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Date: 8/10/2021
On Netflix: The Last Mercenary
I can’t recall who said, “Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be,” and I’m sure when people weaned on the action films of the last 1980s and ‘90s see “The Last Mercenary” they may have a little tweak of disappointment.
Back in the era before streaming, the martial arts films starring Jean Claude Van Damme were big business for movie rental shops. Van Damme was one of a host of actions heroes, which at the time included Arnold Schwzanegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Chuck Norris and Stephen Seagal. In the Hollywood pecking order, Van Damme was definitely second tier along with Norris, but his films were very popular.
A legitimate karate expert, Van Damme came to prominence with his film “Bloodsport” in 1988, which was a theatrical hit. Perhaps his biggest theatrical hits were “Universal Soldier” and “Time Cop.”
Like many other performers of that era, Van Damme has been less visible but still active. His 2008 “JCVD” was partly memoir, part crime drama and was very original. It was a bit of a revelation.
Now Van Damme is back with this sort of tongue in cheek spy drama about a mythic secret agent known as “The Mist” who has re-emerged from the shadows to protect his son, a son who has never met him and who hates him.
A middle level bumbling French intelligence official has accidentally canceled the immunity agreement that protects the Mist’s son. An agent of a Middle Eastern country wising to get his hands on a devastating weapon was using that same immunity through fake documents.
The Mist must win his son back, stop the transaction for the weapon and earn back his good reputation.
The tone of the film at many times is like a latter Jackie Chan film. There is a greater emphasis on plot, comedy and character interaction than on action. That’s not necessarily a criticism as Van Damme is 60. One wouldn’t expect Van Damme to do what he did in his earlier films. By the way, Chan is also still making movies – slower ones – as he is 67.
Van Damme does his best with both the weak tea comedy of the film and the action scenes. There are several moments that it is clear he is being doubled.
I think it’s fair to say this vehicle doesn’t quite match his skill set. Something that is alarming is his appearance. He looks haggard to say the least.
If you in the mood for some ‘90s style action, don’t think you’re going to get it here. You’d be better off to research where you could stream “Universal Soldier.”
On Netflix: Myth & Mogul: John Delorean
Speaking of the 1980s and ‘90s, director Mike Connolly explores both the life and legacy of the automobile executive whose effort to create a new sports car led to his personal downfall, as well as a very big impact on the people of Northern Ireland.
This new three-agent documentary series paints a fascinating picture of a man who was determined to succeed no matter what the cost. In his case, succeeding meant convincing the British government to give him more than $100 mullion dollars to build his auto plant in Northern Ireland. More money was raised in this country through auto dealers desperate to add Delorean’s car to their inventory.
Delorean’s rise and fall is detailed through contemporary news footage, documentary footage from 1981 and new interviews that include his employees, business associates, son and his former wife.
Delorean was the subject of an FBI cocaine sting operation, but he as acquitted. That did not save him or his car company.
Director Mike Connolly may go into the weeds a bit with detail but I found it essential to trying to understand a man who rose through the ranks to the pinnacle of the automotive industry only to have his ego and greed bring him back to ground level.
It’s a compelling story and well worth watching.