooze, a cheap slapstick comedy with the occasional fight scene with let's not forget the horrid "Ninja Rap" song by everyone's favorite most chewed up, spit out and now washed up MC, Vanilla Ice.

Again, TMNT the Movie is good. It's not astonishing and it's not poor but it is good. I personally wouldn't give it anymore than that. If you're looking for any other comic book to movie DVD's, check out Brandon Lee's lasr movie THE CROW, SPIDERMAN and of course X-MEN.

Amazing Turtles film. Don't go near the DVD though
They just don't make movies (especially ones for children) like this anymore. I saw this in theaters fifteen years ago, and I loved it. I proudly paid only $5.00 for this during Wal-Mart's video liquidation sale last year. I've owned Turtles II and the sub-par III for ten years, but I never did have my favourite first one on tape until now. As for the DVD release: don't bother. DVDs scrath just as badly as CDs, and there's nothing that can protect you collection from careless younger siblings intent on taking your fragile CD and DVD collection. Plus, the street market allows you to find (on VHS) extra-violent fight scenes that originally earned the first Turtles movie a PG-13 rating. If you want information on this workprint you're missing out on, go to http://www.comics2film.com/StoryFrame.php?f_id=50

Great!
This movie is so good because everything in it is so well made and funny. It's just great! See it!

A classis and intriguing movie
This was the first movie I ever owned. I used to watch it at least three times a day. After going back and watching it now that I am 18 years old I think I like this movie even more than I did as a 5 year old kid.

This movie is dark and after watching it I dont understand why I liked it as a child, but as an adult it appeals to me in a whole new way.

This movie does have some pretty good acting and I cant figure out if the turtles are guys in costumes or completely puppeteered,(Can someone tell me please).

This movie is much more for the teenager/adult crowd and if you havn't seen it or its been a while give it a chance and I'm sure you'll find something you'll like about it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the eighth Dragon Ball movie (1993), King Kai summons Goku to stopa Super Saiyan who's laid waste to the South Galaxy, and who plans to attackEarth. Paragas arrives and implores Vegeta to rule a re-created Planet Vegeta.Paragas's son Broly was born on the same day as Goku, but at a power level of10,000! Fearing this potential menace, Vegeta's father ordered the childkilled, but he escaped with Paragus. Now the pair is seeking revenge. After thestandard battles, in which characters blast each other through solid rock, Gokudefeats his legendary foe--with help from Gohan, Trunks, Piccolo, and(reluctantly) Vegeta. The most surprising images in the film depict not Broly's feats ofsuper-strength, but Goku, incongruously clad in a suit and tie for aninterview at the school Chi-Chi wants Gohan to attend. (Not rated: suitable for ages 8and older: cartoon violence) --Charles Solomon ... Read more

Reviews (38)

Legendary Super Saiyan
This is the best DBZ movie ever made. If I'm not mistaken, Broly's power is far greater than 5 Super Saiyans combined. Did I forget to mention Broly is hard? If you want to see more of him, he's also featured on the new DBZ game for GBA called Dragon Ball Z Taiketsu which releases in November 18, 2003! Anyways, Broly and Goku have troubled pasts which triggered this all out war between to two and the other Z fighters. I never thought I Say this, but Vegeta is a punk when it comes to fighting Broly. He completely chickened out when all the others had the guts to fight the Legendary Super Saiyan, even though they didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of beting him. Something tells me that Broly will return in more DBZ movies coming later next year. P.S. What's up with Gohan not going SS2? That's what was really wrong with the whole picture.

One of the Best DBZ Movies
Ok, if you're used to the other DBZ movies that have been released in the US recently, the beginning half an hour or so will probably seem a little boring to you. Especially if you don't want to see any sort of plot or story and just want action. On the other hand, if you appreciate a good story this is a first for a DBZ movie. It also is the reason for the 70 minute running time while most of the other movies are 45 minutes.

Anyways, the movie is very well done. The animation is great. The story is one of, if not THE, best of all 13 DBZ movies. The Ebglish version's music helps keep the movie going without feeling drawn out or slow. And there's more comedy in this movie than most any of the others, and it all fits too. The big fight (the second half of the movie) is rather one sided since Brolli's so danged strong. No, he does not go past Super Saiya-jin 1 persay. On the other hand, he was born with a power level of 10,000 (Goku was born with 2), so his one level of Super Saiya-jin allows him to clothsline the rest of the Saiya-jin with the greatest of ease. On the down side of things, the English dub does sound a bit rushed as far as the pacing of the lines (not the quality). And the Japanese version's music does tend to make the movie feel like it's draging on (except in a few places like, where Brolli finally goes Super in a big way). Also the end seems rather sudden.

Overall, it does balance out to be one of the best DBZ movies of the whole 13 movie series and certainly the best of the 8 they've released in the US.

A few personal things I have against FUNimation in their release of these movies. Why aren't they widescreen? They really should be. Even though they are a bit short (half the length of a "normal" movie except for this one) they WERE released in the theaters in Japan and they are widescreen. There are shots in the movies that look chopped off on the sides and that's because they (FUNimation) altered the movies to a 1.33:1 ratio when they're originally 1.85:1. It just bothers me to see the movies 95% whole. Also, I wish they'd release the movies faster. There are 5 left and the whole of the DBZ TV seires has been released in the US now. The 13th movie takes place after they defeat Buu, but before the last three episodes of the series. These probably won't affect anyone's opinion of the movie, but I just feel that it should be known.

Pick up this movie, it's a definate must see!

The first of the gretest saga of dbz Saiyan vs. Saiyan
OK, as a respones to all the reviews on this video b4 me...i would like to say 1st off: This saga was originally created to be after the cell saga...but b4 the saiyans fight cell at the cell games. 2nd off: broly did not have a power lvl of 645 million...it was at his max 4,100,000 and he couldnt go to ssj4...in fact he nvr reaches even ssj2...he accomplishes exactly what trunks does in the cell saga does and thats ussj or otherwise known as ultimate ssj( when your muscles get very large and u basically look like a blonde swarchzenegger).In addition the second movie titled "second coming" broly again has not accomplished ssj2 and his max power now is 6,500,000 this happens between the badidi and buu sagas.The third movie (which i haven't yet seen) Broly has yet again not accomplished ssj2 and his max power level now is 8,200,000.And this is between kid buu saga and the world martial arts tourney with uub.Now there are many sites out there that will tell u that broly was defeated by a triple kamehameha between goku gohan and goten in the First movie...but he was not, he was defeated this way...in a sense...killed in the THIRD movie. As for his defeat in the first movie, it was completely legitimate because gokus power level without the boosts from his allies was only 1,800,000 and with the allies power...it was 3,300,000 plus vegeta added another 1,000,000 with made him 4,300,000 to broly's 4,100,000. Also broly was not killed by comet kumoire.he survived the blast which was an estimated 3,500,000 strength of damage.He was only temporarily unconscious from the punch..
Lastly I'd like to make a comment about the review from the kid who said "vegeta was portrayed as a second rate saiyan"...Well for one vegeta never...NEVER..has defeated another saiyan in combat(xcept Nappa).And vegeta's power level in that movie while being a super saiyan was only 1,300,000...even trunks ssj was 1,500,000 and gohan was right behind him with 1,150,000 and piccolo had 1,500,000..Also, piccolo never had respect for vegeta in anyway..infact he often reffered to him as a " foolish man"...the only time piccolo actually agreed on sumthin with vegeta was in the buu saga referring to his sacrafice to destroy buu.which also failed. In short, vegeta ...in the movie was a second rate saiyan , atleast by the "bar that broly had set".
If u watch vegeta and goku's second battle in the babidi saga u know where i got that kind of comment from...

I wish this movie had a donkey that culd go Super Saiyan 4!!
This movie was the greatest movie ever!!! The only flaw was that it didnt have any Saiyian Donkeys that could go to Super saiyan 4!
Speaking of the super sayian, Broy was born a super saiyan and was senticed to death. It was thev day that Freaza blew up the Saiyans. Broy used his super sayian migth and surrvied the blast. This movie is true because this movie culd've happoned during the ten days they had to train to fight the Cell. when Goku and vegeta train under not normal gravity, they become so much stronger. So it wuld make so much sense to train in outerspace. For example, Goku went Super Saiyan on Namek and tranied under 100 times normal gravity. Vegeta tranied under 400 times normal gravity and went SS on the moon. And Gohan went SS in the time chamber which was above normal gravity. Future Trunks was the only Saiyan besides Goten to gain SS form in normal gravity.

Pay an arm and leg for DBZ movies (uncut)
I can't believe how overpriced DBZ DVD's are. This movie is barely over an hour long, but they charge this ridiculous price (tag on an extra five bucks because it's uncut!!! wow.. you get like a minute more of footage and an unnecessary curseword here and there).

Ridiculously priced. Even Sailor Moon DVD's are nearly half the price and you get more for your money.

You'll go bankrupt from FUNimation gouging if you buy these DVD's. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Paul Hogan tries to get more serious for Crocodile Dundee II
"Crocodile Dundee" was a surprise hit in 1986, more on the strength of Paul Hogan's whimsical charm as the title character, an alligator poacher from Down Under who is taken to the big bad city of New York where he does an engaging Innocent Abroad routine. Two years later came the sequel, "Crocodile Dundee II," which tried to sound all of the same notes as the original while reversing the patter--Mick Dundee starts in NYC and then ends up back in Australia at the end of the film--while adding a whole plot line about an evil drug lord. After rescuing Sue (Linda Kozlowski) from the fortress home of the drug lord in NYC, the scene shifts back to Australia when the drug lord decides to take on Mick on his own turf, which may well be one of the ten stupidest things ever done by a bad guy in a movie (it at least deserves a nomination).

The strengths of "Crocodile Dundee II" are the same as the original. Hogan has an easy-going charm and his character is nonplussed by any situation in which he finds himself or anybody that he meets. He is the common man with the common touch, even if he is from an uncommon part of the world. The relationship between Mick and Sue seems a bit more real this time around, and there are even signs of some actual chemistry, which might have something to do with the fact that Hogan and Kozlowski were going to end up getting married two years later (instead of making "Crocodile Dundee III" apparently). But the drug plot line is an unnecessary attempt to up the ante (compare it with the mugger/big knife scene from the original), which just leads the film too far astray from what really worked that first time around. Those who really like the original will find this enjoyable enough. But Hogan's "Almost an Angel" is a much better film.

Croc is at it again!
Crocodile Dundee II is a classic. No matter how much one doesn't like the turn that this second film took, it will always be a memorable sequel. When you create a sequel, you're also supposed to "up" the level of conflict. And that called for a serious tone. But at the same time, they kept it as light as they could. It isn't bad at all. The drug dealers who followed Dundee and his Lady back to Australia were in for a shock.

What other sense of a sequel were we supposed to be provided with? I mean, they had to think of something. And this was it! It has a more intense conflict, still with a light tone applied to it-- and much humor. We are allowed a look into the life of Crocodile Dundee, and what he looks like when being confronted with a conflict on his own turf down under. It was nice to see him play games and run numbers on the bad guys. Quite memorable this film was, indeed!

Be sure to check out the third installment, "Crocodile Dundee In Los Angeles" It's not as serious of a tone, but still a great watch!

Darker, yet not bloody
This sequel is something of a departure from the original, less comic but equally character-driven, and gives us the opportunity to see Mick Dundee exercising his bush skills on his "native heath." The story reverses the geographical course of the original, taking Mick and girlfriend Sue Charlton from New York City back to the Northern Territories in an effort to escape the Colombian drug kingpin (Ubarry) who has targeted them for death. Bad guy Rico has the men and the guns, but Mick Dundee knows the territory, and he exploits that knowledge to the fullest. Like Matthew Quigley, he picks off (or scares off) Rico's men one or two at a time, but manages not to kill any of them, while still contriving to keep himself, Sue, and old partner Walt Reilly (Meillon) alive and unpunctured--and maintaining his lighthearted outlook on the world in general. A good comedy-adventure for families to share.

Mick "Crocodile" Dundee is Back!
If you saw the original, this one will seem like a visit with an old friend, that being the likable Mick 'Crocodile' Dundee. This time around there's not as much 'whimsy' to it, though, and as things get a bit more heavy-handed, Mick finds himself in some rather murky waters as the story unfolds. Still, the appeal of the character and the easy, intrinsic humor at the heart of the film is enough to make 'Crocodile Dundee II,' directed by John Cornell, a satisfying cinematic experience.

As the film opens, Mick (Paul Hogan) is happily ensconced in New York City with his lady-friend, journalist Sue Charlton (Linda Kozlowski), and life is good. Mick, however, tired of just laying about has decided it's time to seek gainful employment, and sets out to do just that. His job search gets put on hold, though, when Sue's ex-husband, Bob Tanner (Dennis Boutsikaris), a journalist currently covering a story in South America, sends some photographs he's taken-- the subject of which is of a particularly serious and sensitive nature-- to Sue, and something else arrives along with the them: Trouble. Trouble, as in the man in the pictures is one 'Rico' (Hechter Ubarry), a big time drug dealer who is more than a little concerned about the compromising position these particular photos will undoubtedly put him in. He will stop at nothing to get them, and he has the 'muscle' to do it. But there's one small item Rico hasn't factored in to his agenda and his plan of attack. And his name is Mick Dundee.

Written by Paul Hogan and his son, Brett Hogan, this film suffers the 'Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom' syndrome, in that-- like the 'Indy' film-- it is a sequel to a hugely successful original, and takes that same 'turn' toward the dark side. And in the case of this film, it's even more noticeable inasmuch as this is a comedy rather than a pure action/adventure movie, and-- let's face it-- it's tough to find a light, comedic touch in a film that deals with a kidnapping, killings and drug dealers. Still, just as Spielberg did with the 'Indy' sequel, Hogan pulls it off; and he does it with a winning smile and bit of sleight-of-hand.

As the great Steve Allen would say, 'All seriousness aside, folks--' And in a nutshell, that's the trick Hogan, Hogan and Cornell use to make this offering a viable commodity. Taken out of context, the story alone is serious stuff, more conducive to a 'Traffic,' 'Blow' or 'Scarface' than a 'Crocodile Dundee' movie. But therein is the rub; the filmmakers here take a lighthearted approach to a serious issue, being careful, however, not to discount or be dismissive of it, but rather by toning down the 'results' of the violence while infusing it with humor and some genuinely engaging characters, and presenting it all in a way that is palatable to a wide audience.

Cornell, like Peter Faiman (who directed 'Crocodile Dundee'), is destined to be the forgotten man of this project, and for the same reasons. Cornell takes the wheel of the ship here, takes his audience on a cruise then deposits them safely back on shore, where most will agree it was a trip worth taking. But in the end, there is nothing about it that identifies Cornell; nothing with his 'signature' on it. And, like Faiman, he only directed one other film, 'Almost an Angel' in 1990 (also starring Hogan and Kozlowski), which was mediocre at best. So there's simply nothing to reference him. He may have been the captain of the ship, and he did a good job, technically speaking, but he kept himself in the wheelhouse too long to be noticed.

Hogan, meanwhile, was taking center stage in the lounge, successfully reprising his role as everyones favorite 'Aussie.' Without question, no matter what Paul Hogan does for the rest of his career, this is the character moviegoers everywhere will forever associate him with, and for good reason. Quite simply, Mick Dundee is just such a likable bloke. And it's a theme that runs throughout the entire series-- everybody likes him; no matter where he goes or who he meets, he makes them feel as if they've known him all their lives. He's amiable, good looking, charismatic, and has an entirely non-judgmental, matter-of-fact way of dealing with people and situations that provides a refreshing perspective on the human condition. That's what makes this character so memorable, and there's no getting around it: Just as Leonard Nimoy will always be 'Spock' regardless of whatever else he ever does, Hogan will always be Crocodile Dundee. Because he IS Mick Dundee.

Also in fine form for this second go 'round is the beautiful Linda Kozlowski, returning to the role she created in the original, Sue Charlton. And-- as in the first one-- it's the on screen chemistry between Kozlowski and Hogan that really sells it; whether it's in the Australian outback or on the streets of New York City, they find the magic, and it comes through to the audience, loud and clear. This isn't, of course, the kind of stuff that wins Oscars, but her performance is honest and convincing, and Kozlowski has a screen presence that is altogether natural and real, all of which makes the relationship between Sue and Mick all the more believable.

Also turning in noteworthy performances are John Meillon, returning as Mick's friend and business associate, Walter Reilly; Charles Dutton as the street wise Leroy; and Ubarry, who makes Rico the bad guy you love to hate.

The supporting cast includes Juan Fernandez (Miguel), Kenneth Welsh (Brannigan), Ernie Dingo (Charlie), Luis Guzman (Jose), Jace Alexander (Rat) and Steve Rackman (Donk). An entertaining film, but not nearly as 'fun' as the original (the 'Indy' syndrome, again), 'Crocodile Dundee II' is nevertheless a worthy addition to the series, as it puts you together with one of the screen's most unforgettable characters, 'Crocodile' Dundee.

Loved it!
I enjoyed this sequel just as much as the original. If you're a fan of Crocodile Dundee then you can't go wrong in buying this DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

perfect revenge movie
Death Wish was an excellent movie that told the story of mild mannered common man Paul Kersey driven to become a vigilante after the murder of his wife and rape of his daughter. Death Wish is very artistic and was a hit that spawned 4 sequels. Death Wish 2 set the pattern for the other movies in the series and is a different type of film from the first. The second Death Wish falls into the category of revenge films and has a gritty look to it that captures the rawness of it's subject. Some have complained about the look of the film, but it serves to make it much more visceral from the first film and one of the grittiest films ever made. There's a disturbing snuff film/documentary feel about Death Wish 2 which both repulses and transfixes, and at the same time the film also works on a much more unreal level as a revenge fantasy.
In the first film Kersey never catches the thugs who destroyed his family, but in Death Wish 2 his revenge isn't just aimed at random criminals, but at specific thugs responsible for his daughter's death. The first Death Wish was about Kersey's transformation into a vigilante, but Death Wish 2 is about hunting down specific guilty criminals and seeing that they pay for their crimes. There have been many revenge films, but there's just something much more satisfying about the way justice is served in the Death Wish series than in other films. William Lustig's Vigilante is another good film of this type as is The Exterminator, but Death Wish 2, like the rest of the series, really provides the audience with a satisfying feeling of justice. The combination of the hyper real and the fantastic make Death Wish 2 compelling viewing. As a cinematic revenge fantasy it's the best of it's kind.

A sequel far from equal to the first.
For some reason it took 8 to 9 years for there to be a sequel made to the movie that most people associate with Charles Bronson. It wasn't worth the wait. Even revisiting the movie on DVD (sadly full frame, at least they could have restored it to its proper aspect ratio) did not improve my original thoughts on this follow up. Death Wish 2 is to Death Wish what Jaws 2 was to Jaws, a sequel that attempts to pass itself off as a continuation of the first film but largely recycles its plot and most memorable moments. Paul Kersey (Charles Bronson) is now living in Los Angeles and he has had his still mentally withdrawn (and actually younger looking) daughter Carol moved to a nearby facility. Evidently her husband left her, as that character is not mentioned this time out, even in passing. When Kersey and his new girlfriend (played by Bronson's real life wife Jill Ireland) take Carol out for some quality family time, Paul is attacked by muggers who steal his wallet. Of course Kersey gives chase and manages to pound one mugger against a wall, but they still have his wallet - which contains his address and, of course, the muggers are gunning for revenge. This is obviously meant to recreate (or homage) the set-up for the attack by a trio of thugs who get the Kersey home address at the supermarket in the first Death Wish. The muggers attack the Kersey household, sexually assaulting both the housekeeper as well as Kersey's daughter (again), both of whom die. The major difference from the first movie is that Kersey is there and thus knows just who to hunt down after a little alone time. In the first Death Wish it was a business trip to Tuscon, in Death Wish 2 it's a weekend at a friend's rustic cabin. The rest of the movie is basically Bronson wandering around the seedier areas of Hollywood until he finds his prey - that and avoiding his girlfriend while trying to keep her clueless about what he is doing at night. Death Wish 2 delivers on the violence and sleazy exploitation, but it misses the mark in even attempting to create a compelling story. Despite there being ample oppurtunity to do so. Some Bronson fans will no doubt want this, put it remains a poor follow up to a truly great movie.

A real Winner
Not sure where to begin with Death Wish 2. Significantly, it was directed by Michael Winner, who directed the first and would go on to direct the amazing third entry in this series about 'bleeding heart liberal' architect Paul Kersey and his vigilante side job.

Paul Kersey now lives in sunny Los Angeles, which like New York is depicted as a pit of human filth and depravity. The incredible cynicism of the filmmakers begins right away as Kersey's housemaid and daughter--who, remember, was violently raped in the original--are brutaly raped, with the maid murdered. Then Kersey's daughter is taken away, raped again, and decides to jump out a window rather than endure the rest of the film. Kersey then puts down his slide ruler and blueprints and takes up his old hobby of blowing away criminal scum.

The main difference between Part 2 and the original, besides an even deeper cynicism, a lower budget, and overall abysmal effort by all involved, is that Bronson actually hunts down the individuals responsible for these acts of malfeasance. His behavior now flat-out pathological, he rents a cheap office in a bad part of LA, using it as a home base for his vigilante operations. Donning ski cap and dark clothes and packing heat, he roams the streets of LA, looking for revenge.

Even the tagline is noteworthy:

Bronson's on the loose again! Seems to suggest that, in effect, it didn't matter who Bronson was playing, because 'he' was on the loose again!

Overall, it's bad. Very, very bad. Part 3 is bad, but it has other things going for it, namely that it cannot be taken seriously for a moment and it knows it, the tongue so firmly in cheek that it becomes an incredible guilty pleasure and one of the best bad movies of the 80s, perhaps ever. But Part 2, for the most part, is an exploitation movie. The film looks cheap, grimy, and rushed. It can't even succeed as a bad movie, which is pretty depressing. It feels seedy, right down to the very grainy film stock and washed out look to the picture. And to top it off, Jimmy Page contributes one of the most appalling scores I've heard in a movie of any genre. Not even his score for Part 3 was this embarassing. And yes, it is THE Jimmy Page.

As for Bronson, he's particularly wooden in this one. Which may be appropriate as at this point, Kersey is less than sane.

But alas! The Death Wish flicks finally reappeared on DVD, right around the time of Bronson's death in 2003. Obviously recommended if you like, well, Death Wish movies, the DVDs are capable, if pretty bare bones. I would love to hear Michael Winner do a commentary track to discuss his state of mind when he directed this one.

Character Development
REASONS TO BUY:
Unlike the first part, Bronson has a strong unyielding character. He's not the least bit afraid to get the job done this time and doesn't stop untill he gets every single on of those creeps that killed his daughter. It really gives you a sense of staisfaction even if it's just a movie.

REASONS NOT TO BUY:
This is the cut version. Evidently, some people believe that we are not intelligent enough to view certain scenes. I think it's worth the time to search the internet for the full uncut version.

Brutal reality
Plot
This film is the second appearance of the character of Paul Kersey, the liberal architect who became a vigilante after his daughter was assaulted (with spray paint) and his wife was killed while trying to stop the assault perpetrators. Kerseys daughter is visiting her father but is still in the state in which she was left in the first film, only she seems to be happier. Kersey takes his daughter and his girlfriend to a fair, then goes to get ice cream. But it seems that he is the only man in the world who can get mugged during such an activity; a gang with a kingpin played by Lawrence Fishburn steals his wallet. He chases after them and stops, but this is definitely not the last he hears of them as they use his ID to find his home then rape his maid; then he returns with his daughter and they knock him out, kidnap his daughter and rape her. She dies by throwing herself out a window. And so the plot is set for Charles Bronson's character to avenge his daughter and reenter the vigilante lifestyle.

Analysis
I very much enjoyed this movie, from seeing a movie shows reality in a form that's so blunt it offends many people, to the delivery of such lines as "Do you believe in Jesus...well now your going to meet him."

In this movie, unlike its predecessor, Kersey actually knows who he is hunting, and he does not to bother those who he did not see in the apartment, while in the first movie he simply capped those who tried to mug him, or in one case a gang who was harassing a middle aged man. Rather than simply being a vigilante, Bronson is now also playing an avenger.

There is another change in Kersey in this movie; he no longer is reluctant to kill. Granted that went away in the second half of the first movie but in the sequel that reluctance is even less. Kersey now delivers lines to his enemies before doing away with them, and does it as though it's the most natural thing in the world. Having Bronson play the protagonist really aids this effect; with is calm voice he can make statements in a straightforward and threatening manner but at the same time not show any signs that he has lost his cool. As though dispatching criminals and antagonizing them were just a normal part of life for him, oh wait, it is lol.

Notes
The film that was actually released in theatres is different from the original version in terms of graphic rape scenes. The MPAA was going to give it an X rating but gave it an R after the movie was toned down.

See Lawrence Fishburn playing a rapist known as Cutter; he doesn't have quite the same effect as the paint fetish guys from DW but he's still pretty sadistic. ... Read more

Reviews (87)

Good Entertainment if not Historically Correct
I enjoyed this movie. If you read all the newspapers seems like all the critics want to do, is criticize Disney for claiming it is based on a true story. Well if I remember correctly, if a movie is all true, it is probably a documentary. Hollywood always takes libertys with the truth in the sake of good entertainment. There is even one website devoted totally to trashing anything about Mr. Hopkins. Regardless I liked it!
Viggo Mortensen plays Frank T. Hopkins, mostly just a lover of horses, but happens to have gotten a nice mustang named Hidalgo, a horse known for his fortitude. After an incident at Wounded Knee, and a stint in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. Mr Hopkins is propositioned by a few gentleman about competing in an endurance race of 3000 miles across the Middle Eastern deserts. His mates in the Wild West show chip in the entry fee, and off he goes. Encounters with many cultures and sandstorms , thirst, thievery, kidnapping, murder etc; follow. Viggo's performance is good, although much different than Lord of the Rings. Check out the performance by Omar Shariff, playing the Sheik of Sheiks. A good escapist movie in the realm of Indiana Jones et. all.

Good, old fashioned adventure in a faraway place
Last year, we had MASTER AND COMMANDER: FAR SIDE OF THE WORLD and PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, old-time adventure epics produced just for pure fun (and box office receipts, of course) and lacking any overt social or political correctness agendas. Now, we have HIDALGO.

Frank Hopkins (Viggo Mortensen) is one of the acts in Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show on the basis of his reputation as the world's greatest cross-country horse racer. But Frank, the son of a U.S. Army scout and an Indian woman, is drinking himself out of a job, tortured by self-guilt over a tangential and relatively innocent association with the Army's massacre of Native Americans at Wounded Knee. Hopkins is challenged by an Arab sheik to participate in a grueling, 1000-year old horse race across the deserts of the Middle East. To redeem his self-esteem, Frank signs-on with his horse, Hidalgo, a mixed-breed Spanish mustang. Arriving in Arabia, Hopkins is despised by the locals for his infidel status, while Hidalgo's small size and lineage are held in contempt relative to the purebreds he's running against.

Omar Sharif appears as Sheik Riyadh, the Sheik of Sheiks whose own stallion is the favored entry in the race. (I guess Omar has been wandering the desert these past 42 years since appearing in a similar role in the sandblown epic LAWRENCE OF ARABIA. He looks weathered.) Zuleika Robinson plays the sheik's daughter, Jazira, unnecessary to the plot except that she provides Frank with a Damsel in Distress to rescue, but little else.

HIDALGO is perhaps 15-20 minutes over-extended. The Jazira In Peril bit could've been left in the digital-editing trashcan quite handily without sacrificing too much of a story that's otherwise everything anybody could want in escapist entertainment for the whole family.

The real darling of the film is, of course, Hidalgo, who pluckily braves a host of perils to win the prize purse: sandstorm, concealed pit with sharpened stakes, attack leopards, sniper, horde of locusts, broiling sun, blistering heat, and human treachery. (Hmm. Sounds like my hometown on a daily basis.) By the movie's conclusion, you just want to take Hidalgo home with you and to hell with zoning ordinances.

Not that impressed
My biggest mistake was probably going into the theater with high expectations, and by the end of the movie, i was thoroughly disappointed. I expected more action, and a more interesting storyline. Sure, there were some really cool scenes, but most of those can be seen in the theatrical trailer, so there were no surprises there. I found the dialog to be boring, especially with Viggo Mortensen's monotone voice. Also, since I have never really been a horse lover, i haven't really been interested in horse-racing, which the whole story revolves around. Some people will really like this movie, but as for me, i would much prefer to see Viggo in LOTR.

Great western with a twist
I loved this movie so much. This movie reminded me of all those westerns my dad would watch when I was younger. Finally an adventure movie WITHOUT the language, lame acting, poor story line, & over done special effects. It reminds me of "Quigley Down Under" only better. This movie has breathtaking shots throughout and a solid lead character. And did I mention Viggo is hecka fine in it! Don't pass up this one. Get it! Do it! Do it!

Hottie
Viggo Mortensen is a hottie!!!!!!!!!!!!! And so is Hidalgo!(but mostly Viggo!) The tower boy is kinda cute too! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The Ronald Reagan 1980s were all about going back to the future--rewriting the past to better suit Reagan's upbeat vision of the present. So, Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo (a psychotic, shell-shocked Vietnam vet in the original film, transformed into a flag-waving hero in the sequel) was able to go back to Southeast Asia and "correct" history by decisively (and single-handedly) winning that messy ol' war on behalf of America. Red Dawn is a paranoid cold-war cautionary tale that presents us not with a rosy alternative past, but with an ominous vision of the future, metaphorically plopping a piece of Russian-occupied Afghanistan into America's back yard.In this celebration of the Second Amendment, storm troopers from the Evil Empire descend upon the inadequately defended United States and hold America hostage. Stealthily avoiding the invaders, a motley group of red-blooded, small-town, gun-toting teenagers go underground to form the Wolverines, a guerilla resistance squad dedicated to making those Russkies rue the day they parachuted onto U.S. soil. It's a darn good thing those kids had the right to keep and bear arms, huh! Written and directed by macho filmmaker John Milius, the self-described "Zen fascist" who also cowrote Apocalypse Now, as well as the horrifying shark story Robert Shaw tells in Jaws.The cast includes Patrick Swayze, C. Thomas Howell, Lea Thompson, Jennifer Grey (a few years before she and Swayze took up Dirty Dancing), Charlie Sheen, Powers Boothe, Harry Dean Stanton, and Ben Johnson. Red Dawn was a commercial success, although audiences invariably split into two camps, finding it either patriotic or appalling. Whatever your verdict, the film remains a telling reflection of its era. --Jim Emerson ... Read more

Reviews (138)

Great entertainment--a Cold War cautionary tale
"Red Dawn" made its debut in the latter days of the Cold War, and is reflective of the fears and anxieties as regards the Soviets that characterized the times. For that reason, it was a controversial movie. Liberals and Leftists detested "Red Dawn" while conservatives loved it.

Red Dawn has its flaws. The acting (other than by Patrick Swayze) is not first rate, and the storyline is somewhat murky. On the other hand the special effects are pretty good, and the Soviet troops and equipment look authentically Soviet. The basic premise, I thought, was very entertaining--the Soviet bloc makes an actual surprise attack and ground invasion of the United States, which it partially occupies. The local high school kids form a partisan resistance movement which is suprisingly successful and effective. (Yes, this may be unrealistic, but who is to say?). While the acting is not brilliant, it is largely serviceable. It is a fact that this movie is unabashedly anti-Soviet. I guess critics can always go see Warren Beatty in "Reds."

In the final analysis this film succeeds for the reason that any movie succeeds--it entertains. It holds the viewer's interest. The movie will always be an entertaining reminder of how dreadful the Cold War was, and how grateful we should be that it ended successfully.

A classic Cold War movie that still packs a punch!
One of the best action thrillers of the 1980s is now available to buy on DVD here in the UK, and it was well worth the money! I remember seeing this when it first came out. Amazing to see such an impressive cast that went on to bigger things - Patrick Swayze, Jennifer Grey, Charlie Sheen and Lea Thompson among others. The story concerns a sudden invasion by Russian and Cuban forces into midwestern US, which takes everyone by surprise. Enter some spectacular military action scenes up Main Street as US Army helicopters blast Russian tanks to pieces, then our young heroes head for the mountains and learn to survive and develop guerilla warfare skills. They begin with pump-action shotguns and it isn't long before they end up with antitank missiles and AK-47s. Plenty of action and explosions for gung-ho fans and the new resistance, the Wolverines, take on the Soviet and Cuban forces. But . . . in time, they are not only trying to save themselves and their families from the enemy's firing squads and interrogation camps(at the drive-in. loved that nice touch!), but from their own fears and insecurities as their own comrades gradually get killed in action. The second half of the movie shows that wars can affect people in different ways - notably Powers Boothe as a downed F-15 pilot. Overall, this is one not to be missed. Authentic Russian military hardware(except the obviously disguised French Puma transport choppers which are too big for Hind Mi-24 gunships), pulsating action, great sound effects for your DVD, plausible scenarios(the descriptions of how WW3 was fought and how Europe fared was also thrown in well) and good performances from the cast. An eighties classic which should be in everyone's movie collection!

Red Sunset
Dreary "What-If" movie about a bunch of brat packers (a militia group calling themselves "The Wolverines") revolting against Soviet occupied America. The action/battle sequences are third-rate, the characters are one dimensional, and the script is very lame and predictable. The film's core point-of-view is a time-capsule for the Reagan Era paranoia of the evil red empire (Russia). Only thing worth watching in the film is the outdoor wilderness location shots, otherwise there is nothing that is remotely of value in this terrible John Milius film. If this reviewer was a wolverine, I would be very offended by this film.
A film which has almost the same premise and atmosphere, but is a way better film is THE POSTMAN with Kevin Costner.

Bad To The Bone
The words "great" and "classic" don't come to mind when considering this film."Moronic" and "stinky" do.Let's get this straight:A group of inexperienced teenagers with no military training whatsoever takes on crack Soviet and Cuban troops and fights them to a standstill.How'd those kids learn how to use captured Soviet artillery and rocket launchers?Did the weapons come with instructions on videotape?Did one of the kids read and speak fluent Russian?They're not just kids...they're Superkids.Truly amazing.This movie should be filed in the "fantasy" section in your local Best Buy because that's what it is.It's not even a good "what if" idea because the premise is so unbelievable.Why would the Russkies invade a big superpower of a country like the U.S. when they couldn't even conquer Afghanistan?Where were the Chinese in all of this?I'm sure they would have loved to get in on the action.Red Dawn is bad all around...bad premise,bad acting,bad direction and a bad script.I give it one star just for Powers Boothe, who plays the only semi-believable character in the whole film.

Wolverines!
This movie: Red Dawn, is a classic film. It is a film that every young man will love to watch and enjoy it wholeheartedly.

The script of the movie is creative. Communist Paratroopers have landed and are taking over. The regular soldiers are fighting them. However, the Russian communists have managed to land in many areas devoid of any regular American soldiers.

The movie depicts a slice of the bigger picture. The communist paratroopers land in a small town in the middle of nowhere. The adults are caught unaware and its upto few young teenagers to fight for their town(and country). They grab their rifles and head to the hills to wage a war against communist takeover.

There are some minor points in this film that made me give it 4 Stars instead of 5 Stars.

1.) The fighting scenes are unrealistic. It's hard to believe a few teenagers can take on such a large group of regular communist soldiers, again and AGAIN! It is true that it is just a movie but the movie that ads more realism to it becomes more suspensefull. The producer/director should have added few adults to the mix to make it more realistic and thrilling.

2.) The movie is somewhat like a comic book. There is not much depth to Action and some of the characters.

However, these two are just minor points. The movie gets 3 stars for a great storyline and another 1 for its memorable scene where a communist soldier takes away a brave man's gun from his cold dead fingers! and the bumper sticker behind the car is shown on the camera. ... Read more

Amazon.com

One of the most invigorating period adventures to hit the big screen in decades, this lavish, brilliantly directed film drew critical and audience raves when it was released in 1995. Inspired by historical fact and larger-than-life legend, the intelligently scripted story takes place in Scotland in 1713, when Highland farmer and clan leader Rob Roy MacGregor (Liam Neeson) is forced to borrow money from the duplicitous aristocrat Marquis of Montrose (John Hurt) to help his clan survive a harsh winter.When Montrose's vile henchman (Tim Roth) schemes to dishonor MacGregor and his wife (Jessica Lange) and take the money for himself, the rugged Highlander must take courageous action to preserve his integrity. What follows--along with some of the finest sword-fighting ever filmed--is a tale of courage and valor destined to become an enduring movie classic. Tim Roth received a well-deserved Oscar nomination (for Best Supporting Actor) for his indelible performance as the foppish but deadly villain Cunningham, and both Neeson and Lange bring an earthy, sensual quality to their passionate roles. Boasting a wealth of breathtaking scenery and high-intensity action, Rob Roy is further blessed by a splendid supporting cast (including Brian Cox and Eric Stoltz), and the lush soundtrack by Carter Burwell strikes a perfect balance of romanticism and vigorous dramatic energy. --Jeff Shannon ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Scottish Western.
Directed by Michael Caton-Jones, written by the superb screenwriter Alan Sharp. Compared to other Hollywood productions, especially adventure pictures, the I.Q. of *Rob Roy* seems very high. And compared to Mel Gibson's *Braveheart*, to which this movie will be eternally and unfairly linked (both being treatments of legendary Scottish heroes that were each released in 1995), the dialogue in *Rob Roy* sounds like poetry: not merely intelligent, but downright metaphoric, even when vulgar (listen for Tim Roth's little speech about love being like a dunghill). But the intelligent writing and meticulous realism should come as no surprise to those conversant with 1972's *Ulzana Raid*, which was also scripted by Scotsman Alan Sharp, based on his novel. That was one of the greatest and most rigorously realistic Westerns ever made . . . and so is *Rob Roy*, despite its setting in early 1700's Scotland. All the traditional elements of the classic Western are here: good vs. evil, rich vs. poor, one man pitted heroically against the world, played against a backdrop of majestic beauty that puts it all in context. Those expecting an adaptation of Sir Walter Scott's beloved novel about Rob Roy MacGregor will be disappointed on that score. Instead, the movie is an imaginative prequel of sorts that takes place before the serious Jacobite uprisings depicted in the novel. It shows the impetus for the hero's later actions. And boy, does he get some impetus! Pitted against a triumvirate of scoundrels -- John Hurt as the Earl of Montrose, Brian Cox as Montrose's henchman Killearn, and most notably Tim Roth as the vile fop Archibald Cunningham, who's Montrose's deadly bodyguard -- Liam Neeson's Rob Roy doesn't stand a chance of remaining unscathed while treading the moral high ground. The worst of the depredations that come home to him is the perfunctory, brutal rape of his wife (Jessica Lange, sans make-up) by Cunningham. Those who are more than commonly sensitive to such scenes are well advised to look the other way -- this is one of the worst rape scenes in all of cinema. Ugly, but viscerally effecive. Other great scenes include the hero's last-second, desperate escape from Montrose's hangmen, followed by his hiding from them in the bloated carcass of a cow. The mandatory climactic sword-duel between Roth and Neeson is justly famous, and not to be missed. Perhaps the only thing lacking in *Rob Roy* is a great action sequence, a la *Braveheart* (which has at least one too many!). Somehow, the duel at the end, great as it is, doesn't seem quite hearty enough to whet the appetite for action that the movie inspires. While this is a genuine failing, it doesn't mar the movie's many virtues.

A good movie ' but it's just a story, not history
Rob Roy McGregor actually lived, an eighteenth-century Scottish clan chief who followed the traditional life of such men - leading his people, raising cattle, rustling other clans' cattle, engaging in feuds, killing his enemies, and so on. Historical novelisation has romanticised him and his activities, and this film continues the process.
It's a good movie: strong and noble-spirited leads, goodies struggling against the odds and the system, evil baddies, fights, sex, a climactic duel, and ultimate victory for the goodies, all against gorgeous Scottish scenery, what more could one want? But it's not a history lesson. And this is where so many reviewers have gone wrong. The film's makers missed the chance to show the background political context that makes sense of so much of what went on at the time.
And as a Scotsman I would add that while Liam Neeson and Jessica Lange turned in good performances, their 'Scottish' accents were only slightly less cringe-making than that of Engineer Scott from 'Star Trek'.

Nice scenery, story is lacking
Based on what we've seen in the film, Rob Roy's honor is the most important thing to him. But does that mean that cunnying, intelligence, leverage, and knowledge is to be discarded? Rob Roy does everything wrong in this film from the moment he allows one man to act has his financial agent to the fact that he doesn't use his allies against those that are trying to kill him and who end up raping his wife, he acts in typical Hollywood fashion as an idiot.

The film would have been quite short if he would have done the right thing from the very beginning. But, alas, we would have no film so hence the stupidity from which we are tortured.

The film has some great scenery and the acting is enjoyable except for the brutal rape scene of Roy's wife. Other than the scenery and acting, there's not much to see let alone giving cause to buying the DVD.

What's not to like?
A wonderful film overshadowed by "the other" kilt movie that came out that same year, Rob Roy is stuffed with action and romance and political intrigue. Brilliant performances by Liam, Jessica, and especially Tim Roth and a then unknown Brian McCardie. Brian gives a stunning debut performance as Rob's younger brother Alistair (who, though he didn't exist in real life, sure made for great cinema!). A great story that will have you weeping and pining for the highlands!

sexual violence a turnoff
I missed this movie in the theatres and was eager to see it. The acting, scenery, snd musical score were all superb. What turned me off was the ( as also stated by another reviewer) protracted rape scene. It was about as brutal as it gets and went on far too long. I think this was really unnecessary since ( when Tim Roth forced Jessica Lange accross the table) we all knew what was going on.Having been a victim of sexual violence, I was completely turned off by the prolonging of this scen