Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

A Brilliant Conflict

While it doesn't offer any answers, it both thrills and makes you think.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Back when stars like Sylvester Stallone or Arnold Schwarzenegger were blowing the entire world to smithereens in big-budget productions, Richard Harrison was trying to find his place on the other end of the spectrum. I mean, just compare the names. Schwarzenegger versus Richard Harrison, that's an uneven battle even if you've never heard of either actor. Harrison was actually quite a respected character actor back in the 60s and appeared in various prestigious Italian productions, he was even briefly considered for the lead in Sergio Leone's "A Fistful Of Dollars" (the breakthrough role for Clint Eastwood). Sadly the 80s were harsh on him and he got stuck doing Z-grade action flicks shot in the director's back yard. He was particularly popular in The Philippines, where production companies liked to use him as an off-brand Charles Bronson.Unsurprisingly, the movie looks a lot like something Bronson could have made if he lowered his (financial) standards. Harrison is clearly a master in the ancient martial art of punching guys in the face and falling on conveniently placed beds, but the plot is so repetitive that it's hard to keep your attention. The bad guy keeps sending guys to kill him, one by one, and they all die in some location that's cheap and easy to shoot (a motel room, for example). Thankfully they get sick of that before the final act so in the end you at least get a pretty entertaining "Rambo" knock-off. The hilariously bad dubbing, awkward action scenes and desperate attempts to be typically American also certainly work in the favor of "Fireback", but I'd say 1985's "Blood Debts" is actually a better pick. It has the exact same cast, crew and plot, but has a bit more "so bad it's good"-moments. "Fireback" is a fun blast from the past though, somehow I'm glad movies like these are still around.

Jack Kaplan (Harrison) was a weapons specialist in Vietnam who invented the most awesome gun ever - a gigantic combination grenade launcher/bazooka/missile launcher that's loaded with other surprises and goodies. One day he's showing off his prize possession, and the next he is imprisoned in a P.O.W. camp. When he is released, he finds his beloved wife Diane (Milhench) has been kidnapped. For the remainder of the film's running time, Jack runs around from place to place beating people up, and avoiding grievous bodily harm by many baddies, while trying to find the whereabouts of his wife. Additionally, the police are after him, and Jack must avoid them as well. The Police Chief (Monty) - (that's his credited name in the film) is spearheading that operation. Will Jack find his wife, and while being shot at every day, will he...FIRE BACK? A Teddy Page movie shot in the Philippines, starring Richard Harrison and Mike Monty...if you rent or buy FIREBACK, you know what you're in for: exploding huts and guard towers, oceans of mindless shooting, hilariously hilarious dubbing, and a ton of absurdity. This time around, the exploding hut scenario is married to a revenge plot, so that was a cool twist. Ann Milhench, who plays Jack's wife, was in the horrendous Sloane, as well as Nine Deaths of the Ninja (1985). Who knew? As far as Jack's super-gun, displayed prominently on the box art, it's like one of those toys you might have had as a kid - that combination of guns that they would never make today. But at least it's actually in the movie, however brief. Also as part of Jack's revenge, he makes a souped-up car version of his old weapon (if that makes any sense). And watch out for the bad guy with the golden claw, as well as Harrison dressing up as a ninja for no explainable reason. I guess he can't get enough of doing that. But the relative immaturity of Fireback is one of its more endearing qualities.The many flashbacks and the "lost love" scenario, among other off-kilter elements, give Fireback a somewhat Italian feel, although no Italians were involved. The score is so booming and loud, it gets grating at times, and the dubbing, while entertaining in its own right, contains those voices you've heard many times before. Also, after the climax, there is a very stupid and unnecessary on-screen addendum telling us what happened to Jack Kaplan. Why they thought to add this, no one can say. Although Jack's post-Fireback adventures are still a mystery to us all, so it didn't even really help.If you can't get enough Philippino insanity, Fireback will fit the bill.For more action insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

There's not a great deal I can add to previous comments about this unintentionally hilarious Philippines made atrocity, but I'll try. Fireback is hopelessly padded with interminable slow motion scenes, rendering poorly staged action sequences even worse by revealing additional flaws that might have gone unnoticed at regular speed (check out the 'Viet Cong's' fancy footwear). Star Richard Harrison sports a hideous caterpillar moustache, there's a jive talking black dude who spouts crypto-beatnik nonsense about 'Angelsville' (heaven), and (if you get a copy of the old USA Home Video VHS) spectacular bumpers featuring Sybil Danning's er, bumpers. The over-oiled Sybil cradles a massive gun in her arms whilst giving away all the highlights of the movie, but as there really aren't any highlights to give away, the spoilers won't really spoil anything for you. The Man With the Golden Hand is pretty cool, though.

Pure cheese in a big chunky video box. MacGyver meets Rambo, badly dubbed and shot on a video camera. The dialogue is awful, the effects are rubbish, the camera work is brutal and the music makes you feel slightly ill. The storyline seems to be written by a couple of 10 year olds with a thirst for cheap dynamite and camouflage. I love it, and I actually have it on video. Possibly the funniest film I have ever seen, just because it takes itself so seriously. It's actually impossible to know where exactly the film is set. We know its not Vietnam, we think it's America, but it looks like Ecuador. And just wait until you see the US Presidents office. The words "Garden Shed" spring immediately to mind. Spark one up and watch it. You'll never laugh so hard..