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06/13/2007
Rant No.4
Ticker
Well, 2 rants in a row...I must be on a roll. This one concerns possibly the worst film I've ever seen.
Before I start, I must at first lay down my position on martial arts films. On the whole I like them. Most reviewers who put them down seem to miss the obvious fact that these are not about oscar winning performances. After all, did anyone complain when Bruce Willis did'nt bag a gong for his role in Die Hard? No, of course not, because it's an Action MOVIE!
So, when your watching Nico or Bloodsport your expecting some top class martial arts, agreed they should be interspersed with a half decent story, but top acting is not what you should be expecting. Jet Lee may be the exception here, as his performances seem to get better and better, see Unleashed or Fearless for 2 examples.
OK, back to the rant, now I love the early Segal movies, I think Aikido is one of the most skillful martial arts out there and I love seeing it used well. Films like Hard To Kill, Out For Justice and even the Under Siege films show some brilliant examples.
So, when Ticker appeared featuring Segal alongside Dennis Hopper, as yet another mad bomb maker (another Speed) and Tom Sizemore, another respected actor (Saving Private Ryan) I was expecting something a bit special.
What I got was a big pile of...well, I'd say see for yourself, but really, dont.
Segal plays some sort of Buddhist Zen leader of the Bomb Disposal Unit. Hopper is obviously killing everyone there is, and Sizemore is the detective on his heels.
Now remember, the redeeming factor of any Segal film is the Aikido and his skill in using it. Say what you like about the bloke, but he is lethal. So, it was a huge shame bordering on insane ridiculousness that the major fight scene was shot in the dark! With occasional noises of "oomph" and "Urrr" and interspersed with close up headshots of Segal looking mean. And that was it! What on earth were they thinking?
Back to the plot, Hoppers been dealt with and one bomb remains....of course it's a doozy and Sizemore is there. The clock is ticking, he's on the radio to Segal for instructions....but instead of the "cut the red wire...no the blue!" what you get is Segal philosophising with him that first he must become nothing etc and know nothing etc and only then with the patented hollywood 2 secs left on the clock may he cut the wire. Honestly, I've never seen anything like it, and pray I never do again.
Back to Segal, it's a shame that he really has seemed to have lost his way in films. The last few I've seen that were any good are quite old now, but if you like him dont go beyond Glimmer Man or Exit Wounds.
Well, glad that's off my chest.
12:10 Posted in Home Cinema | Permalink | Email this