Jonny Frost Reviews

Operation Delta Force 4: Deep Fault (1999)

Another Proper B-Movie!!

[22 March 2002]

CONTAINS MINOR SPOILERS!!

I love my action films - don't get me wrong you can't beat a good drama but you can't watch The Killing Fields or The End Of The Affair everyday!!

After a couple of lacklustre efforts this series really picked up with this episode. Crazy action from the word go and a total no-brainer plotline - characters that disappear and reappear as the director wants and to facilitate the plot, chase scenes for no reason, a man who takes 2o minutes to cut a wire, and even a bizarre cameo by Keith Carradine!!! Yes I Love This Film!!

This film is properly violent as well and for once it seems that someone other than Spielberg is interested in showing that gunshots do hurt, aren't pretty and sticking knives in people usually does more than tickle. It's a shame that they couldn't do this all the way through as no doubt the American censors would have a fit.

These films all follow a B-Movie Special Forces Film formula and as it works why fix it/break it/ do something original. It's history dates back to the original Delta Force movie by the erstwhile talent that was Chuck Norris. It goes something like this;

1/ Meet the men on a mission that goes FUBAR 2/ They lose a man/ gain a new member 3/ They get new mission 4/ They get chased 5/ They think they get what they want 6/ They don't 7/ They go back in and kick the villain's arse 8/ Some may die (at least one must) 9/ The end.

Oh you may complain about the small things like why does a Special Forces team from the most sophisticated army in the world have a sniper using an old Italian bolt-action rifle? And why is he sighting it through the wrong eye? How is that tank still working didn't they just blow it up? And why is the camera so close in on Greg Collins face? If the world really is in that much danger why only send 5 blokes? Why does that attractive young lady only turn up in two scenes - and fully clothed?? Was that Keith Carradine?

Who cares, it IS stupid but made with such gusto and the performers really do try to believe in their situations that you can't help but love this film. Joe Lara even got rid of his ponytail! Someone give him a chance! One chance - even Gary Daniels has had that.

Obviously shot in Eastern Europe the film benefits from the fact that the Bulgarian government obviously wants to entice film-makers back and even allowed them to throw a tram down a street and blow it up!

A quick word about Operation Delta Force 2 and 3. Now these are really bad films. Not even enjoyable, Number 2 suffers from Main-Villain-Won't Die-itis and number 3 suffers from How-The-Hell-Did-He-Survive-Oh-he's-A-Good-Guy-itis. Worse still is the fact that number 2 contains a performance by Captain Dale Dye who is the Hollywood Military Advisor No.1 and he always complains about the lack of realism and accuracy of the depiction of the military and he appears in that!!! Maybe he needed to pay a big bill. And don't even watch the film U.S. Seals - Turd of the highest order - it doesn't even have a lot of action. Although for us Brits it does have a cameo by the actor who played Michael in "Desmond's" (a performance he is really embarrassed about or so he told me!)

If I could make these type-films for the rest of my career I would be happy, probably bored after the first five but hey it beats not working.

As I said before watch it after a hard day and you won't care after a few beers. Hell I watch these things when I'm sober and I think they're grrrrrreat.

Operation Delta Force (1997 TV Movie)

For Fun See A No-Brainer!!

[22 March 2002]

When I first saw this on video I thought what a pile of poo but why the hell did I enjoy it??

The thing is when a film is called "Operation Delta Force" you don't go into it thinking that you are going to see the finest display of realistic military action film making. You go for a fun 90 minutes where you can leave the world outside your living room.

Obviously when the film came out there was a shortage of bad guys so who better than the local population of where the film was shot - Bad South Africans! At least this explains the accents of supporting cast, unlike other worthier fare that lensed in SA (eg: Bravo Two Zero)

In fact I loved hearing Africaans in a film as it really lends itself to villains. I never was a fan of Jeff Fahey and at least he doesn't detract from this film but I never wondered why Joe Lara didn't get a chance to do at least one good film. Okay apart from the rubbish Seagal ponytail he has a good look and I guess... Oh who cares man this film is fun - why am I analysing a film that is formed around a B-Movie Special Forces formula (see my review of Operation Delta Force IV: Deep Fault)

I love this film for all it's B-list cast and terrible continuity - for it's absurd action scenes (anyone that doesn't realise that a film where a group of men run at a concrete machine-gun emplacement and don't die but actually destroy it, isn't to be taken seriously is lacking a fun gland).

See it when you've had a hard day doing something important - my dad and I did and we loved it - A Proper B-Movie!!!.

Kiss of the Dragon (2001)

Brutal adult action fare: Loved it.

[25 August 2001]

What is with you people? Don't go to see an action film expecting some Luis Bunuel classic, it's like reading a Tom Clancy novel expecting Tolstoy! To the film. Brutal, adult, action oriented and thoroughly enjoyable.

Jet Li's third foray into Western films unexpectedly turned out to be his best film in years. After being underused in `Lethal Weapon 4' and `Romeo Must Die' he is given a starring turn that allows him to use his quiet tough guy to the full, taking his laconic persona, so evident in his Hong Kong films, and transferring them to a European setting. Trust a Frenchman to realize the potential of the Orient. Chris Nahon understands that people going to see a Jet Li film are only there to see one thing: Jet Li. Not DMX not Aaliyah, not Mel Gibson. If only Brett Ratner realized everyone went to see `Rush Hour' to see Jackie Chan not Chris Tucker…..

Nahon gives us the fight set-ups we so desire at the right moments and allows Jet to show off a harder, brutal fighting style. Taking a leaf from HK cinema Li uses the set dressing for impromptu weaponry throughout the film, for which Yuen Kwai, the choreographer, can take great pride in. Using a more modern style of fighting there is no evidence of wires - greatly appreciated and something I have been looking forward to in a long time. For the run time there was just enough fight scenes – always leave them wanting more but don't starve the audience!!

Some reviewers have commented on the characters negatively and to a point I agree they are underwritten. However, Tcheky Karyo is no crazier here than in `Doberman' or as Gary Oldman is in `Leon', so are we to believe that all French policemen are mad? NO, it's a film!! As Jet‘s character relies on expression and silent intensity rather than dialogue, thus the antithesis to this is the exuberant psychopathic styling of Karyo. Perhaps they have given Jet less dialogue because of his level of English, if this is so he will need to redress this problem soon to make his transition to Hollywood, as we are unable to fully gauge his acting ability. What we see is the same career hardened, duty and honour bound character that is only unsure of himself when around women in an intimate situation (eg; Hung Hei Kwoon in `New Legend Of Shaolin'). Bridget Fonda pulls off an atypical ‘hooker with a heart of gold' role and is perfunctory. If you want female characterization watch `Crouching Tiger…' She is purely a plot device giving Jet's character the necessary emotional arc to carry himself through the film and when he is kicking this much a**e who are we to argue?

Of the casting there was only one real blight for me and that was the casting of Burt Kwouk and Ric Young. There are many Oriental actors out there so why do they insist on using the same ones? Indeed some of the acting jobs I have done have been basically my version of Burt which begs the question do casting directors really think all Chinese are the same? Ric Young puts another sleazy camp Chinese onto his CV and the sooner he gets less work the better.

There have also been comments on the fact that everyone does martial arts. Of course they do it's a martial arts action film. If I remember correctly I believe that martial arts is very popular in France and the police should have unarmed combat training but obviously not to the level of a Chinese policeman thus taking care of that argument. At least this time there are no street thugs who are gung-fu masters. There is no level of self-indulgent stylization of the fighting a'la `The Matrix' and the homage to `Leon's storming of a police station puts the Wachowski's film in the shade. Thankfully there was very little slow motion and in general the impacts and techniques were visible onscreen. For once there were no close-ups of foots in the face without the full shot of the damaging kick. If only Jet Li was in the next `Matrix' sequels.

The gunplay is atypical of an action movie and no better or worse than the standard hip-firing fare. I believe that all gunfights should carry a certain level of realism when necessary. I have trained in weapons and martial arts and I didn't really think this film needed it and thankfully there were no continuity errors (see my review of Saving Private Ryan).

Overall this is a brutal, well-made, well-paced martial arts action film with a wry sense of humour, showing the Americans how to use a Hong Kong movie star. Jet Li said this was for an R-rated audience and thankfully that is what they have given us. This rates with `Once Upon A Time In China' and `Fist Of Legend' as Jet Li's best. If you like Chinese action films you'll like this. For those other arty types, watch `That Obscure Object Of Desire', my favourite Bunuel. **** 1/2/*****

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Rangers lead the way....

[25 August 2001]

American, overlong, sentimentally contrived, brutally realistic, overrated but still worthy of high praise, `Saving Private Ryan' is a testament to what can be done to highlight moments of a country's history.

Okay I admit I am British-born and I am going to mention the lack of any other nationality in the film, so I shall start with this obvious moot point.

What annoys people is that Tom Hanks' unit never comes across someone of another nation as they move inland and not the superlative and startlingly realized opening. Anyone who knows the slightest bit of history knows that the airborne forces were miss-dropped all over Normandy. Having said that if we British complain so much about the non-representation of our forces in American films why don't we make something equally as jaw-dropping, after all most of the technicians on the film were British? I'll tell you why not. After the release of his film `A Bridge Too Far' in 1977, director Richard Attenborough said he would never make another film whilst participants in the historical event were still alive. Why? Because veterans of the Parachute Regiment complained that they had been made out to be TOO heroic. Hollywood makes `U-571' we make `Enigma', go figure. We should stop taking pot shots at our American cousins, who did bail us out of the war even if it was late in coming, and make some films to redress the balance.

What rankles the most is the underhand way in that Spielberg comments on Field Marshall Montgomery. So he was egotistical – show me a military leader who isn't but to have two field officers passing judgement?? Come on. The soldiers I spoke to were more bothered about keeping themselves alive than worrying about how they rated their commanders. Most of my family were killed in China, many of my South African relatives fought in Africa and Europe. My grandfather and father's friends included bomber pilots, paras and Chindits, so I understand the need to honour these men. I have visited Pointe Du Hoc and I have full admiration for the Rangers that tackled their objectives. But I digress.

The opening is phenomenal and is being recreated, derisorily, time and again in computer games. Nothing has captured the sense of what it must have been like but this goes some way to accomplishing that. The first time viewed I don't think I breathed out.

Unfortunately after such a visceral experience there is always going to be a comedown, physiologically this is what is going to happen with adrenalin and thus the viewer is unwittingly experiencing what an infantryman might have gone through. The comedown for the audience however, is in the film's pacing.

The mid-section does drag and yes maybe this is to show the lulls between the fighting etc. But if I wanted to experience boredom and nothing I would do nothing. Or I would watch `The Thin Red Line' a truly dull experience. Indeed this lack of pacing is noticeable on repeat viewing.

The characterization is not fully realized for such a running time and many of the characters remain clichéd eg: dependable Sarge, the coward. Nevertheless this does not detract from the film as the casting compensates in their visual appearance. From just their looks we are compelled and can empathize.

The cinematography, editing, and sound are all first rate, as we have come to expect from Spielberg although the shafts of light were unnecessary. The washed out colours added a texture of reality and, with the age of digital film-making, the look of the film is far from the normal sheen of fantasy - an edge of documentary lending itself.

On a technical note, and perhaps superficial, there are a few errors that irritate. Firstly why do they use the mortar shells when they have grenades on their belts, which stay unused? Having practised fire support team drills why does Mellish not carry the spare ammo? The unit has two bazookas and yet they leave one lying around. Lastly continuity should have picked up the fact that Tom Hanks' pistol suffers stoppages twice consecutively when he is firing at the Tiger tank, an impossibility. But these are minor complaints.

Overall ****/***** far better than `The Thin Red Line' and on a par with `A Bridge Too Far'.

True Vengeance (1997 Video)

Bernhardts' best film so far

[24 August 2001]

Being a martial arts film fan has its ups and downs, as you come across a lot of dross. However, this film was refreshing in that it was quite brutal about it's content. It was an adult action film therefore it had adult action in it. The main character was single minded in his objective and nothing would stop him. Basically he was a hard man.

The fights are pretty much by the numbers stuff but there is at least one kick of note, allowing Bernhardt to show his flexibility. It was pretty well paced and contained all the conventional set-ups for a fight (eg; has to ask some "tough guys" some questions they don't want to answer)

As in all these B movies the gunfights have no basis in reality but are done with enough aplomb to be passable.

All in all a real Friday night treat. Pizza and beers boys and you'll enjoy. And by far better than Perfect Target or Bloodsport 3 & 4.

Attack Force Z (1981)

A childhood favourite.

[24 August 2001]

War films formed the basis of many a childhood, mine included, and this film is a firm favourite of mine, my brother and my cousin.

Made by the Australian film industry it is one of two films about the Australian Special Task Force Z during the Second World War. It shows that the war in the Pacific was not won solely by the Americans and that the Japanese occupation of China was brutal to anyone who would oppose them. Having seen photos of what the Japanese did to Chinese relatives of mine and to the population of China in general this film goes someway to highlight a rather forgotten piece of history.

Having said that, taking the film as an action/ war drama it is well paced and fairly realistic with but one feat of fantasy. As cinematic trivia it is noteworthy for the performances of Mel Gibson, Sam Neill and singer/actress Sylvia Chang pre-stardom. The star that never was, John Phillip Law takes centre stage for the most part but is beaten for intensity by Gibson as the young officer. The effects are a bit ropey, the blood has the red paint quality of war films of the late 60's - early 70's, but this adds to the charm.

If you like "men on a mission" films you should enjoy this.

NB- For more films on the Z Special Forces see "Heroes" 1 and 2 (made for tv). "Heroes 2" follows the same failed real-life mission as the second of the two Australian films whose title escapes me.