A true 1980's action classic.
Left for dead in Vietnam, Nick Parker (Rutger Hauer) is found by a local and taken into the village and trained in swordsmanship by a warrior. The trouble is, Nick is blind. Twenty years later and Nick has returned to the USA to find his army buddy who left him behind. On his quest, he stumbles into a mobsters plan to kidnap his buddy's wife and son. This is where the action and adventure start to ramp up.
Writer Charles Robert Carner does an admirable job of keeping the story interesting and humourous. There are a few character-building scenes, which the director, Phillip Noyce, handles beautifully. The two best situations are relationship builders between Nick and Billy. The sleeping scene where Nick can't stop Billy using his as a footrest. I know nephews who slept like this, very believable. But it's Nicks acceptance of the circumstances that shows his growing feelings towards the boy. Then when Nick informs Billy of his mother's death it's treated with respect. Noyce pulls the cam out and cuts the audio to give the pair privacy. Then when Billy runs off the audio comes back in showing Nicks concern. This then leads into a nicely choreographed action spectacle in a cornfield
Noyce keeps this rollercoaster pace throughout the film, which helps to keep the viewer entertained and interested.
There are a lot of decent actors in the movie, however, it's Rutger Hauer who steals the show. From the first time I saw him in Blade Runner, I was a fan. He has an aura about him which shows in his performances. It's difficult to play a blind person, only a few actors have managed to pull it off. Then you add in a sword, lots of action, and quite a few cast members and it becomes more difficult to make the blindness believable. There are only a couple of times when Hauer slightly loses his concentration and appears to look at somebody or something. But overall he pulls it off magnificently.
Everybody else is perfect in their roles. Noble Willingham makes a great mobster as MacCready. Terry O'Quinn shows why he became a sought after actor. Randall "Tex" Cobb is the perfect hard cigar-smoking bad guy, Slag. Nick Cassavetes and Rick Overton have a great relationship as the two redneck hitmen brothers, Lyle and Tector Pike. Though both Lisa Blount, Annie Winchester, and Meg Foster, Lynn Devereaux are underused. Annie seems to be there to be a babysitter for Billy. While Lynn only appears to be around to get killed. It would have been nice to have these two fleshed out a bit more.
This is such an enjoyable movie that I wouldn't hesitate recommending it to anyone. It's an excellent way to pass an hour and a half.
2 out of 3 found this helpful