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Jox wrote:Scandinavian ad
it still has a fun aspect about it that fans of Lundgren will enjoy. I didn’t realize he had directed so many movies but this is actually Dolph’s 6th turn at directing and he does a good job.
When the fighting scenes are there, the blood and killing is excellent. Well done practical effects are a nice touch that elevate the movie a few notches in the total production values column. The movie never achieves that blockbuster action movie look and feel but does a good job at working within the budget without sacrificing too heavily in any area of production.
Dolph Lundgren is fine as Icarus. His thick accent along with the other Russian characters make the English subtitles a welcome inclusion but he still is an intimidating figure as an action star.
Dolph Lundgren’s The Killing Machine is the epitome of a paint by numbers straight to video action film. It succeeds as a popcorn flick to check out when you want to unplug your mind and enjoy the action for 90 minutes. The action scenes are well done and, although you won’t be surprised by the storyline’s ending there is enough to enjoy from this Expendable to recommend The Killing Machine as a rental.
Jox wrote:ICARUS will be released in Japan on February 2, 2011.
http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=ALBSD-1387
Jox wrote:DVD giveaway for Australian fans!
http://www.ebroadcast.com.au/movies/com ... chine.html
While there isn’t anything that is inherently fresh or new about The Killing Machine, much like Lundgren’s other solid directorial efforts, Command Performance and The Russian Specialist, this is a movie that works well by staying within the confines of its formula and delivering on that premise as much as it can. Like a smaller budget version of The Professional, the movie keeps up a steady stream of action while doing a good job of developing some interesting characters. While there are some bad camera and editing techniques that end up getting overused in the movie, the final product ends up a satisfying diversion due to the efforts of Mr. Lundgren and a terrific cast.
While not usually noted for his acting, Lundgren is a performer that’s well aware of how effective his screen presence is and is very capable of giving a performance that surprises you with how nuanced it is. Here, he gives us a dash of self deprecation, and manages to show just how tired Genn is of the life that has torn apart his marriage and often left him in danger. When called into action though, Lundgren shows he still has the goods with some steely heroics, and looks first-rate in the film’s hand to hand and bullet-laden combat. Lundgren the director also does his part, orchestrating the mayhem very well and managing to throw in some decent gore on occasion, giving the picture a little harder edge when needed.
if you’re looking for an old school action experience with a decent body count and a terrific lead, look no further. Since exiting the spotlight in the mid-1990s, Dolph Lundgren has kept working through the DTV market, continuing to produce entertaining action cinema. While honing both his acting and directing talents, he has steadily become one of the most consistent action stars in this field, and The Killing Machine is just another prime example of the type of solid films he continues to produce.
AUDIO & VIDEO
The movie looks pretty good, and the print is clean with nice colors and a crisp, detailed picture. The sound here is also worth mentioning, as its consistent and top notch all the way through.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Behind the Scenes of Dolph Lundgren is…The Killing Machine – Just under 30 minutes, this featurette is pretty much all the info you’d need on The Killing Machine. There’s plenty of interviews with the cast, but what’s really fun here is watching Dolph do some work behind the camera.
Trailers – You get trailers for this movie and other Anchor Bay releases.
CLOSING THOUGHTS
Not quite as good as Command Performance or The Russian Specialist, The Killing Machine is another solid example of the good work being done by Dolph Lundgren. The movie is entertaining throughout and takes itself completely seriously, making for a fun way to spend 88 minutes. The disc doesn’t have a lot of extras, but the movie looks good and for fans especially, is well worth your time.
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