Film Review: McBain

I know exactly what you're thinking as soon as you think McBain.



The Simpsons did such an effective job of lampooning Arnold Schwarzenegger and his films, that the name McBain (and his real name Rainier Wolfcastle) are as familiar to some as the 'Governator' is. Of course, the makers of McBain didn't really see the joke and became embroiled in a legal dispute over the name that lasted years, and the film itself became sadly forgotten by most people.

In fact, I hadn't even heard of it until a year or so ago, and it wasn't till recently when Arrow Video (and I'll explain why I'm name dropping them later on) re-released the film that I actually watched it for the first time! And after having seen it, I have no idea how I had been watching this kind of film all these years, and never seen it!

Christopher Walken plays Robert McBain, a Vietnam veteran who owes his life to Roberto Santos, a former lieutenant turned freedom fighter who is killed after trying to overthrow the Colombian President. McBain gets the band back together, teaming up with his former Vietnam buddies (including Michael Ironside in a rare 'good guy' role'), and Santos' sister (Maria Conchita Alonso) to get to Columbia to overthrow the government themselves.

If this sounds like a Chuck Norris film to you, then you are right on the money. It's over-the-top, violent, cheesy and as entertaining as any Norris or Sylvester Stallone film of the time. Sure, Christopher Walken isn't exactly imposing as the titular character, but he's Christopher Walken, and while he doesn't do any dancing, he does shoot the pilot of one plane from another plane! Told you it was over-the-top.

You can put that down to James Glickenhaus, maker of such guilty pleasures as Shakedown (named Blue Jean Cop in the U.K.) and The Exterminator, both films I have yet to see either! This will soon be rectified, based on my enjoyment of McBain.

Here at Thom's House Of Words, I hardly ever mention the specs, or the packaging on a Blu Ray or DVD, but have to put a quick shout out to the good people at Arrow Video. They actually included a booklet in with the DVD, which these days is rarer than rocking horse shit, companies just don't seem to bother anymore.

Prior to this, McBain was only available in this country on the bargain basement Hollywood DVD label, now it has an edition that it truly deserves.

****
A deserved cult classic. Stupid, OTT, exciting...if you like the Rambo films, anything Chuck Norris has done etc., check out McBain as soon as possible. If you don't like it, I may have to offer a full refund!