Who payed the critics

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

Although it is not the first (and probably not the last) political hostage movie, it has been capably created and carried out: characters are versatile, events and motives logical, deaths not predictable etc. And unlike Norris, for example, Lundgren is eager to show himself in new (and sometimes unexpected) roles and places. As usual, an international cast is involved and activities take place outside the U.S. - this time in Moscow, Russia.Tensions are always there, but - compared to many of his earlier movies - Lundgren tries to avoid meaningless violence, he enters into fighting and killing only as a response and for the sake of saving people.Well, sometimes does aging make a martial arts expert real good, provides additional value as an actor. This film is a must for all those taking at least kindly to him, if not more :)

Dolph Lundgren is the star, writer, and director of COMMAND PERFORMANCE about the drummer of a rock band who must assist a green security agent in stopping Communist terrorists who have executed civilians attending a pop starlet's concert, as well as, kidnapping the Russian President, his two daughters, and some hostages, demanding a ransom to be made for several accounts. The leader of the terrorists is Oleg Kazov(Dave Legeno), whose father was to be arrested by President Petrov(Hristo Shopov), then a prosecutor, for his criminal coup against Gorbachev. Kazov's father killed his mother, then turned the gun on himself. Melissa Molinaro is Venus, a popular American pop starlet who is on tour in Moscow, beloved by Petrov's pre-teen daughters. Lundgren is drummer Joe, his band the opening act for Venus, their concert disrupted by Kazov and his gunmen who annihilate Petrov's many number of security personnel. Joe and Mikhail Kapista(Zahary Baharov), the lone security agent able to escape immediate death during the gun fire between parties must work their way through the building in order to rescue the surviving hostages who aren't made mincemeat by the bloodthirsty, sadistic Kazov. Meanwhile, outside the building, the Russian police and military are gathered to discuss a strategy to save their President. While there's plenty of bloody violence, Lundgren incorporates the tired jerky cam method during action scenes that has sure worn out its welcome. Also disappointing are instances when Lundgren destroys Kazov's goons in murky areas of the building where its hard to make out what's going on. Look, I want my violence visible, not out of frame or blurry, cameras or bad lighting ruining the experience. There's a lot of sound effects to inform us of how much the weapons hurt those damaged, and Lundgren doesn't go skimpy on the blood as it explodes when security guards or terrorists are hit with gunfire. I got to hand it to Lundgren, he looks good, has aged well despite being 53 years old and juicing when he was a young man pummeling Rocky Balboa. While there's lots of savagery, Lundgren does include some much needed humor, particularly nice jabs at rock-n-roll and pop, although the whole idea of teenage hottie Molinaro sexually drawn to Lundgren is a bit creepy. You know, I still believe Lundgren has the chops to remain a direct-to-DVD/cable action star.

In a new movie which is written, directed and stars Dolph Lundgren, he plays the part of 'Joe' a very loud rock drummer. The story is that of a modern Russian President and his two daughters visit a rock concert given for charity. Once the concert begins in high volume, a rouge band of revenge seeking militarists, invade the music hall and begin killing everyone and anyone trying to stop them. Taking hostages, they demand a huge ransom or they will begin killing off their prisoners. What the killers did not count on was a novice secret service presidential guard and an ex-biker, and extremely physically gifted street fighter. Together, they take on the militants and hold them till the Red Army can rescue their president. It's somewhat reminiscent of 'Die Hard' Russian style. The movie is filled with lots of dramatic action, good physical exciting scenes and lots of explosive mayhem. For Lundgren, he still packs a wallop and is good throughout the film, although one wonders if the audience can see the great man is showing his age. Still it's a good movie for his fans as they watch the real-life Drummer take on the bad guys. ****

I know you are probably thinking; what in the hell is this guy doing giving a Dolph Lundgren movie a "10" well simple really. Number one I was thinking this movie would be a 5 or 6 simply because "Drago" is showing up, but to my major surprise. I got a big-budget thriller; ala Die Hard flick. Dolph didn't have as many one liners as Bruce Willis had in his films, but Dolph had his own kind of nonchalant coolness at his delivery of lines. I was surprised he was a rock star to be in the movie. Dude must be a musician as a hobby, because he was awesome. Even my girlfriend who watched it with me was blown away at this story, acting and thrill-rid. What a pleasant surprise and Dolph my hats off to you; you acted your ass off a came up with a masterpiece of a movie!