Director Phil Karlson returns to direct Dean Martin in the final theatrical Matt Helm film: The Wrecking Crew. Karlson directed the first film in the series: The Silencers. This film has the curvy, very sexy Sharon Tate as Dino's sidekick. Along the way, Dino has to locate a billion dollars in gold bullion stolen by mastermind Nigel Green. However, he must contend with a bevy of 60's beauties and several henchmen whose fighting is more inept than his. Elke Sommer is Hench-woman elegance, Nancy Kwan is exotic beauty, and Tina Louise is sultry seductiveness, as each takes turns getting in his way. The opening sequence, with Martin dozing amongst his young protégés, and his penchant for adding new words while singing old songs in order to explain plot points are both funny. Late 60's flavor permeates throughout the film, especially in the infectious soundtrack, and in the female outfits.
However, Martin was a bit long in the tooth for this role, and he mostly sleepwalks through the film. As a result, the film is tedious at times, and some of the action scenes seem like repeats of previous scenes. The sound effects for the handkerchief grenades seem out of sync with the footage. The fight scenes are laughable and hopelessly phony at times, despite being choreographed by Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris makes his film debut in a bit part as a waiter in a night club. However, he is wasted. You won't see him, but his voice is unmistakable. Sharon Tate, in her second to last film role, steals this film, and she displays her comedic skills delightfully. She is the best reason to see this film, and was the inspiration for Heather Graham's character in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. At the time, Tate was considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, and guys watching this will not disagree. ** of 4 stars.
However, Martin was a bit long in the tooth for this role, and he mostly sleepwalks through the film. As a result, the film is tedious at times, and some of the action scenes seem like repeats of previous scenes. The sound effects for the handkerchief grenades seem out of sync with the footage. The fight scenes are laughable and hopelessly phony at times, despite being choreographed by Bruce Lee. Chuck Norris makes his film debut in a bit part as a waiter in a night club. However, he is wasted. You won't see him, but his voice is unmistakable. Sharon Tate, in her second to last film role, steals this film, and she displays her comedic skills delightfully. She is the best reason to see this film, and was the inspiration for Heather Graham's character in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me. At the time, Tate was considered one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood, and guys watching this will not disagree. ** of 4 stars.