Cage (1989) Review
April 7th 2010 22:30
Martial arts and “fight” films are a dime a dozen. No self respecting
Video Store doesn't have a martial arts Rack overstuffed with a thousand and one interchangeable titles Like “Abbot White” “Blood fighter” “Shoot Fighter” or “Shaolin Drunken Monk”. Usually these films aren't bad so much as they are very formulaic, you can watch two or three of these movies in a row and they'll tend to run together. This goes for Hong Kong an American Martial arts films. Rarely do you have a film that stands apart, but buried in those endless stacks of Shaolin this and ninja that, you'll find some fairly good films. It takes a bit of work, but the search is half the fun for folks like me.
Lang Elliot's 1989 fight film, “Cage” is an example of an action/martial arms movie that makes an honest attempt at a fulfilling story to go with the macho action. Bodybuilder Lou Ferigno and ex-boxer turned b-movie superstar Reb Brown (Of Space Mutiny fame) play Vietnam veterans Billy and Scot respectively, as they try to work out a life for themselves as bartenders. Billy took a bullet to the head saving his Scot's life, and became very mentally disabled, reduced to a the intelligence of a child. Scot takes care of Billy, and the two's friendship really does pull at the heartstrings. Lou Ferigno shows surprising range playing Billy, and genuinely makes you care for the characters, but this isn't a lifetime original, so things will soon go south. When a local fight club is in need of good fighters, and they see Billy an Scot's skills in a bar brawl, the local gangs seek to coerce them into fighting. The simple-minded Billy is eventually manipulated into fighting, sadly not even understanding the nature of the underground fights. His friend Scot has to rescue him, and in true 1980's action flick style the best way to get him back is by blowing things up, setting fire to other things and beating the snot out of the bad guys.
Much of the film is schlocky 80s style shootouts and fistfights, but in an action movie reversal, the story is paramount. Because of Lou Ferigno's size he's often cast as a brainless muscle man, but this movie allows him to show off his real range.. I had the pleasure of meeting Lou Ferigno at a comic book convention a few years ago, and I can say that despite the fact I was a dwarf compared to him, I never once felt intimidated. This is because he's not one of those hulking maniacs you see at the gym who like to throw his weight around, he's a
charming, humble guy. I was amazed in this movie to see him playing a lovable, whimsical character, who could if need be, fight bravely It's an interesting, fresh take on an action film. However, his co-star Reb Brown, known for being the brainless beefcake carries his roles, but he's Lou Ferigno's polar opposite. Where Lou plays a soft-spoken and simple, Brown's character, Scot is a gun toting maniac who tears through the bad guys with reckless abandon, shooting some, setting fire to others, and snapping the neck of one of his enemies when he meets in the cage. This character is almost comical at times, especially when Reb Brown lets loose with his trademark screech as he springs into action.
A movie like “Cage” is a mixed bag. It's half great movie, one half sad blood and guts action film. On one hand you have the pleasing, heart-felt performance of Lou Ferigno, on the other you have the tragically bad over-acting and screeching Reb Brown playing his role with such aggression that I expected to start tearing phone books in half at any minute. It's part good and part bad, but such a film oddity would be a shame to miss.
Lou squares off inside the cage
Poor Billy douns't get it
A movie like “Cage” is a mixed bag. It's half great movie, one half sad blood and guts action film. On one hand you have the pleasing, heart-felt performance of Lou Ferigno, on the other you have the tragically bad over-acting and screeching Reb Brown playing his role with such aggression that I expected to start tearing phone books in half at any minute. It's part good and part bad, but such a film oddity would be a shame to miss.
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