Customer Reviews

Wanted Dead or Alive

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a very exciting movie, with an unexpected twist at the end.Gene Simmons is disturbingly accurate in his portrayal of an international terrorist, and Rutger Hauer plays the lone wolf bounty hunter to perfection,taking his final revenge in the end. Well worth the time spent.

I know this is an older movie,but it dates well and delivers a good job on all fronts but especially Hauer's character study of a bounty hunter..and of being a descendant of Steve McQueens' character from the tv show.

I would watch any movie with Rutger Hauer in it, he's worth it. And he's absolutely great in this one. He has emotion, sympathy in all his movies; some laughable, some corny but all the same he can do anything. You gotta love the guy.

Wanted Dead or Alive staring Rutger Hauer as a bounty hunter and Gene Simmons as a Terrorist on the loose in Los Angeles. While it was your standard blow up shootem up action movie, it has a decent storyline and likeable characters. Well acted and a little more serious than Lethal Weapon, this is definately a movie worth taking home.

To begin with, I love this movie. I saw it as a young lad when it was released direct to video in the mid to late 80s (before it's much promised, but never realised ''theatrical release'') and it has stayed with me ever since. No matter how many times I see it, or how dated it appears - it holds a special place in my 80s action movie loving heart.

The story isn't the most revelatory, but let's give it a go anyway: Rutger Hauer stars as Nick Randall (a descendant of Steve McQueen's Josh Randall TV character from the 50s), an LA based bounty hunter and ex-CIA operative (sic) making good money tracking down skip tracers for a living and also semi co-habiting with his new girlfriend Terry (Mel Harris). To shatter his near perfect existence, he is approached by former collegue Philmore Walker (played by the ever reliable Robert Guillaume) to help track down terrorist Malak Al Rahim who is blowing pieces of LA away with makeshift bombs and terrorism. Malak is played to the manor born by Kiss frontman Gene Simmons who threatens to steal the show, but can never out weirdo our Rutger, who when pushed can crank up the strangeness dial to 100.

As the story progresses and through a series of events which I won't spoil here, Randall becomes a target of Malak and vice versa which leads to a cat and mouse chase between the two, resulting in what has to be one of the best endings to an action movie . . . quite possibly ever. Both Simmons and Hauer are genuinely good in the movie and the intensity between them is what fuels this actioner along - it isn't just the usual 80s shoot 'em up. Behind the bombs and bullets is a real tension going on and that is what makes the finale all that more satisfying.

Besides a great a job from the two leads, the rest of the cast are suitably good as well. Mel Harris and Robert Guillaume are strong in their supporting roles and character actor Jerry Hardin is great as a bent FBI agent. Director Gary Sherman keeps everything moving well and orchestrates some fine action sequences on what is obviously a limited budget, but never lets the pyrotechnics get in the way of character or dramatics.

As a straight direct to video adventure flick, the movie keeps on giving in spades, but with it's topical terrorist plotline (remember, it was made in 1986) - it spookily echoes what has been going on for the past few years in our time and watching it again today it does makes you think more about the actual story than what a regular 90 minute actioner usually does. I'm not saying it has the power of a 'Syriana' or 'United 93', but it does resonate a little more than 'Rambo III' for example...

Anchor Bay's disc is it's usual level of quality, except you only get the movie and a few trailer's - but, nothing much else. The transfer is fine and is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. If like me, you love the movie, go for this Anchor Bay release but don't go expecting a loaded special edition.

All in all, it's a guilty pleasure of mine and I would probably defend it a little more than it actually deserves - but, for me it works and keeps on doing so. If you have a fond memory of 80s action movies and don't mind spending 90 minutes with a dutch blonde guy with an assortment of heavy artillary - then, this could be the one for you. Plus, that ending is a doozy... sorry, did I mention that?

This movie is probably 25 years old. But it is a great action, drama movie. My dad and my son and I watched it over and over on HBO years ago. I had been looking for it for a long time. Thank you Amazon for having such a great selection.Rutger Hauer is a great actor and Gene Simmions, yes from the rock band Kiss, is one of the best bad guys ever. It keeps you on the edge of your seat and the ending will blow you away.Hauer plays a bounty hunter who is ex cia and he makes reference to the old tv show of the same name with Steve McQueen for those of us who remember back that far, he is supposed to be his great grandson. Like I said a Great Action Move with a blow away ending.

Rutger Hauer plays the bounty hunter grandson of Josh Randall who was played by Steve McQueen in the old Wanted Dead or Alive TV Series. I think this is Rutger Hauer best movie. He talks sofly but carries a big stick. Great Movie.

Fast paced action movie of the 70's variety. Hauer is good in his role. This must be Gene Simmons first film. The ending line is classic.

one of the really good often overlooked bounty hunter/terrorist hunt action movies. Cast was solid. Gene Simmons is a great bad guy and the ending is NOT a typical Good triumphing over Evil!

Saw this movie years ago and decided to get it on DVD. Fun movie with plenty of action. Rutger had plenty of potential when he started, but his potential never really blossomed.