Touches You

Fresh and Exciting

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

Great movie! If you want to be entertained and have a few good laughs, see this movie. The music is also very good,

From what I remember, this film kind of came and went with little attention. It rarely stands out as one of Rutger Hauer's more iconic film roles, and that's a shame really because having revisited this some 3 decades later, it's really a pretty great little film. I don't know why it took me so long to come back to it, or why it never stuck with me the way other action films from the same era did. But alas, I'm here now with some great news. Wanted: Dead or Alive rules. If there's anything it's known for, it will more than likely be the fact that Gene Simmons plays the villain, here as a Middle Eastern terrorist who has a vendetta against Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer)., a bounty hunter. But really, Simmons barely appears on screen, resulting in more of a glorified cameo until the very end. It's really Hauer's show and man does he deliver the goods. W:DoA surprised me for a number of reasons. First, it's more of a thriller rather than an action film. There is action, and it actually starts off like a great one, but there really isn't a lot in here, or at least not as much as you'd expect. But that doesn't take away from the enjoyment factor because regardless, it's a great piece of Cult Cinema anyway. One of it's other surprising aspects was just how well it was made. Writer/Director Gary Sherman (Vice Squad, Poltergeist III) displays a fine hand and a sharp eye for directing action. Well, not just the action, but the entire film. The film just looks fantastic, and clearly delivers the goods on a visual level. It's yet another reminder of how these little films were made at one point, 30 years ago, where directors actually put effort into setting camera's shots up, in giving the film an overall aesthetic. They don't do that anymore, and if they do, it's becoming exceedingly rare. Lastly, the whole Middle Eastern (Delta Force) terrorist angle obviously wouldn't play today, but it's interesting to see how often this idea was used in films back in the 80's, and how easy they made it look.Gene Simmons never really broke out into acting the way he really could have, more often than not playing himself in television show guest stints, but he did score a few memorable roles as a villain (all in the 80's) in cult classics like Runaway, Never Too Young To Die and this one. He does so well in fact that it's a shame he never stretched his acting chops further into other areas or projects. Or hell, it would have been just as cool if he just kept playing villains for the rest of his acting career because he's so good at it, even when he doesn't utter a single line. His menacing gaze alone says enough, and comes off as way too easy and natural for him.Rutger Hauer is a revelation in this. Much in the same way he made Split Second as enjoyable as it was, he's the main reason why this film is as great as it is, the glue that keeps it all together. It's his show, and he steals and chews every scene and every second he appears on screen. The film looks fantastic, and Simmons is a great villain, but it's Hauer who elevates this film to far beyond your average 80's action/thriller. He makes it fun, whether he's playing it as a straight up tough guy, or in the moments when he's vulnerable – Hauer gives the role a healthy dose of bravado, even when he's being a jerk. If there was one thing I would have changed, it's that I probably would have liked just a bit more action, but that's not in any way a complaint, because as it stands, W:DoA is a fantastic film, with enough thriller and action elements to keep you entertained, on top of everything else you get such as a sharp script and memorable performances. If it's been a while, it's definitely time to revisit this little gem. You won't regret it.www.robotGEEKSCultCinema.blogspot.com

Unassuming 80s b-grade action joint that delivers on what counts. Helping largely is the charismatic performance of Rutger Hauser as a former CIA agent turned bounty hunter on the trail of international terrorist planting bombs around L.A, which is played with menacing glee by Gene Simmons. His slimy character is one real nasty piece of work. Hauser just reeks of coolness clutching at his pump-up shotgun and harmonica. There's a great final exchange of dialogue by Hasuer to Simmons' captive character. Director / co-writer Gary Sherman (""Vice Squad", "Dead & Buried" and "Death Line") keeps it tightly engaging with well-timed, punishing action set-pieces that pack a punch and devious plotting keeps one step ahead. The laid-back script throws up some macho, but memorable dialogues. What occurs isn't anything out of the ordinary and plot progression can become contrived, but the familiar, straight-forward nature has its excitement and the performances are suitably tailored. The support has some reliable faces in the shape of Jerry Hardin, Robert Guillaume, Mel Harris and William Russ. Very 80's soundtrack too. But that's not a bad thing here. "I hate getting stabbed in the back."

Does it irk Gene Simmons that two of his first "serious" motion pictures (RUNAWAY and WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE) are names of Bon Jovi songs? Simmons has a small key role in the Gary Sherman-directed "actioner" WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE. He plays the Arab villain, Malak Al Rahim, intent on causing terrorist chaos in Los Angeles seemingly for the sake of giving hero Rutger Hauer someone to pursue. No motivation on the villain's part is the first sign that this movie smells much like working out next to a hairy-backed Middle Easterner in the gym.Blond, blue-eyed Hauer is bounty hunter Nick Randall, supposedly continuing the legacy of Steve McQueen in the TV series of the same name; he's ex-CIA, combat-rugged and as weirdly pansexual as ever. In the grand tradition of boring screen writing, he wants to give up the bounty hunting and settle down with his bland lady - until he is called upon by his ex-boss (Robert Guillaume) for One Last Job - to bring in Rahim, Dead Or Alive.So begins a series of vapid car chases, half-hearted fight scenes, annoying gun battles and furiously silly explosions, with intermittent perfunctory characterization which doesn't lend any emotion to the non-chemistry between Randall and his babe, his bro or his boss. Writers Michael Patrick Goodman, Brian Taggert and director Sherman try to inject an interesting twist by having all the cops and FBI and CIA double-cross Randall. We don't know why. And we don't care.WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE begins that drab period in Hauer's career where we see him popping up in every piece of crap that required a blond, pansexual action hero. Strangely, the man to watch in this movie is KISS martinet Gene Simmons. He truly makes an imposing villain; he's the tallest Arab-looking guy in the room, he doesn't say much, and he puts that Bat Demon dead eye stare to great use. He doesn't do anything overtly thespian - in fact, he is underused, probably because he can't act - but since his first major outing as Tom Selleck's nemesis in 1984's RUNAWAY, he has learned to control his overacting stage persona, in the process creating a more sinister performance.During the boring climax when Randall is beating up Rahim, we see blood dripping from Rahim's mouth and are instantly reminded of who Rahim is; someone well acquainted with the practice of spitting blood - the Bat Demon himself.Thankfully, KISS went back on tour, saving Gene - and us - from too many more acting outings.

I recently revisited "Wanted Dead Or Alive" after a period of almost 20 years. The film's really stood the test of time and it's a shame there weren't any sequels produced. Rutger Hauer's time as an action hero was short-lived.The film's low budget roots can't be missed but there are enough strong performances from the cast to carry the movie. Hauer's bachelor loft is the ultimate guy pad and, in my opinion, worth watching the movie for. To say his crib is cool is the understatement of the year.Gene Simmons delivers the goods as a thoroughly nasty baddie.Great '80s "B"-movie fun.