Friday, June 5

The Devastator (1985)


Directed by Cirio H. Santiago
79 Minutes / Concorde, MGM/UA Home Video /Cropped from 1.85:1 to full screen

Yet another "Vietnam vet strikeforce reassembles independently to vanquish a serious local criminal threat years after the war"-type action flick. This time a man (Deacon Porter, Rick Hill) gets the ol' team back together to destroy a mass mary jane grower and his henchmen after the brutal murder of a good friend.

I think I've discovered a new wrinkle in my blow 'em up preferences. The closer the Italians are to the action production; the greater my enjoyment usually. Santiago and company strive for middling drama and A-Team-level action. The gun battles seem fought by blind apes with both sides armed with machine guns missing obvious targets mere feet away. Baddies often run off unharmed with puffs of lead exploding behind their backs or just fall over in a bloodless spasm.

Unfortunately, the film never relinquishes to its own stupidity, leaving the viewer bored and with very little to praise or unintentionally laugh at. Rick Hill as the "badass" lead doesn't stand out from the bevy of small time actioner mugs, even amongst his on-screen 'Nam buddies here. I did manage to get through it this time, fell asleep my first attempt, and it's a skip like my sleepy mind told me weeks back.

Film: 3.5/10
VHS Picture: 4/10
VHS Sound: 4/10

1 comment:

The Goodkind said...

I really want to see this based on the name and cover art alone. Awesome.

...do you dare tread upon the staircase?

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