Guns

Guns (1990)

Runtime: 96 minutes

Directed by: Andy Sidaris

Starring: Dona Spier, Roberta Vasquez, Cynthia Brimhall, Erik Estrada, Danny Trejo

From: Malibu Bay Films

Boy, it’s been a LONG time since I’ve viewed any Andy Sidaris, whether it be for review or just for pleasure. I’m sure many are familiar w/ the legendary Hard Ticket to Hawaii but I’ll talk about him for a moment anyhow. He directed sporting events on television before diving into the world of fiction w/ some 70’s TV shows then entered the world of movies. Amazingly, he created his own cinematic universe starting with Malibu Express but really kicking off w/ Hard Ticket: cheesy, goofy B-movie action where Playboy Playmates and Penthouse Pets portrayed members of “The Agency” in Hawaii and did battle with various villains. The main ladies here all were in previous installments-along with some of the men.

Erik Estrada (!) and henchman Danny Trejo (!!) wish to draw The Agency away from Hawaii so that they can smuggle guns; that is as complicated as the plot gets but naturally, people don’t view Andy Sidaris pictures for the plots! It’s to view attractive women and wait to see them sans clothing, which is what inevitably happens. Those had appeal back in the day when seeing such things was MUCH more difficult. The majority of the film is actually in Arizona and Nevada but is otherwise what I expected. There were some wacky moments involving entertainer Chuck McCann as an agent/magician, including a WTF bit that’s one of the several WTF bits you should expect in any film from the director.

There are solid laughs throughout and I was glad that this was randomly discovered on a random YouTube channel which has plenty of old B-movie action. Naturally, many won’t be interested in such dated schlock and will think the women in the cast are being objectified. However, those that can laugh at what titillated people back then, or want to see the Rio Hotel right after it opened in 1990--the movie is OK entertainment although again, Hard Ticket to Hawaii is a better example of a silly action-comedy T&A spectacle. If you can chuckle at the running gag of two stooges hired by Estrada dressing like women in several scenes where they attempt to assassinate our heroes and they always look like men wearing women’s clothing…

Plus, to its credit it has a catchy song from cast member Cynthia Brimhall; the viewer gets to hear it a few times.