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Dark Angel [1990]

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ENJOYABLE
Review date: 2008-01-01 Rating: 6 out of 10

Jack Caine is a maverick cop and while on an undercover operation sting on drug dealer Victor Manning. He gets distracted by a hold-up and because of that his partner is killed. But Manning is now the least of his worries, as a new figure has entered the drug scene. A tall, blond haired man with blinding white eyes, who doesn't seem of this world. Jack gets paired up with a rule-abiding FBI agent Larry Smith, and they discover their mysterious man is an intergalactic drug dealer. He injects his victims with heroine to extract an important dose of endorphins from their brains.

What an uncanny and ultra-slick item. Lousy this is not, as there's quite a lot of fun to be had in this rapid-moving and largely witty action hybrid. I believe it to be Dolph Lundgren's best film... yes you're reading that right. It follows the pattern of the alien-on-the-rampage and buddy cop (who get paired up and don't see eye to eye in each others methods) flicks that flooded the late 80s. Although it has it's own little unique spin to the formula that makes it one of the better ones. The smooth blend works a treat here, as the snappy performances, the comic book pulp and the novelty of the alien's intentions is unpredictable and fascinating to watch. It's just hard to take your eyes off it! While it might be a no-brainer, as the quick thinking story is wishy-washy and the redundant romance sub-plot is to give the main character a little more substance, but really it doesn't give you an opportunity to cross-examine it, as it never lets up and we just go with it. We're pretty much thrown right into it. All the buttons seem to click on the action front. Explosive fireballs and a no-bull injection of violence ignite energy packed stunts. It goes out hard and works better for it. Wait to you see the intergalactic compact disc that leaves a bloody mess. Charles R. Baxley's direction is flamboyant and very well set up. Thrown in for good measure is a kicking 80s soundtrack that overpowers the stage and glaring camera-work that has some flair about it. Performances are more than decent with Lundgren's ice-cool turn with his sharp wit and Brian Benben makes good as the twitchy FBI agent. Their rapport is one of the film's strong points. Mathias Hues' towering and unusual figure, fitted perfectly as the menacing visitor from beyond the stars. Betsy Brantley does very little of interest.

Its camp, and whole lotta' hokum. Nonetheless, it's an enjoyable time-waster with some nice twists.

Reviews

HE CAME IN PEACE
Review date: 2007-10-26 Rating: 4 out of 10

Interesting idea but shame they got Dolph.

Oscar nominations weren't coming thick and fast for Dolph but he made a few films so i'm going to belt up.

In this sci-fi film, an alien is injecting victims with a chemical stimulant that makes the human brain create a priceless drug, used by aliens from the future. With me so far? The only down side for the recipient of said injection, is the three foot long tube, which our baddie stabs through the front of their heads, in order to harvest the goodies.

Dolph (he of the Oscar ceremony) is a tough cop, who foils the space age drug dealer, gets the girl and doesn't even ruffle his hair.

Well done dolph.

"I come in peace!"
Review date: 2007-10-20 Rating: 10 out of 10

An often overlooked cult classic from the 90's, Dark Angel is typical sci-fi fare from the decade but still hugely enjoyable today.
It stars Dolph Lundgren as Jack Caine, a narcotics cop whose partner is killed when a drugs bust to entrap local drug lord Victor Manning goes wrong.
Jack's maverick style clashes with an FBI investiagtion and he is saddled with an uptight by-the-book agent Larry Smith, excellently played by Brian Benben, in order to solve the case.
As their investigation proceeds Jack discovers there are two aliens, perfectly cast with Matthias Hues and Jay Bilas, that are the cause of all the trouble. One of these huge 7 feet tall humanoids is here to collect drugs. He's using heroin to inject humans with it and drain the endorphins from their brains (with a rather cool gadget to do so!) and sell it on their planet as Barsi, a highly addictive narcotic. The other is an officer of the law sent here to stop him.
The show has all the typical hallmarks of an 90's action movie; car chases, fist-fights, gun battles in the streets, slightly corny one-liners, lots of shooting and big explosions.
The aliens are excellent and they have an array of rather cool gadgets and some amazing guns that are used to good effect in many scenes. The best weapon is the disc launcher which is one of the most innovative weapons used in a sci-fi film and you can see where films from later in the decade got their ideas from.
There's some great supporting roles with Jack's wife / county pathologist Diane played by Betsy Brantley, Inspector Schwitzer - the typical shadowy FBI superior, Warren - head of Victor Manning's 'White Boys' played with relish by Sam Anderson (Angel's Holland Manners) and finally Bruce, a friend at a local university with a penchant for very strong coffee!
All this and a fantastic musical score composed by none other than Jan Hammer. It's a shame the soundtrack never got released as his work on this film rivals anything he did on Miami Vice.
The film hasn't dated that much and the acting is okay but that doesn't detract from this being a great slice of cult 90's sci-fi veiwing. It's about time it was released over here as my VHS copy has worn out from being watched so many times.
Enjoy!

Dolph Lundgren's finest hour - for what that's worth...
Review date: 2006-12-13 Rating: 4 out of 10

Dark Angel (aka I Come in Peace) is one of those films better served by the memory than by rewatching it. Seen 15 years on, Dolph Lundgren's `best film' (now there's an oxymoron) isn't half as much fun as it should be, especially given the great premise - cop vs. alien ("and I don't mean Mexico") drug runner who uses human bodies to harvest his drugs (catchphrase: "I come in peace." Inevitable riposte: "You go in pieces"). It has straight to video stamped all over it, but only really kicks into gear in the last twenty minutes. Still, the killer CD and the odd line of dialog - "Mess with me and I'll fill your lungs with water" - offer some relief. Lundgren is his usual wooden self, Brian Benben seems to be doing Dustin Hoffman doing Kevin Costner doing Elliot Ness, with only Betsy Brantley hitting the right note in the thankless role of Dolph's squeeze. Worth remaking, but not necessarily worth watching.

No extras but a decent widescreen transfer.

This film is so cool
Review date: 2005-08-16 Rating: 8 out of 10

I watched this when it first came out years ago, and all I could remember of the film was the "baddie"(Good looking dude).Then I saw it was for sale on Amazon and thought I'd like to see it again. It's a typical 80's style film (all shoulder pads and big hair), real cheesy but definitly a cult classic. If you get the chance to watch it DO, it's so cool.

Product Details/Specifications

Actor(s):
Dolph Lundgren

Director(s):

Recording label: MGM Entertainment
Manufacturer: MGM Entertainment
EAN: 5050070023060
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2005-01-17
Audience rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release date: 1990
Language: English (Original Language)

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Dark Angel [1990]

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