Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987)

If you are looking for bad acting, bland storytelling and explosions. Look no further. You found it. Are main character (the guy from blade runner that wasn't Harrison Ford) is a bounty hunter who has a mark on his head from a terrorist played by none other then Gene Simmons (you know it is a winner if you have that weird guy from Kiss as one of the main characters). Explosions, people die, more explosions, more people die, and on and on. You never really care for any of the characters through the entire film and you do not care if they die or succeed. I like Rutger Hauer (the guy from blade runner) in other films such as LadyHawke and the Hitcher, but he is not a action star so I do not know why he tries to be. Actually I do know, its because he was trying to be the next Harrison Ford and failed miserably. The sad thing is is that Hauer is probably a better actor then Ford but once again it all comes down to connections and Ford was friends with Spielberg so instead of having a Boulder, Nazis and snakes be your enemy you have Gene Simmons with his terrible acting and trademark tongue as your arch nemesis. If you like explosions and mediocre storytelling with Gene Simmons as your bad guy then you will love Wanted: Dead or Alive. If you want more info about this film visit my Youtube Channel Logan Toxic or visit my page at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJhobZk1e9M

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."

This film to me was pretty good. It sort of is a bit like "Nighthawks" another film featuring terrorist, one of which being Hauer himself. This one though has Hauer as the good guy and Gene Simmons as the bad guy. Both are very good in their roles. Both never being or becoming super celebrities. Hauer has been in a lot more movies than Simmons and he has been in some very big movies during his days. Still, he rarely got to be the lead star in films. Simmons just played bad guys like the one here and the one in "Runaway". He was actually rather good in both films and I am surprised he never got more chances to play in movies cause I so could see him in a horror movie as the sadistic killer. This film has terrorist on the attack and a bounty hunter is going to be the one to bring them down. I loved watching Hauer as Nick Randall do his thing. He is a former CIA operative and a descendant of a legendary bounty hunter. The action is pretty good here and there, it could use a bit of work, but I still thought it played out rather well. The ending to this movie is really good, though at the same time while it is satisfying it is also a bit sad too.

This is the type of hero, we all need. Someone who can handle the situation and get the job done! And done indeed, he does as 'Nick Randall', a bounty hunter with a proved ability for survival. I hadn't followed Rutger's rolls very closely until he played a very controlling and virtually unstoppable cereal-murderer. Eric Red's story and Robert Harmon's directed film, 'The Hitcher'. A thriller that makes the hairs on your neck stand straight up, with a strange echoing eeriness. Rutger was 'mesmurizing' in the roll that he just, took over. He was aptly the killers's killer. I walked out of the theater stunned at his absolutely convincing performance. So when I went and saw, 'Wanted' with the reversal of 'rolls' for Rutger, Hell! He goes back and forth through 'Goodguy' 'Badguy' 'Protag' and 'Antag' character rolls better than Sylvester Stallone or Kevin Costner, even better than Harrison Ford for crying out loud. This man has that skilled ability, to lay it out unmistakably. The Hero that Nick Randall is in "Wanted: Dead or Alive" is a 'Snake-Eater'. First zero's in on his target and sets it up, then hit's them hard, knocking them down and then out. He is a 'Patriot', that doesn't want to be 'Snowed' by anyone. He is a strong man and yet he's a caring friend to fellow actor William Russ's character ((the L.A. officer Danny Quintz and even Agent Walker of the F.B.I. who considers him a 'Friend' for over 15 years)) the most impressive part(s) to me are when you can feel the emotionally-loaded response from Hauer's 'Randall'. You see him angry, hot, sweating feeling the strain. He is broken down emotionally with tears in his eyes at the death of his friend and his new love'Terry' whose lives have been brought to an 'abrupt end' by an anti-American group of killers. He still doesn't lose accurate focus under the pressure of his 'cover' being given away to his enemy, 'used as live bait' by those supposedly on his side of the fence (for their own strategic manoeuvrings). Even so, he forces himself not to stop or even slow down but follows his conscience through to the very ending of this Government contracted game, in which they are involved with 'holy-waring' terrorists. Rock group lead-singer Gene Simmons plays a jihad-violent terrorist that is a madman out to appease himself and his killing partners. Even with Simmons who plays well, he knows being an Israeli what it feels like to have a terrorist organization plotting to destroy your very existence.An incredible action movie that blows doors off of many others in this film 'genre'. If you haven't seen this one, but you have seen 9/11 on the television news and the papers...do yourself a favor, rent or buy this on D.V.D, watch it and feel better. This was not four-star acting. But the story can take you through if you're into it. It's like a late night made for television feature to be honest...but its fun. No fear but loss, triggering anger, causing Nick to bring about 'exacting' vengeance and then...comforting relief. (**)