Save your money for something good and enjoyable

As somebody who had not heard any of this before, it became a curious phenomenon to sit and watch a film and slowly have the realities begin to click into place.

Each character in this movie — down to the smallest one — is an individual rather than a type, prone to spontaneous changes of mood and sometimes amusing outbursts of pettiness or ill humor.

There is definitely an excellent idea hidden in the background of the film. Unfortunately, it's difficult to find it.

(57%) Hauer plays a super-cool bounty hunter taking on an international terrorist (played by real life jerk Gene Simmons) in the exact same way he'd play a super cool dentist, or a super cool zookeeper, in that he doesn't even need to really try. The plot echoes the absurd Arnie movie "Collateral damage", only here it works a little better, as a bounty hunter taking in a terrorist is more likely than a fireman. Between the action this is a little too flat and could have done with a ten minute trim here and there. Although it's worthy of a watch for 80's action fans, but it's pretty clear why this has somewhat fallen between the cracks and is now largely forgotten about.

Unassuming 80s b-grade action joint that delivers on what counts. Helping largely is the charismatic performance of Rutger Hauser as a former CIA agent turned bounty hunter on the trail of international terrorist planting bombs around L.A, which is played with menacing glee by Gene Simmons. His slimy character is one real nasty piece of work. Hauser just reeks of coolness clutching at his pump-up shotgun and harmonica. There's a great final exchange of dialogue by Hasuer to Simmons' captive character. Director / co-writer Gary Sherman (""Vice Squad", "Dead & Buried" and "Death Line") keeps it tightly engaging with well-timed, punishing action set-pieces that pack a punch and devious plotting keeps one step ahead. The laid-back script throws up some macho, but memorable dialogues. What occurs isn't anything out of the ordinary and plot progression can become contrived, but the familiar, straight-forward nature has its excitement and the performances are suitably tailored. The support has some reliable faces in the shape of Jerry Hardin, Robert Guillaume, Mel Harris and William Russ. Very 80's soundtrack too. But that's not a bad thing here. "I hate getting stabbed in the back."

Does it irk Gene Simmons that two of his first "serious" motion pictures (RUNAWAY and WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE) are names of Bon Jovi songs? Simmons has a small key role in the Gary Sherman-directed "actioner" WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE. He plays the Arab villain, Malak Al Rahim, intent on causing terrorist chaos in Los Angeles seemingly for the sake of giving hero Rutger Hauer someone to pursue. No motivation on the villain's part is the first sign that this movie smells much like working out next to a hairy-backed Middle Easterner in the gym.Blond, blue-eyed Hauer is bounty hunter Nick Randall, supposedly continuing the legacy of Steve McQueen in the TV series of the same name; he's ex-CIA, combat-rugged and as weirdly pansexual as ever. In the grand tradition of boring screen writing, he wants to give up the bounty hunting and settle down with his bland lady - until he is called upon by his ex-boss (Robert Guillaume) for One Last Job - to bring in Rahim, Dead Or Alive.So begins a series of vapid car chases, half-hearted fight scenes, annoying gun battles and furiously silly explosions, with intermittent perfunctory characterization which doesn't lend any emotion to the non-chemistry between Randall and his babe, his bro or his boss. Writers Michael Patrick Goodman, Brian Taggert and director Sherman try to inject an interesting twist by having all the cops and FBI and CIA double-cross Randall. We don't know why. And we don't care.WANTED: DEAD OR ALIVE begins that drab period in Hauer's career where we see him popping up in every piece of crap that required a blond, pansexual action hero. Strangely, the man to watch in this movie is KISS martinet Gene Simmons. He truly makes an imposing villain; he's the tallest Arab-looking guy in the room, he doesn't say much, and he puts that Bat Demon dead eye stare to great use. He doesn't do anything overtly thespian - in fact, he is underused, probably because he can't act - but since his first major outing as Tom Selleck's nemesis in 1984's RUNAWAY, he has learned to control his overacting stage persona, in the process creating a more sinister performance.During the boring climax when Randall is beating up Rahim, we see blood dripping from Rahim's mouth and are instantly reminded of who Rahim is; someone well acquainted with the practice of spitting blood - the Bat Demon himself.Thankfully, KISS went back on tour, saving Gene - and us - from too many more acting outings.

Having only a passing tie to the late '50's/ early 60's Steve McQueen helmed TV show of the same name (Nick is Josh grandson or some such nonsense), this movie is a mean and violent little number has B-movie mainstay Rutger Hauer starring as Nick Randall, a tough talking, no nonsense, 'my way or the highway' type bounty hunter who comes out of retirement at the request of Benson..sorry I mean Robert Guillaume (who always has some of the best lines in the movie as Philmore Walker) to apprehend a nefarious terrorist Arab (played ironically by Gene Simmons). He does so with tactics that would make Jack Bauer whimper in the corner, while at the same time dealing with slimy bureaucratic red-tape. This is a great mindless action flick and holds up well amongst repeat viewings. But the mere fact that the Writer/Director of this great little film went on to write and direct the utterly horrid "Poltergeist III" right afterwards boggles the mind.My Grade: B+