Merolliv
I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.
actionfilm-2
Robert Patrick (Copland, The Marine) is Johnny Ransom, head honcho of a squad of jungle fighters who are ambushed by the enemy at the close of the Vietnam war. Ransom escapes but rather than taking the freedom bird home decides to head back into the bush to exact revenge on the Soviet adviser responsible for the death of several of his men, and to rescue what's left of his squad from Charlie. His superiors are more than happy to send him and a few men on his quest, but only as long as they rescue a communist defector being held by the Soviet officer and the NVA.Robert Patrick worked with re-known action director Cirio Santiago previously in another Philippine lensed Vietnam war film called Eye of the Eagle, where his character was also named Johnny Ransom. The two films don't seem to be related so it appears Cirio was simply fond of the name. The director throws in a bit of intrigue and romance, but the film remains combat oriented with plenty of Cirio's patented firefights. Robert Patrick portrayed Col. Tom Ryan, head of the covert military team in the excellent television series The Unit, and it's interesting to think of his character Ransom as a precursor to Ryan, giving a glimpse into what the Colonel's character may have been like in his youth, especially given the film's finale.
