Firepower (1979)

It is a whirlwind of delight --- attractive actors, stunning couture, spectacular sets and outrageous parties.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

This one has enough plot twists and action sequences for a dozen movies and although it commendably moves along at express speed, the screenplay has so many plot twists that it's difficult to keep track. Coburn has a double role, although the movie makes disappointingly little use of this device and the special effects when both characters are on the screen are rather obvious. Although attractively gowned, Miss Loren is not looking her best and with the hero, I found her changes of side somewhat bewildering. I kept waiting for Victor Mature's entrance – expecting him at every twist of the plot – but this proves a disappointment too. For those who like lots of destructive firepower with tons of elaborate explosions, stunts and action sequences, the movie is a must. And there are some great support performances among the villains too (including Franciosa). Locations were in Antigua and nearby Curacoa of all places. You'll enjoy hearing many of the players struggling to pronounce that one!

Firepower's history is more interesting than the film itself, since it was originally intended for Clint Eastwood and its production nearly junked by Sir Lew Grade. This ITC actioner began as one of numerous 'Dirty Harry' scripts rejected by Eastwood and was later adjusted to the temperament of Charles Bronson, who backed out during pre-production. Having lost a major box office draw, Grade nearly called things off before he sensed a public relations disaster in the British tabloids and insisted that his film be made. Bronson's role as a top-shelf assassin went to James Coburn, who delivers in this frenetic story co-rewritten and directed by Michael Winner. The physically imposing Coburn joins Sophia Loren, O.J. Simpson, Eli Wallach, and Anthony Franciosa in a top cast who frolic amidst death and destruction in the Caribbean.The plot of 'Firepower' is too complicated to explain here, with many twists and turns that become secondary to its large-scale action. To make a long story short, Coburn plays Jerry Fanon, a former assassin who is called out of retirement by mob boss Sal Hyman (Wallach). Hyman has worked out a deal with U.S. authorities to hire Fanon in exchange for waving his criminal charges. Fanon's job is to capture drug company magnate Karl Stegner (Franciosa), who arranged the murder of a physician after exposing his line of bad pharmaceuticals. Stegner is hiding on the small island of Antigua, living a reclusive life amidst security cameras, attack dogs, bodyguards, and informants. Behind the entire story is Adele Tasca (Loren), the doctor's widow and past lover of Fanon.'Firepower' is not a film that will change your life, but it's one of the most purely entertaining titles I've recently seen. While this film is slow to develop, it takes off after the first 20 minutes with rapidly-paced action sets. The action is chuck-full of explosions, gunfire, and hand-to-hand combat. Coburn, teaming with O.J. Simpson (as fellow hit-man Catlett), uses a level-headedness and physical stature that are ideal for his role. Simpson is also physically and dramatically satisfying in a limited part. While on 'exhibit' for much of the film, Sophia Loren looks as beautiful as ever and keeps a wry sense of humor. Other familiar names make an appearance, including Vincent Gardenia ('Death Wish'), Victor Mature, and middleweight boxing champion Jake LaMotta.This is certainly one of the best films that Michael Winner has made, yet it lacks his unique style. While his cheekiness is felt in the most violent situations, little is seen of the zooms, odd camera angles, and wobbles that are constant in his other movies. Winner is at his best in the action scenes, which are edited by the director under his pen name of Arnold Crust. The storyline eventually plays second fiddle to the action, but this film never loses its edge - like a pulp novel in overdrive.The special effects by Al Griswold ('F/X,' 'Entrapment') and Paul Stewart ('Predator') are antique by today's standards, but were top-of-the line for the late 1970s and much more engaging then the CFI we're nowadays offered. The same outdatedness is found in Gato Barbieri's saxophone-laden score, although his opening theme sets the high-crime mood nicely and is never more conspicuous than it needs to be. Robert Paynter's cinematography appears to be right for the lush scenes in Antigua and Curaçao; it would look even better if not for the most recent VHS release.For fans of James Coburn and Sophia Loren (who isn't?), 'Firepower' is a decent hour and 40 minutes of viewing time and worth a couple of dollars if VHS tapes are lying around on the Internet or at garage sales. 'Firepower' is not currently available in DVD format, which is a shame considering the excellent cast and exotic locations. CBS/FOX Video issued an American VHS release in 1983, an absolute massacre of the original studio print. Besides the usual full screen presentation, there is grain and faded colors that are usually found on cheap TV broadcasts. Daytime scenes have washed-out visuals, evening scenes are so dark that one can barely see what's going on. Much of this is owed to the videotape's age, but also the knockoff quality of reproduction by CBS/FOX. Considering that several of Michael Winner's films are now available on DVD, 'Firepower' is long overdue for an update.*** out of 4

Forgettable time-waster, without purpose or meaning. It proves that even a few wild car chases and large-scale explosions can't sustain a desperately uninteresting and uninvolving story. The large cast is largely underused. (*1/2)

Michael Winner's films aren't complete without a lot of blood, and this one has enough to fill a bucket or two.James Coburn is the retired hitman who comes back in to kidnap a certain Karl Stegner, a mysterious and very wealthy man wanted by the IRS and various other federal agencies.Coburn teams up mainly with OJ Simpson, with some dubious assistance from Sophia Loren, and we have a 70s high-tech sort of caper. Lots of gadgetry, most of it explosive, large quantities of double-crossing and shooting, plenty of pretty shots of the Caribbean from floating gin palaces, and a plot of such ludicrous over-complexity that it's silly.It was obviously immense fun to make: several very large houses get burned down, bulldozed and otherwise trashed. As do various means of transportation. With lots of explosions and shooting.It's implausible and it's almost impossible to understand why anyone would do what these people do, but apparently this is what they do. Bullets fly and things blow up.There is an awful lot of frenetic activity, constantly accompanied by the sound of gunfire with regular scenes of conflagration.Did I mention that there's a lot of shooting and explosions in this? In case I didn't, there is, as well as a very confusing plot.It's not a very good movie.