Wanted: Dead or Alive

release year: 1986
genre: action
viewing setting: home Bluray 9/16/26 and 7/21/22 and home DVD 12/1/09 and 6/16/01

synopsis: A terrorist enters the U.S. and begins plotting and doing terrible things, and it's up to a lone-wolf bounty hunter to find and stop him.

impressions: This reminded me a lot of Invasion U.S.A. except that the good guy here was less unstoppable. This is a no-frills, no-BS, no-millions-of-dollars action movie, meaning it's good without going overboard in any way (acting, effects, silly plot.) It's got a tight plot that moves along, a few central and important characters, some fighting, some shooting, some tragedy, some revenge, some fighting, and some explosions. There's also the standard 1980s feature of the hero having a big, unique home where he keeps his arsenal of weapons, his vehicles, and other random things.

something this movie has that no other movie has: A grenade in someone's mouth, then the pin gets pulled, resulting in the classic line "Fuck the bonus."

acting: Rutger Hauer does a good job as a slightly off-kilter, but effective, hero. Gene Simmons is the evil terrorist and he is sufficiently ruthless and efficient. William Russ is the hero's best friend and contact point with the police.

final word: Good, basic action in the 1980s mold.

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