Sylvester Stallone has taken fans behind the scenes of his intense preparations for Rambo 5
As previously reported by UAMC, the 72-year-old Sylvester Stallone is reprising the role of John Rambo for a fifth installment (tentatively titled Rambo 5) due to arrive in cinemas in late 2019. Filming on the project began this month with Adrian Grunberg reportedly directing. According to Geeks World Wide, the Get the Gringo director has taken charge of the shoot, with filming set to take place in London, Bulgaria and the Canary Islands.
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In the meantime, Stallone has been busy in the gym and on Instagram proving age is most definitely a number. Plot details for Rambo 5remain scarce at this point. Screen Daily published a synopsis outlining the film’s possible storyline. It reads as follows: “[Rambo] finds him[self] living on a ranch in Arizona, deeply troubled and wrestling with PTSD as he picks up casual work wherever he can.”
For more articles on Rambo and Stallone, check out some of these UAMC classics!
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“When long-time family friend and estate manager Maria informs Rambo that her granddaughter has gone missing after crossing into Mexico for a party, he sets off with her to find the youngster… What ensues is a violent descent into hell as Rambo uncovers a sex-trafficking ring,” the Screen Daily continues to report.
“He teams up with a journalist whose half-sister has also been kidnapped and must deploy all his skills to save the girls and bring down a vicious crime lord.”
The Final Rambo?
Rumored to be Rambo’s final outing – or Stallone’s at least, the film has been written by Matthew Cirulnick, whose previous credits include Paid In Full and the TV series Absenti. For more info, stay tuned to the Ultimate Action Movie Club for all our Rambo and Sylvester Stallone coverage before Rambo 5 hits theaters.
What are your thoughts on ol’ Sylvester Stallone lacing them up as John Rambo one last time? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!
But how does Shane Black’s new ‘The Predator’ stack up against Arnold’s original action classic?
It has been a long 8 years since the awesome Predators (2010), and an even longer 21 years since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s original classic Predator (1987), but the hunt has once again resumed.
For the sixth time on the big screen fans of the franchise finally get to watch these classic action movie monsters do what they do best. The Predator (directed by Shane Black) follows a group of mercenaries who try to protect a small town from an invading group of Predators. Sounds pretty interesting, right? Let’s find out how it stacks up though…
The Old Predator Hunting Party
The Predatorfranchise has gone through many creative pairs of hands in its lifetime. One of the most tantalising elements of this instalment is that it has a number of key players from the heyday of action cinema. Shane Black, who is somewhat of a icon in the offices of the Ultimate Action Movie Club, is in the directors chair.
Black was in the cast of the first film as Rick Hawkins and was an uncredited script doctor in the original film. Audiences are treated to a script written by Black and Fred Dekker who co wrote Robocop 3(1993) with comics legend Frank Miller and was also involved with many other high profile action movies of the 1990s.
The movie is produced by John Davis who has been somewhat of the caretaker of the entire Predator franchise. He has been involved in the making of every movie containing the famous monsters.
This triumph of talent has completely kept the integrity of the other entries in the Predator franchise. It’s fantastic to see to see these titans of old school action bringing back old school sci fi action movies.
Looking for more Predator coverage and news? Check out these UAMC articles below.
Looking back at the Predator franchise one of the things that really stands out is that the cast have always been not quite what you might expect from an A-list action movie. The selection of character actors has always worked to great effect and this movie is no exception.
Many changes to the cast occurred since pre production of the movie began including the possible return of Arnold Schwarzenegger and, at one time, Benicio del Toro being attached to the project. Even though this didn’t happen the on screen cast is a diverse and excellent selection of actors.
While ostentatiously starring Boyd Holbrook, standout names include a diverse ensemble of talents. You have the comedic genius of Keegan-Michael Key, emerging action star and model Olivia Munn, the always reliable talent of action stalwart Thomas Jane, Game of Thrones star Alfie Allen and the brilliant ass kicking Yvonne Strahovski who is probably best known as CIA agent Sarah Walker in the NBC spy drama series Chuck (2007–2012) and for her starring role in the critically acclaimed sci fi series The Handmaid’s Tale.
This combination of carefully picked talent really enhances the movie, with the action pedigree of the cast, they’re all completely at home with the script.
Stacking Up With The Original Predator
Clearly and utterly justifiably the original Predator (1987) is an Ultimate Action Movie classic and the big question is how does this movie compare to the original. The original movie was a sublime masterclass in storytelling, a perfect storm of script, cast, action and an original concept that is maybe one of the best sci fi concepts ever conceived.
What comes across with the new movie is the amount of carefully picked creative choices in front of and behind the camera that give the movie a really old school approach which will interest fans of the original and its sequels and spinoffs.
What are your thoughts on The Predator (2018)? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!
How Sylvester Stallone Convinced Dolph Lundgren to Join Creed 2 (2018)
Dolph Lundgren made his name as Sylvester Stallone’s Soviet destroyer, Ivan Drago, in Rocky IV but came surprisingly close to turning down the chance to reprise his signature role in Creed 2. Lundgren is set to return Drago for the hotly anticipated follow-up to Creed, which is due to arrive in cinemas on November 21st.
An Ultimate Rocky Reunion
There are scores to be settled too, with Michael B. Jordan’sAdonis Creed out for payback against Drago, the man who killed his father, Carl Weathers’ Apollo Creed, in Rocky IV. Adonis won’t be going up against Drago in the ring though with his son, Viktor (Florian Munteanu), set to go toe-to-toe with the younger Creed in a fight that could have fatal consequences for all involved. It’s fast shaping up to be essential viewing for fans of Rocky, Lundgren and Stallone, who will also return as Creed’s trainer, Rocky Balboa. Brigitte Nielsen is also thought to be returning as Ivan’s wife, Ludmilla Vobet Drago.
The Dolphster Returns
But Lundgren has revealed to Cinema Blend that he was initially hesitant about the character returning for the sequel amid concerns about how Drago might be perceived by viewers. “It was a bit strange. It’s a bit weird. Because at first I didn’t want to do it because I thought it would kind of sad,” he said.
“I didn’t want to hurt that image because it’s like an iconic character that people, especially people who work out, really look up to this guy.” Ultimately, Lundgren was convinced to sign up for the film after reading the script for Creed 2, written by Stallone along with Cheo Hodari Coker.
A Chance for Redemption
Lundgren explained during a Q&A at Comic-Con Portugal (via Look Mag):
“…the script was really good and I get a chance to show another side of the same man 35 years later, and more of a damaged, struggling side. I used some of my own life that I’ve been through the last 35 years in this character, so it’s kind of full circle. So it turned out to be a really great experience for me.”
“A real dramatic challenge, but also a great experience to look back at my own career the way he looks back at his career as a fighter. There’re some parallels that I think are kind of unique. Because usually you don’t revisit the character 35 years later. Somebody else will play it. You get a new James Bond. Except, of course, Stallone has done it, so I guess I’m in good company there.”
And while the film is set to focus on Adonis and Viktor’s in-the-ring battle, don’t rule out the idea of Ivan and Rocky trading blows just yet.
What are your thoughts on Dolph Lundgren and the upcoming Creed 2? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!
How Conan O’Brien’s ‘Walker, Texas Ranger Lever’ Gave Chuck Norris New Life.
It’s hard to believe, but Conan O’Brien is celebrating 25 years of having his own talk show. Coincidentally, Walker, Texas Ranger, the famous TV show starring ultimate action movie legend Chuck Norris is also celebrating its 25th anniversary.
While these two programs, which you would think should never have anything to do with each other, will forever be linked together thanks to a gag which still keeps giving to this day.
Let’s look at the history of Conan’s Walker, Texas Ranger lever, and how it gave a once storied franchise (and Chuck Norris himself) new life.
Late Night with Conan O’Brien premiered on September 13, 1993, and save for a few writers’ strikes and network TV kerfuffles, Conan has been a mainstay of late night programming in the US and abroad ever since.
While his shtick has always been a sarcastic blend between high brow New York intellectualism and low brow poop jokes, Conan has endeared younger audiences with memorable gags and his outlandish humor. Conan famously debuted his Walker, Texas Ranger lever in 2004 when NBC purchased Universal, which gave Conan’s show “royalty free” access to the entire catalogue of Walker, Texas Ranger episodes.
This also gave Conan, Andy Richter and their writing team a great opportunity to poke fun at the show – which was a prime-time hit in its day, but a little out-of-touch by 2004 standards. However, while the premise may have been sardonic at first, it quickly became rather fun, over-the-top and, well, actually really awesome.
Originally conceived by a production team at the short-lived Cannon Television, Walker, Texas Ranger came to the small screen in the spring of 1993 on CBS. It would go on to last 8 full seasons into 2001 and has since been broadcast in over 100 countries and to both critical and commercial acclaim.
The show, set in Dallas, Texas, puts Chuck Norris as Sgt. Cordell Walker, a member of the Texas Rangers Division of Texas law enforcement, a prestigious and historic division that handles high crimes and special investigations. Walker is joined by Clarence Gilyard as Texas Ranger Sgt. James “Jimmy” Trivette, Sheree J. Wilson as D.A. Alexandra “Alex” Cahill, Noble Willingham as retired Texas Ranger Captain C.D. Parker (as well as some replacement characters in later seasons and a deep stable of recurring roles).
As is obvious to any ultimate action movie fan, the show owes its origins to Chuck Norris‘ iconic role as J.J. McQuade in Lone Wolf McQuade (which UAMC regards as the most ultimate Chuck Norris action movie of all time – twice in fact). With a premise as such, Walker expectedly solves episodically tough cases every week that usually end with him roundhousing a bad guy through a window to deliver final justice. As a kid growing up watching the show, I can say that it’s as awesome now as it was then. It’s great for rewatching and fits nicely into its television boxed slots so you can enjoy one episode on its own or binge watch them back to back for hours.
By the time Walker, Texas Ranger made its way to Conan’s show, Chuck Norris and Walker had taken somewhat of a beating. While the show was awesome, it perhaps dragged on a season or two too long. Action movies were in a bad spot by 2004 (read about the ultimate action movie era here).
So, when Conan first pulled the Walker, Texas Ranger lever for the first time, audiences who might not have ever seen the show (or definitely not watched it in a long time) were greeted with out-of-context and often over-the-top clips that showcased just some of the wild plots and funny performances contained therein.
Yet, when that lever was first pulled, while audiences at first responded with laughter, they quickly turned to cheers. The crowd would almost instantly begin to chant and urge Conan on for clip after clip. Conan would often make a game of this, pretending to be done then lunging for one more moment from Walker’s outlandish career. As far as Conan’s gags go, the Walker, Texas Ranger lever quickly surpassed the driving desk and the masturbating bear to become one of his most famous and recognizable bits. And before long, it took on a life of its own.
From the Walker, Texas Ranger lever on, you can directly trace the mainstream resurgence of Chuck Norris to Conan O’Brien’s sketch and into the national lexicon. Chuck Norris facts become one of the internet’s first major meme phenomenons as they swept across the globe and gave the name Chuck Norris an almost superhuman prestige.
There were (and are) many, many other ultimate action movie actors to idolize, but Chuck Norris rose to the top – and for years to come – thanks to this national fad. And while it may have been ironic at first (and perhaps always), it was still always mixed with awe and enjoyment.
If you watch the Walker, Texas Ranger lever clips now, people laugh, for sure. But you can hear the decibels grow as audiences react to the action in the show. They root for Walker instinctively at a level that surpases the ironic and into the sincere. While Chuck Norris went on to only marginally capitalize on his newly restored fame with some small forays into more mainstream roles (like this famous clip from DodgeBall), the same tone would be adapted by other action movie stars and can still be seen today in Jean Claude Van Damme’s career (like his recently cancelled Jean Claude Van Johnson TV show) and others from the same era.
As both fans of Chuck Norris (and to lesser extend Conan O’Brien’s), the Ultimate Action Movie Club will always hold the Walker, Texas Ranger lever close to our hearts as a way in which the ultimate action movie heroes of our past were honored and found new life in the dredges of the early 2000s when action movies almost went away forever.
As such, on the 25 year anniversary of both Conan O’Brien’s show and Walker, Texas Ranger, we do them both right by honoring the ultimate legacy of the Walker, Texas Ranger lever.
Watch for yourself below and enjoy the ultimate awesomeness!
What are your thoughts on Conan’s Walker, Texas Ranger lever and the ultimate legacy of Chuck Norris? Let us know in the comments below!
Shane Black reveals how close Arnold came to reprising his role as Dutch in ‘The Predator’
On the heels of The Predator hitting theaters, Shane Black has confirmed that Arnold Schwarzenegger was not only considered appearing as Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer in the latest feature, but it actually came pretty close. As UAMC remembers, Black starred alongside Arnie in the 1987 original – Predator – but took a role behind the camera for the fourth instalment in the franchise as writer and director.
Arnold’s Iconic Role as Dutch
Reports had suggested Schwarzenegger was being lined up to return as Dutch for the sequel but it wasn’t to be with Black confirming as much in an interview with Digital Spy. According to Black, the original script for The Predator saw Dutch returning to the fold in the film’s third act to help Boyd Holbrook et al take on the alien hunter. Black confirmed that he even met with Schwarzenegger to discuss his return but that the Austrian Oak ultimately turned it down because he wanted a more substantial part in proceedings.
As a result, the film’s ending had to be rewritten while plans several toys bearing Arnie’s likeness also had to be ditched. “The studio wanted a fresher movie that featured an evolving cast. They didn’t want to hinge the movie on the re-emergence of Schwarzenegger,” Black told Digital Spy.
“It would probably be more of a matter of his showing up briefly and just participating at the very end, at the climax of the movie. Understandably, and believe me, I completely get it, he said, ‘Look, that’s kind of a small part, and I don’t really think I want to do that. I’m off to do Terminator with Jim Cameron, basically. Or for Jim Cameron’.”
Arnold’s Other Role Offers
It’s not the first time Schwarzenegger has turned down the chance to reprise the role. He famously said no to Predator 2 after objecting to the film’s script and the choice of Stephen Hopkins as director, opting to instead focus his efforts on Terminator 2. Paul W.S. Anderson also approached Schwarzenegger about a possible appearance in Aliens vs Predator. Arnie pulled out of the planned appearance, however, after being elected Governor of California.
Schwarzenegger was also offered a cameo role in Predators, while still Governor of California, but simply couldn’t fit it into his busy schedule. And while he said no to Black this time around, the director believes there’s still a possibility Schultz could make a comeback in another sequel. “If there’s another movie, there’s no reason why he couldn’t be either in it, or the star of it, or whatever someone decides at a future date,” he told Digital Spy.
Still, in light of The Predator’s mixed reviews, we can always wonder just how much more ultimate it could have been with Arnold back as Dutch…
What are your thoughts on The Predator and Arnold’s almost involvement? Let us know in the comments!
Before the interview begins, the following is the synopsis that IMDB provides for American Ninja 2: “On a remote Caribbean island, Army Ranger Joe Armstrong investigates the disappearance of several marines, which leads him to The Lion, a super-criminal who has kidnapped a local scientist and mass-produced an army of mutant Ninja warriors.”
Check out the trailer above (with a voice-over by the greatest voice-over talent who ever lived, the late Don LaFontaine).
UAMC Speaks with Emelia Weavind
John Acquavita: Ms. Weavind, on behalf of the Ultimate Action Movie Club, allow me to first thank you very much for your time and participation. My first contribution to this website was an article about “American Ninja,” released in 1985 by Cannon Films. I’m a huge fan of the series. (See attached for images of the film’s original poster and an “American Ninja 2″ promotional postcard I had acquired.) You worked on its 1987 sequel, “American Ninja 2: The Confrontation”. Can you tell us about your involvement in the film?
Emelia Weavind: “American Ninja 2” was my second film in the industry, straight after 1987’s “My African Adventure”, starring Deep Roy and Dom DeLouise, directed by Boaz Davidson. My job description was that of “stand-by set dresser”. I had no idea what that meant, but I soon learned from the continuity supervisor what was expected of me. It was hard and tough, but it was amazing. We learned with every mistake we made, and we learned from mature professionals. The Cannon team were mostly Israelis in charge during those times in South Africa. I did not know a thing about how the demographics of films worked, but I was young and keen, and did (and undid), whatever I had to do. Sam Firstenberg, the director, noticed my dedication to my job, such as sweeping the beach during lunch of footprints in order to get a scene reset after lunch, and even spoke harshly to the film technicians returning from lunch and walking right across a beach I had spent my lunch time trying to get rid of their footprints; that impressed me. It was my responsibility to have the set “film ready”, at any time, for the next set-up. I know this now, I did not know it then, but thanks to the strict hand of Roselle Fogelmann, our script supervisor, I learned hard and fast.
JA: How much interaction did you have with Menahem Golan and/or his cousin, Yoram Globus? EW: None whatsoever, I was too low down the line. I knew who they were, and I know that they did not know who I was.
Working with Michael Dudikoff and Steve James
JA: How about the film’s stars, Michael Dudikoff and the late Steve James? EW: Michael and Steve were always very friendly and warm to all the South African film crew, a pleasure to work with, kind and without any egos. They were like crew, treating us as equals, seriously good, salt of the earth cast, specially Michael, with whom I moved on to do another four films. They sometimes used to hang out with me in the lunch tent, the only shelter we had, no pop-out bangers or even civilian caravans of the period. I am still a huge rock fan, never moved without my Ghetto Blaster (you can Google that), and they loved the music: Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, etc., the never-ending list of decent music.
JA: With several Cannon projects on his resume (including “Revenge of the Ninja”, “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo” and “Avenging Force” among others), the film’s director, Sam Firstenberg, is legendary to many Cannon Films fans. Can you tell us a little about working with him? EW: Sam is a living LEGEND, always looking out for everyone, even the little ones like me, always appreciative and friendly, what a legend, love that man!
Scenes from American Ninja 2: The Confrontation
JA: “American Ninja 2” was filmed in South Africa. What was that experience like? I’m curious to know if you knew how Steve James felt about it. EW: The experience was amazing, happy and fulfilling. We did not know any better, but you do not need to know if you are happy and having a good time and enjoying what you are doing, even though it was a tremendous learning curve for every single South African crew member. I remember Steve as a more private person. He did not engage much with us, but I am purely speaking for myself as a rookie stand-by set dresser. Please take in consideration that those films were shot in South Africa during the Apartheid Era. He may not have felt comfortable with that. I would not know; I was not brought up by racist parents. We had no idea about what was broadcasted to the outer world. The government kept that away from us, so I thought he was a bit “aloof”, compared to Michael. But that was then; we have all moved on.
JA: I’d like to ask you about the script for a moment. Was the dialog set in stone, or were actors given freedom to improvise? EW: I was too inexperienced and busy trying to understand what my responsibilities were during filming that I did not pick up a thing. Judging from my experience now, I will not be surprised that not many people stuck to the dialogue or continuity issues in those days. It’s no wonder our script supervisors were so grumpy back then!
JA: Overall, what was the best and worst parts of working on “American Ninja 2” for you? EW: The worst part was that without any training whatsoever, being only my second film, I did not know what my rights were. You did what you were told, without questioning, working 12 to 18 hours a day. You did what had to be done in order to be ready for the next day’s filming. I did a few 16- to 18-hour workdays consecutively, on a far remote location, woke up in a half-way turned over pickup in a steep ditch at 3 a.m., and realized that I had fallen asleep behind the wheel while driving home. I was not seriously injured, but the rental pickup was. I was told by management that I was negligent for working those hours, and that I had to pay for the damages to the vehicle, so I resigned; I knew that I could not possibly be held responsible for the damages. The situation was resolved, I finished the film, and did not have to pay, and the excess of that accident was more than I earned on the job. Safety in those years was not a priority. The rest of the film was an absolute blast; I loved every single moment of it.
Working on Cannon Films Classics
JA: Have you worked on other Cannon Films projects? If so, which ones? EW: Yes …
“My African Adventure” – Boaz Davidson – 1987 (also known as “Going Bananas”)
“American Ninja 2” – Sam Firstenberg – 1987
“Journey 1 and 2” – Albert Pyun – 1987
“Platoon Leader” – Aaron Norris – 1988
“River of Death” – Steve Carver – 1989
“American Ninja 4” – Cedric Sandstrom – 1990
“Cyborg Cop” – 1993 – Cannon by that time had changed their name to “Nu Metro” – same producers
JA: With several books, documentaries and websites dedicated to Cannon Films, the organization has a tremendous fan base today, decades after they made their last film. To what do you attribute that? EW: In my world, as a far-away cheap location to experiment and do what they did, they provided me with a solid learning platform. They taught set etiquette, enforced respect and to respect well deserved, and highly earned positions of hierarchy and responsibilities. They always had a plan, and we always stuck to the plan. There was no other way: no shortcuts such as cell phones, computers and all other contemporary tech, respect, discipline and honor. Plan ahead and stick to your plan, follow your instincts — and deliver.
JA: Finally, if you were given the choice of having a larger hand in the production of a smaller-budget film or a smaller hand in a major Hollywood motion picture, which would you choose and why? EW: A no-brainer. I started from knowing less than zero with Cannon. My first set decoration job was on “Platoon Leader”. My fifth film came within one year, just a young South African girl thrown into the deep end. I have moved on, and I would much rather take on the role of having a bigger say in a smaller production, in order to pass my experience and knowledge onto seriously keen youngsters. An Israeli construction manager, Pini Ben Ishai, saw potential in me, while I was a painter and sculptor on “River of Death”. Production struggled to get a set decorator and Pini suggested that they give me the opportunity. At that stage, I was a junior carpenter on his team, production took his advice, and Pini nurtured me through the film. He inspired me to do what I do today. Hollywood does not need me, and I do not need Hollywood.
An Ultimate Action Movie Legend
JA: I’d like to thank you again for your time today. We at UAMC sincerely appreciate it. If many of the site’s readers and contributors are anything like me, the output of Cannon Films will forever live long in our hearts here. EW: I could not agree more. So many younger producers urge me to remove my older work from my CV, as it is too long, 22 pages. They say: Nobody these days wants to read a big CV like that. It contains too much information. Who cares about who were the directors and producers?” To that, I say: “The directors and producers — the right ones — care, and that is why the information will remain on my CV. If my CV is too laborious for a director or producer to page through, then I know that I am not the person for their next film. Done, tried and tested.
Part Tony Manero, part Rocky Balboa, John Acquavita is a N.Y.-area transplant currently living in Ohio. He uses his “particular set of skills” to contribute to various websites covering 1980s-era action movies.
Let us know what you what you think in the comments or on our Facebook page!
How “The Boz” turned from football star to action movie legend in Stone Cold (1991).
I recently had the great pleasure of watching a Harley Davidson-sponsored screening of the immortal Brian Bosworth aka “The Boz” action classic Stone Cold. It was a generous crowd, although it should’ve been a packed one in my opinion. After all, this is Stone Cold. It was, however, packed with bikers. Multi generational too. Old bikers. Young bikers. Big bikers. Small bikers. And in the middle was me, decked out in cargo shorts and a Star Wars shirt. I know, I know. “You wore a Star Wars shirt to Stone Cold??” That’s right, I did. I’m not that guy. Besides, I don’t have a Stone Cold shirt anyway, so leave me alone.
But during the screening, I also noticed many others from different backgrounds. All different ethnicities. And it got me thinking: what makes Stone Cold so special? What is it about this movie about a badass cop who infiltrates a biker gang that has allowed it to transcend cultural lines? To be loved by almost everyone who has seen it? Honestly, I’ve never met a person who didn’t like it. Hell, I have female friends who like it, even as most movies like this aren’t their cup of tea. So what is it about this particular movie?? Well, let’s take a look at it, shall we?
Stone Cold stars “The Boz” as Joe Huff, a “cop who plays by his own rules” (Is there any other kind?). He is blackmailed by the FBI to work with them to help bring down the dangerous biker gang The Brotherhood, led by Chains Cooper (Lance Henriksen) and his loyal lieutenant Ice (William Forsythe). Huff goes undercover as John Stone, a biker recently released from prison and begins to infiltrate the gang. Although Chains immediately takes a liking to him, Ice has his suspicions.
Things are further complicated as the gang is preparing to assassinate District Attorney Brent “The Whip” Whipperton while he’s seeking the death penalty for one of their members, who killed a priest during a baptism (Don’t ask. I have no idea why). Can Huff/Stone take down The Brotherhood in time before his cover is blown?
When we are introduced to Joe, he is casually stopping a supermarket robbery. And when I say casually, I mean casually. Just leisurely strolling through the aisles, taking out each robber one by one while flaunting quite possibly the GREATEST, MOST AMAZING MULLET OF ALL TIME! Being honest here, this is the mullet to end them all. Such a perfectly coiffed beaver pelt. A thing of manly beauty. And what pushes it over the edge is that it’s not just a mullet. It’s a blonde mullet and black mullet combined together like Voltron to give us MegaMullet: Defender of the Universe!!
Sorry. I got a little beside myself there. Won’t happen again. Now, back to the movie. This whole opening scene is a perfect example of why this movie is so beloved. For starters, the opening shot is of a security cam’s POV being blown out by a shotgun blast from the maniacal Ponytail, and his evil band of grocery store thieves. Helpless bystanders can do nothing but watch in terror as these domestic terrorists unload the cash drawers of all its ones and fives as they decimate an entire shelf of crackers with machine gun fire as Ponytail screams “I LOVE IT!!!” at the top of his lungs.
Then, just as it seems like they’re about to get away with their evil crime, in walks Huff, rocking a black leather trench coat that is so badass Matthias Hues cursed director Craig R. Baxley for not getting him one just like it for I Come in Peace, and the most glorious… sorry, sorry… and a mullet. These villains immediately start shivering in fear in the presence of this man’s man.
No scratch that, this cop’s cop. They should be. Because everything becomes a weapon to Huff when the going gets tough. Can of beans. Crisco. Himself. And after they’re all done in and defeated, but before he’s about to be chewed out by his superior for stopping the forces of evil while still on suspension (because of course he’s suspended), he walks away after uttering a badass one liner to cap off one of the greatest opening scenes in action movie history! Don’t believe me? Take a look below…
Awesome guitar riff kicks in. Roll opening credits. Now, watching that for the first time as a 7 year old kid, I immediately grew some hair on my chest and started looking for the nearest bottle of Jack Daniels. Opening scenes like that make men out of boys. And the rest of the movie is no different. Badass bikes, long and greasy mullets, and explosions galore make this the one of, if not the most ultimate dude-sweatiest movie ever made. Just a perfect heaping of logic bending awesomeness.
The type of movie where mob bosses throw grenades to teach bikers a lesson, things explode multiple times for no reason, and a man can be perfectly capable of jumping out of a helicopter that’s at least 100 feet above a building and crash through a glass ceiling just so he can power slam a bad guy that he couldn’t have possibly known was there through a window.
On the acting side, The Boz is The Boz. If we’re gonna be technical here, he’s as stiff as a board, but he really didn’t need to deliver a De Niro level performance. He just had to be The Boz. And he does that just fine. It’s Lance Henriksen and William Forsythe as the heavies who hold down the acting side of things. And it’s a blast to watch them go since they are clearly having fun with their roles as Chains and Ice, respectively. And yada yada yada, let’s get back to these explosions!
Man, the explosions are so beautiful. Just the loveliest gasoline fueled orange fireballs. Watching those glorious explosions make my heart flutter. Especially the one during the climax. Ahhh yes. The climax to this movie. 100% insanity. The Brotherhood storm the capitol building in Mississippi and all hell breaks loose. Bikers vs the Army and Police, with numerous casualties on both sides. And in the middle is Huff, taking down bad guy after bad guy. I’m telling you, this scene is bonkers. Death Wish 3level crazy. But the real gem, the crown jewel, the moment so awesome action legend Sylvester Stallone himself copied it for Expendables 2… is the Motorcycle vs Helicopter moment. A moment so skull crackingly awesome, no sentence I devise here, no words I conjure up could do it justice. So here it is, for your viewing pleasure…
And there you have it. 92 minutes of sheer masculine lunacy. What more could anyone ask for? Bikes, Bombs, Babes and The Boz. And not only just The Boz, but Lance Henriksen AND William Forsythe as the villains. And when you add The Boz + Henriksen and Forsythe + the director of Action Jackson and I Come in Peace, what you get is the cinematic equivalent to Christmas for action movie lovers. Pure joy. Pure bliss. And I believe that’s why this movie perseveres to this day. It’s a mean, hard R rated action film from the 90s with an 80s action movie aesthetic and a Saturday morning cartoon sensibility. And that’s all there is to it. It’s fun. Pure, old fashioned, action packed fun. Something we don’t get alot of these days. But it’s ok. We still have movies like Stone Cold to keep us satisfied.
Now, before I go, I wanna leave you guys with one of the most ultimate lines of dialogue in the history of motion picture cinema. Take it away, Mr. Henriksen!
With his mind utterly intoxicated off of a steady stream of movies, comics and cartoons, a young boy from Brooklyn, New York grew up to become the man known as… THE CINEMA DRUNKIE!!! Let us know what you think in the comments or on our Facebook page!
You know it, the great John Carpenter (read our write-up on all of JC’s legendary actioners here) love letter to San Fransisco truck drivers is a UAMC staple. And all parties would absolutely want to make sure that anything based on Big Trouble was done to honor the classic film’s ultimate legacy.
So, with that in mind, let’s look at what’s coming down the tubes as of late.
Hiram Garcia’s Seven Bucks Productions
First of all, the fact that this project is coming to life in any form is pretty odd as neither John Carpenter or Kurt Russell seems to have any say or insight into what is actually happening. That is because the rights for Big Trouble in Little China apparently are in possession (or at least in agreement with) Hiram Garcia and his company Seven Bucks Productions – who has produced several of The Rock’s latest features: Jumanji, Rampage, Skyscraper and the upcoming Jungle Cruise.
The Rock, Not Jack Burton
This is probably the biggest relief so far. Coming from a conversation with Garcia in a recent Collider article, Dwayne Johnson will not be Jack Burton:
There’s a lot of things going on with [Big Trouble in Little China]. We are in the process of developing that, and let me tell you, the idea is not to actually remake Big Trouble in Little China. You can’t remake a classic like that, so what we’re planning to do is we’re going to continue the story. We’re going to continue the universe of Big Trouble in Little China. Everything that happened in the original exists and is standalone and I think there’s only one person that could ever play Jack Burton, so Dwayne would never try and play that character.
While that may be vague, it is a little reassuring. However it also means that the Big Trouble and Little China universe is in jeopardy of some major level reimagining – very possibly without Carpenter’s deft direction included.
A Script is in the Works
We also know that a script has already been commissioned, is in the works, and may very well be done for now. Collider also reported earlier that writers Ashley Miller and Zach Stentz (who are best known for their recent superhero hit X-Men: First Class. It’s interesting to note that originally it appeared that this script was to put The Rock in Jack Burton’s shoes, although the studio seems to have backtracked that as of now.
John Carpenter and Kurt Russell Roles?
The big question still seems to be about John Carpenter and Kurt Russell’s involvement. Russellhad been asked about his thoughts on the project when it the rumor first came up a couple of years ago, and while he seemed hopeful for the project, he also appeared to be completely out of the loop.
Carpenter for his part has also remained equally “ambivalent” in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. So, chances are that we’d be looking at perhaps a cameo appearance to say the least.
But hey, we may at least get The Rock in a trucker hat fighting a mystically souped up version of Lo Pan, but at what costs… at what costs!!
What are your thoughts on the latest news on the Big Trouble in Little China non-remake sequel? Let us know in the comments or on our Facebook page!
While a solid modern take on the well-established Mission Impossible franchise by this point, Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation and Tom Cruise welcomed on a new director – Christopher McQuarrie. As such, the tone shifts and many of the awesome explosions and ultimate fights are now juxtaposed with some other sensibilities, as Ian Young writes:
Many other comedic elements are thrown into the movie and in feel we have something much more like the Roger Moore era of 007 James Bond movies than a dark techno thriller like entries into the Mission Impossible saga.
MI:5 also brought on some new players who don’t quite live up to the solid core of Cruise, Rhames and now Pegg’s reputations:
The conflict between hero and monster is a compelling one with some very cool twists and turns along the way but there is one snag. The performances of Harris and Fergusson are somewhat flat, this is a disappointment when you think of the amazing legacy this franchise has when it comes to the movies’ cast.
Overall, MI:5 was still a commercial and critical hit worth viewing as part of the canon or for any standalone good time. For the full review of Mission Impossible – Rogue Nation, click here to read the full article.
Back to the latest ultimate installment, Mission Impossible – Fallout has again landed the franchise another bonafide action hit! Tom Cruise, who has to be getting tired of being forced to do stunt after stunt and run like a madman every 4 to 6 years, had a difficult task ahead of him making a sixth feature up against such solid efforts before. While he most definitely succeeds (as any action star does), MI:6is great but not quite as awesome as its earlier editions.
The first thing that’s clear about this movie is that it has a much stronger sense of continuity than previous entries in the Mission Impossible franchise. Christopher McQuarrie returns to direct this installment, the first time that a director has returned to the franchise. This really does aid the film giving the audience a sense of place and continuity. Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015) does a clever job of re aligning the Mission Impossible franchise and the pay off really comes over in this instalment.
Released 6 years after MI:2, Mission: Impossible III was a true rebirth to the franchise, making some serious style and tone changes. This is in no small part due to its pretty long and at times difficult pre-production process which saw some major shakeups.
Mission Impossible 3would be released in the summer of 2006 but pre-production actually started in 2002 with Hollywood Director David Fincher. The aim was that Mission Impossible 3 would be released in 2004. As interesting as the prospect of a Fincher directed Mission Impossible was, sadly it would not come to pass. Fincher would leave the project and audiences would be denied a thriller helmed by Fincher for whom other projects awaited.
Eventually, Tom Cruise would get his man and J.J. Abrams would take the helm. And while Abrams may be a household name now, it was considered somewhat of a risk at the time. However, that risk clearly worked out for Cruise and the budding franchise.
Rewatching Mission Impossible 3you would have no idea that this was Abrams’ first feature. It is expertly directed and contains one of the best cold openings ever. The way that Abrams captures action in this movie is brilliant. He has an eye for capturing iconic spectacle and directs two of the greatest scenes in the Mission Impossible franchise. The Vatican City caper and the strike on the bridge which has got some breath taking action in it.
As the first direct sequel to the original 1996 breakout hit, Mission: Impossible II delivered the goods in a way that few franchise first sequels can. While the original was iconicized for its own thriller exploits, MI:2 really brought the franchise into the action genre with its own take on what it blockbuster audiences wanted in the new millennium.
By the summer of 2000 the action movie was absolutely back in favor with audiences and Mission Impossible had been at the very birth of that renaissance. The action movie had evolved quickly but more effort was put into special effects than star power. Films such as the The Matrix (1999) and the return of both the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises on the big screen were wowing mainstream audiences with action presented in a way they had not seen before.
MI:2 also almost single handedly ushered in a new era of blockbuster cinema by bringing in John Woo and his Hong Kong action stylings. MI:2 rocked because of Woo and his explosive trademarks and action. Period!
The action set pieces for this movie are fantastic. From the famous opening credits sequence to the escape from the lab in the second act, to the excellent final action sequence which shows off all of John Woo’s directional flair. That duel on motorbikes between Hunt and Ambrose is possibly one of the best action sequences of the early 21st century. Although the pacing of this movie may not be as tight as the first the action is well worth waiting for. It is backed up by an impressive musical score by Hans Zimmer which really enhances the action.
When looking back at the movie that started it all, Mission: Impossible was truly a generation-defining blockbuster that stands out for its uniqueness and vision in an era that was largely becoming dry for the action genre. For Tom Cruise, it was also very much a personal project and not close to a sure thing for him or an up-and-coming production company to dive into.
Paramount Pictures had the rights to make a mission impossible movie for some time but couldn’t develop anything. That was until iconic Hollywood star of the 80s Tom Cruise, who had been a childhood fan of the T.V. show growing up, grabbed the opportunity to make a film version. It was the first project for his new production company and he negotiated with Paramount on a budget of 70 million dollars.
Mission: Impossible, though, hit its mark with deadly precision thanks in part to direct Brian De Palma by creating a captivating thriller that was both intellectually engaging and smartly stylistic in ways that still feel fresh today.
In many ways Mission Impossible could have been a by the numbers, mid budget, largely forgettable chapter in action movie history but Cruise genuinely wanted to create the best possible movies he could. The foundation of creating a franchise that redefined the action movie was to pick a great director. Cruise hired Hollywood legend Brian De Palma. De Palma was a perfect choice to direct, with a reputation for producing classy, tension filled, complex action films such as Scarface (1983) and The Untouchables (1987). Da Palma had problems with the script when he came to Mission Impossible and would actually devise many of the action sequences that go into the movie.
And finally, the crowning jewel of the Mission Impossible franchise is 2011’s Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol. A direct follow-up to J.J. Abrams Mission: Impossible III 5 years later, MI: 4 really gave the franchise the legs which its still running on today.
That mix of established and new is built upon perfectly in this movie. In front of the camera we have the return of Tom Cruise and Simon Pegg from previous installments but then you have the rising stars (at the time) of current action movie legend Jeremy Renner and the incredibly talented, kick ass, female action movie star Paula Patton who add that contemporary element to the movie.
With Abrams taking on his more familiar producer role and passing the director rains to Brad Bird, MI:4soared by fully incorporating the wild stunts with stunning visuals and an exotic story that saw one of the franchise’s best leading ladies and villains.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is an absolute gem of an ultimate action movie. It takes the best of the Mission Impossible formula, throws in new elements and is backed up by a great script, which is itself a fantastic mix of elements, including humor. There was a great director behind the camera who filmed great locations, fantastic action and an awesome cast who bring all of this together. This lead to the film being a huge success worldwide both at the box office and critically and the future for the franchise was well assured.
Marky “Mark Wahlberg” Mark finally achieves his ultimate Mark Wahlberg form in his latest collaboration with his fave director Peter Berg in Mile 22 (2018). The action thriller is a full throttle, quasi-political shoot-em-up movie that delivers the bangs, punches and several cool explosions. While not faring too well on Rotten Tomatoes, it’s your standard order action thriller that, if you love your Mark Wahlbergian exploits, is worth the viewing.
The Mark Wahlberg Effect
Let’s start with the main man, Mark Wahlberg! Give it up for a guy who started his career as a male porn star in Boogie Nights to become one of the biggest names in modern action. His over-the-top man-from-the-streets demeanor is on full display in Mile 22, with some nice not-so-subtle added exploits of hyper intelligence and an obsessive compulsive disorder. Still, that doesn’t stop him from jiving it up with the French Ambassador and other foreign entities as he slaps both the bad guys and his friends around hard and often.
Rowdy Ronda Rousey
Since her cameo roles in Expendables 3 and Furious 7, Ronda Rousey added another solid acting showing to her title belt. While not a performance to write home about, per se, it was good enough to keep her scenes interesting and gave her a semi-ultimate finish. But, at the end of the day, it’s not her film. It’s Mark Wahlberg’s.
Peter Berg Strikes Again
The action oddfellow Peter Berg once again delivers the goods. This is his fourth feature collaboration with Mark Wahlberg, and like the Matrix KFC guy says, they’re getting exceptionally good at it. Before Mile 22, the duo teamed up on Lone Survivor, Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day. All solid action modern movies. While Corky Romano will always be a black eye, Peter Berg’s side-faced grin will always be in good standing with the UAMC.
Unnecessary Political Subtext
As you can see in the trailer, Mile 22 holds no punches on who the bad guys are in the film. It’s Russia, it’s Indonesia, and basically anyone who’s not American. This is because Mark Wahlberg is American, and he’s not taking any lip from anyone not representing the red, white and blue. However, from a movie perspective, it comes off a little heavy-handed and pointedly full of political subtext with lots of mentions of “drones,” “hacking” and “collusion.”
The Future Champ Iko Uwais
Since being discovered by Gareth Evans in Indonesia and exploding on the scene with Evans kickbutt silat actioners Merantau (2009), The Raid (2011), and The Raid 2 (2014), Iko Uwais has proven himself to be a possible UAMC martial arts MVP. In a movie that mostly relies on automatic rifles and grenades, Uwais packs more explosiveness even when he’s handcuffed to a hospital bed with his gut-destroying hammer fists and spinning leg sweeps. His scenes truly steal the show, and even leaves ol’ Mark Wahlberg scratching his head at the end at the ultimateness he’s just seen for the past 90 minutes.
Have you seen Mile 22 yet? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or on our Facebook page!
