Release: 2003
Director: Isaac Florentine
Writer: David N. White
Cast: Scott Adkins, Marshall R. Teague, Tim Abell, Danny Lee Clark (Nitro-American Gladiators)
Ratings:
Rotten Tomatoes: 14% Audience Fresh
IMDb: 4.3/10
Netflix: 3.2 Stars
Review:
American Heroes: Special Forces or as it is more widely known as Special Forces. Is a standard military action movie. That is light on plot and heavy on cheesy action action. The movie itself is run of the mill at best with a plot teaming with cliches. From rescuing a Reporter (Daniella Deutscher) to the Major (Marshall R. Teague) of the Special Forces team conquering his nemesis (Eli Danker). Who is the only black mark on his stellar career.
Both of which have been done to death and done better as well in other movies. Now I am not saying this movie is bad by any means. I am just saying it is generic and it is best watched. While drunk, stoned, high or while making out with a special someone. Only to stop to catch the action scenes. Especially the martial arts scenes which are scripted in for Scott Adkins. Who is an amazing presence on the screen when he is fighting. Sadly we do not get enough of him and instead are insulted by a Special Forces team who reminds me of a bunch of idiotic jocks picking on freshmen.
As they tease, toy and act like fools from beginning to end of this movie. From tapping a guy on a shoulder to saying "Smoking is going to kill you!" as one of them offs a nameless soldier. It is scenes like this that will induce groans and pains to all that are in the military and those who know it. As the key motto of Special Forces is go in get the job done quickly and silently as possible. Not making a fool out of the people as you do it or making a crap ton of noise.
Which these fools do. But no one can blame the actors for this or even the director who did a wonderful job of staging, setting and cropping shots. As everything stays in focus and is mostly believable and engaging. So Kudos goes out to Isaac Florentine. The slops goes to the writer of the movie though David N. White though. Which is ironic as I have loved some of his other movies in the past. Just not this one and the key reason is this movie is out of his comfort zone.
With his others being in Martial Art tournament films. Like the Undisputed Series that stars Scott Adkins as Yuri Boyka who is quite possibly the second coming of Jean Claude Van Damme. Just better at acting and fighting on screen as he performs all his own stunts. So maybe this movie was just a blip or it was a paid job to make some money for his friend and co-partner in crime Isaac Florentine who always works with both Scott Adkins and David N. White.
Which makes this reviewer happy as each seems to try and bring out the best in each other. As the scenes written, shot and acted in by Scott Adkins are the best in the movie. Which I honestly believe should have been the star of this movie. As he is a superior character and scene stealing star through out the movie. Then again the American cast also just seems to be going through the paces never expanding or really acting. Instead seeing this as a payday instead of a way to propel their future in movies.
Which could be another reason that the scenes with Scott Adkins are so good. Either which way this movie can be viewed of fans of both Military Action and Martial Arts fans and both will walk away half happy. As each side is done well enough to please but not satisfy you as a whole. Just do not come into this movie thinking that it will be a Saving Private Ryan or a Platoon type movie. Because not only will you hate it. You will walk away and miss the best parts of it. Which is seeing Scott Adkins do some amazing action and martial arts.
My Rating 1.5 out of 5 Stars
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