Hero and the Terror

Hero and the Terror (1988)

Runtime: 96 minutes

Directed by: William Tannen

Starring: Chuck Norris, Brynn Thayer, Steve James, Ron O’Neal, Jack O’Halloran

From: Cannon

So, I once again had Internet issues last night! Unlike last week the cable TV also did not go down like (insert your own vulgar comment) but I’m still salty about it being down for an entire 9 hours. If not for that, this review would have been posted yesterday evening.

This movie… it’s no 10 to Midnight. Chuck Norris attempts to be a thespian. This is done by a LOT of time spent with his cop character hanging out w/ his third trimester pregnant girlfriend, including him as a caring partner helping her through the birth process. The acting job from him is not terrible and it’s interesting to see him as someone afraid and haunted by nightmares, but as others have said, it seems more like a Cannon project suited to the talents of Charles Bronson, and perhaps the movie would have worked better.

Hysterically, the film has its title as the media called Norris “Hero” for his capture of a scary-looking serial killer whom was referred to as “Terror.” I wish the movie would have had more action and/or more visceral kills from the villain, born w/ the name Simon Moon. From hearsay, the novel this was based on had Moon as a sex fiend killer; that was changed for the film… he was a real blank slate we barely got to see and the “kills” were basic neck snaps. I’m not sure how appealing this movie will be to Norris fans… or people who like some of his movies but don’t necessarily like Chuck the person or his personal beliefs.

It's a dumb film which at least has some nice attributes. There are other familiar faces: Steve James (there needed to be more of him. Then again, I can say that about practically every movie featuring Steve James), Jack O’Halloran as Moon-he was much more memorable as Non in the Superman films-Ron O’Neal, Branscome Richmond and Billy Drago… who get this, did NOT portray a bad guy! I kid you not.

Someone told me that the movie was influenced by Miami Vice—not quite. Some of the music and wardrobe had hints of that, but him driving a then-new Corvette was the closest comparison that could be made. At least James wore a SWEET WrestleMania hat in one scene and in a note that will appeal to everyone living in or around Los Angeles: a large portion of the movie is set at the Wiltern Theater. The Wiltern is a real-life joint around since the 30’s which looks lovely and like portrayed in the film, was restored and opened again in the 80’s after it was left to rot for awhile. Of course such an old place has a labyrinth full of catacombs, secret passages, boarded-up rooms, etc. It was a nice location to set a movie, in other words.

Unfortunately, though… a similar Chuck Norris movie from earlier in the 80’s (Silent Rage) was a better movie that featured an actual superhuman villain.