Blast (1997)

Touches You

the audience applauded

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Greetings from Lithuania."Blast" (1997) doesn't have anything that will want you to see it or f by any chance you will - to remember it longer then one minute after you will watch. Even Rutger Hauer, who is a very compelling screen presence in almost everything he does couldn't save this flat, predictable and very lazy flick. I don't usually watch this kinda movies now, but at the time i owned this in VHS format, and somehow stumble on it in my attic - this is the only reason i'm writing this now to inform you - don't watch it, don't waste your time on it.Overall, there isn't really anything to say about this very poor "Die Hard" rip-off. You definitely have seen this movie without seeing it many times in much, much better movies. Just a poor flick.

After using all of the 'transport' settings to rip off DIE HARD (a bus for SPEED, a plane for PASSENGER 57, a boat for UNDER SIEGE), the makers of this film were forced to resort to a generic building with lots of gloomy twisting passages and a labyrinthine basement as the setting for this lame, wannabe thriller. Not that it matters, as they obviously didn't have the budget to use any effective scenery anyway. What we're left with is a series of pale blue corridors, all exactly the same in appearance, with nothing to characterise them - no plants, no posters, nothing, just endless identical rooms.With nothing in the way of scenery, we're left to concentrate on the actors on screen. Unfortunately, there is little in the way of acting in this film, especially from leaden 'star' Linden Ashby, who hobbles around and occasionally kills people in bloodless ways. Let's face it, Ashby is no Bruce Willis and his attempts to act are frankly pathetic. He's just another guy brought up from television who can't make it in the real world of films. The only character to really emphasise with is Andrew Divoff (WISHMASTER) as the lead terrorist, who at least brings a little character to his role as the charismatic bad guy. Along with these two are Rutger Hauer (THE HITCHER) in a new career low in a wheelchair with braided hair, and dependable Tim Thomerson (DOLLMAN) as a lawman.The situations are nothing new in this film, and were done a hundred times better in the DIE HARD trilogy. The pacing is non-existent, with one action scene lasting for ten seconds, while the surrounding elements like people walking around last for at least ten minutes. The action scenes themselves are nothing to get worked up about, and are over far too quickly with not enough violence, with only a single leg breaking scene, which in itself is worthy of a Seagal movie. The only thing I liked was the way in which Ashby got gradually more and more injured as the film went on, a bit like good old Brucie.

*******SPOILERS INCLUDED*********I just saw this film on TV and was fairly impressed. The blurb in the TV guide said that the USA women's swim team is saved from terrorists by a janitor. After about 20 minutes I thought that this film was going to be a total break from convention, as a fat, black, woman janitor was sneaking around and calling for help and spying on the terrorists. Then she was shot and "Johnny Cage" jumps into action, beating up evil doers with wet towels.The budget for this film seems to have been spent entirely on the location - they hired a large swimming pool - that's it. Given that there is a back-story that this whole hostage situation is actually a cover for an assassination of 20+ world leaders there is very little evidence of them.The real highlights are at the end. Hauer is a double amputee terrorism expert, so eyebrows start to be raised when he is loaded on board the truck with the SWAT team; he then rolls into action (literally) fastening his explosive laden wheelchair to the senior terrorist (apparently the most deadly terrorist in the world!!!) before diving into the swimming pool to avoid the ensuing blast - this really has to be seen to be believed.I suppose it's all harmless fun.

Though dated, the Atlanta Olympics is the setting for this by the numbers "Die Hard" type film. Supposedly based on a scenario that "could have happened", terrorists seize the US Women's swim team and hold them hostage at the Aquatic Center. What they didn't count on is a janitor (Ashby) who also happens to be an ex-Tae Kwon Do Olympic medallist.He takes on the terrorists while being guided through it all by Mr. Leo (Hauer), a terrorist expert with Interpol who lost his legs in an explosion caused by the terrorist leader (Divoff).The action is strictly by the numbers with a mix of martial arts and gunplay. Ashby is excellent in his role and both Hauer and Divoff seem to be enjoying themselves in their roles.Not seen on cable much, but I'd rent it if you happen across it at your local video store.