DVD Review | Direct Action
Written by: Kage Alan

Film Rating: B
DVD Special Features: TBD

Dolph Lundgren is one huge guy!  I mean, I keep forgetting just how tall and built he really is.  Though one might not know it based on some of the “B” films he’s done over the last decade, he’s also one incredibly intelligent guy.  We’re talking Masters Degree smart.  That’s some combination, isn’t it?  Fortunately, when the combination works, it can add some much needed dimension to the kinds of characters Dolph tends to play.  In this case, while we’ve seen the plot before in several incarnations, sometimes the final product is a cut above the rest.  It kind of reminds me of Steven Seagal’s kind of luck lately, minus the real life extortion mind you.

Sgt. Frank Gannon (Lundgren) is part of a special unit tasked with bringing down the crime rate any way they can.  These guys get to operate a bit outside the law, but all with the best of intentions.  They get their hands dirty and it’s all because the ends justify the means.  Unfortunately, that kind of power can also breed corruption and greed, which is apparently exactly what’s happened.  Gannon has agreed to go before a Grand Jury to give testimony that will hopefully result in bringing several men on his team to justice.  The bad guys aren’t thrilled about it, only they’ve kept things to conversation level so far in hopes of changing Frank’s mind.

Complicating matters is the arrival of Billie Ross (Polly Shannon).  She’s paired up with Gannon for three weeks so that he can determine if she’s cut out for that line of work.  It’s too bad that her first day coincides with the 5 p.m. deadline that Frank has for needing to be at the courthouse to testify.  The stakes are raised and several dirty officers aren’t about to go down without a fight.  That means trouble for our hero and it also means that there’s going to be some serious gunplay and asskickings.  Hey, it may not be “Beaches,” but it’s everything that a guy could ask for in entertainment on a Friday or Saturday night.

Yes, we’ve seen this sort of plot played out before.  Come to think of it, “Extreme Justice” comes easily to mind, only this is tons better than that film ever could hope to be.  Dolph manages to combine some martial arts moves along with the gunfire, but it’s his portrayal of Frank Gannon that helps make it work.  There’s just enough quirkiness and seriousness in his performance to keep viewers interested in what’s going to happen next.  Polly Shannon adds a bit of fun to the mix and luckily overcomes the simplistic “rookie” mentality quicker than we’re used to.  She’s a nice foil for Dolph and while the end continues on a bit longer than it should, “Direct Action” manages to deliver more of a punch than one might expect.

First Look Entertainment has released “Direct Action” in its original Widescreen ratio.  Video quality is fairly good, but there is a bit of grain present in a few scenes.  Then too, I was viewing a screener and the final product will have some differences.  Audio quality is fine, so no complaints there.  As for extras, the final disc is currently slated to include some interview footage with Dolph and also some Behind-the-Scenes Fight Footage.  Unfortunately, none of this is included on the screener, so I can’t properly rate it.  After having seen the film, though, I definitely would have watched it all.

It’s hard to believe that Dolph is getting close to 50 years old.  Heck, I remember him way back in “Rocky IV” and thinking how absolutely intimidating he could be.  Guys like this go on to do all sorts of revenge films, yet it’s those roles when they’re allowed to be a bit more tender, yet still stern, that allow the actor to strut more of his stuff than usual.  “Direct Action” shows an upswing for the actor and it’s a great little film to reacquaint oneself with what he has to offer.