Wanted: Dead or Alive

I recently revisited "Wanted Dead Or Alive" after a period of almost 20 years. The film's really stood the test of time and it's a shame there weren't any sequels produced. Rutger Hauer's time as an action hero was short-lived.

The film's low budget roots can't be missed but there are enough strong performances from the cast to carry the movie. Hauer's bachelor loft is the ultimate guy pad and, in my opinion, worth watching the movie for. To say his crib is cool is the understatement of the year.

Gene Simmons delivers the goods as a thoroughly nasty baddie.

Great '80s "B"-movie fun.

The former CIA operative in the Middle East Nick Randall (Rutger Hauer) is presently a bounty hunter in Los Angeles. He chases most wanted guys to get the reward and is saving money for repairing a vessel. He intends to retire and travel around the world with his girlfriend Terry (Mel Harris) and his best friend is Detective Danny Quintz (William Russ). After a terrorist attack in a movie theater, Randall is assigned to catch the evil terrorist, Malak Al Rahim (Gene Simmons), who has killed more than 140 persons in his attempt. However, the real intention of his disaffection from CIA, John Lipton (Jerry Hardin), is to use Randall as a bait to catch Malak. Terry and Danny are murdered by one terrorist and Randall discovers that the Malak's agenda is to blow-up a chemical facility and kill thirty thousand persons. But Randall now seeks revenge against Malak.

"Wanted: Dead or Alive" is a B-movie full of clichés, but supported by good actors. Today I have just seen is again (01 May 2013) and the promising beginning unfortunately becomes a totally predictable story. The conclusion is awful, with Randall chasing Malak in a refinery crowded with policemen, detectives and agents and nobody hears the shooting. Anyway this movie entertains. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Exterminador Implacável (on DVD)" ("Implacable Exterminator") or "Procurado Vivo ou Morto" (on VHS) ("Wanted Dead or Alive")

Action all the way, this is Hauer at his best. I first saw this movie about ten years ago, and remembered it only for its final scene; I still remembered the line "**** the bonus!". When watching the film again all these years later, unlike most movies, I actually got more from it than the first time I saw it. For action fans everywhere, put this on your must-see list.

Unassuming 80s b-grade action joint that delivers on what counts. Helping largely is the charismatic performance of Rutger Hauser as a former CIA agent turned bounty hunter on the trail of international terrorist planting bombs around L.A, which is played with menacing glee by Gene Simmons. His slimy character is one real nasty piece of work. Hauser just reeks of coolness clutching at his pump-up shotgun and harmonica. There's a great final exchange of dialogue by Hasuer to Simmons' captive character.

Director / co-writer Gary Sherman (""Vice Squad", "Dead & Buried" and "Death Line") keeps it tightly engaging with well-timed, punishing action set-pieces that pack a punch and devious plotting keeps one step ahead. The laid-back script throws up some macho, but memorable dialogues. What occurs isn't anything out of the ordinary and plot progression can become contrived, but the familiar, straight-forward nature has its excitement and the performances are suitably tailored. The support has some reliable faces in the shape of Jerry Hardin, Robert Guillaume, Mel Harris and William Russ. Very 80's soundtrack too. But that's not a bad thing here.

"I hate getting stabbed in the back."

This is the type of hero, we all need. Someone who can handle the situation and get the job done! And done indeed, he does as 'Nick Randall', a bounty hunter with a proved ability for survival.

I hadn't followed Rutger's rolls very closely until he played a very controlling and virtually unstoppable cereal-murderer.

Eric Red's story and Robert Harmon's directed film, 'The Hitcher'. A thriller that makes the hairs on your neck stand straight up, with a strange echoing eeriness.

Rutger was 'mesmurizing' in the roll that he just, took over. He was aptly the killers's killer.

I walked out of the theater stunned at his absolutely convincing performance. So when I went and saw, 'Wanted' with the reversal of 'rolls' for Rutger, Hell! He goes back and forth through 'Goodguy' 'Badguy' 'Protag' and 'Antag' character rolls better than Sylvester Stallone or Kevin Costner, even better than Harrison Ford for crying out loud.

This man has that skilled ability, to lay it out unmistakably. The Hero that Nick Randall is in "Wanted: Dead or Alive" is a 'Snake-Eater'. First zero's in on his target and sets it up, then hit's them hard, knocking them down and then out. He is a 'Patriot', that doesn't want to be 'Snowed' by anyone. He is a strong man and yet he's a caring friend to fellow actor William Russ's character ((the L.A. officer Danny Quintz and even Agent Walker of the F.B.I. who considers him a 'Friend' for over 15 years)) the most impressive part(s) to me are when you can feel the emotionally-loaded response from Hauer's 'Randall'. You see him angry, hot, sweating feeling the strain. He is broken down emotionally with tears in his eyes at the death of his friend and his new love'Terry' whose lives have been brought to an 'abrupt end' by an anti-American group of killers. He still doesn't lose accurate focus under the pressure of his 'cover' being given away to his enemy, 'used as live bait' by those supposedly on his side of the fence (for their own strategic manoeuvrings).

Even so, he forces himself not to stop or even slow down but follows his conscience through to the very ending of this Government contracted game, in which they are involved with 'holy-waring' terrorists. Rock group lead-singer Gene Simmons plays a jihad-violent terrorist that is a madman out to appease himself and his killing partners. Even with Simmons who plays well, he knows being an Israeli what it feels like to have a terrorist organization plotting to destroy your very existence.

An incredible action movie that blows doors off of many others in this film 'genre'. If you haven't seen this one, but you have seen 9/11 on the television news and the papers...do yourself a favor, rent or buy this on D.V.D, watch it and feel better.

This was not four-star acting. But the story can take you through if you're into it. It's like a late night made for television feature to be honest...but its fun. No fear but loss, triggering anger, causing Nick to bring about 'exacting' vengeance and then...comforting relief. (**)