"Destroyer" is a mildly entertaining, routinely written B horror picture that's not without its pleasures. As it opens, a serial murderer named Ivan Moser (football great Lyle Alzado) is about to be executed for his crimes. However, just as he's being electrocuted, a prison riot erupts, resulting in the deaths of several guards and many inmates (not that we ever get to see this). Since Mosers' body is never found, he becomes a legend, and 18 months later the filmmakers behind an exploitation picture are using his old prison as a shooting location. Malone (the always lovely and always adorable Deborah Foreman) is a stuntwoman on the show, who's involved with screenwriter Harris (Clayton Rohner), and Robert Edwards (Anthony Perkins) is the sarcastic director of this movie-within-the-movie. Wouldn't you know it: people start getting killed in brutal ways.
The only real inspired touch lies in the casting of massive NFL lineman Alzado, and it does look like he's having a good time playing a psycho. "Destroyer" only really comes to life when he's on screen, and some viewers may feel that he isn't on screen enough. Of course, Foreman (re-united with Rohner after 1986s' "April Fools' Day") is always great value, as is Perkins, who is able to play his part with a decent amount of wit. Other than our four principals, the supporting cast is comprised of mostly nondescript no-names. Some of you out there might be amused by comedy relief character "Rewire" (actor / writer Jim Turner, 'Arli$$'), but this viewer simply found him annoying. At the very least, this movie has just enough action, just enough gore, and just enough atmosphere to make it reasonable but forgettable entertainment. Alzado, Foreman, and Perkins boost the rating by a point.
Six out of 10.
The only real inspired touch lies in the casting of massive NFL lineman Alzado, and it does look like he's having a good time playing a psycho. "Destroyer" only really comes to life when he's on screen, and some viewers may feel that he isn't on screen enough. Of course, Foreman (re-united with Rohner after 1986s' "April Fools' Day") is always great value, as is Perkins, who is able to play his part with a decent amount of wit. Other than our four principals, the supporting cast is comprised of mostly nondescript no-names. Some of you out there might be amused by comedy relief character "Rewire" (actor / writer Jim Turner, 'Arli$$'), but this viewer simply found him annoying. At the very least, this movie has just enough action, just enough gore, and just enough atmosphere to make it reasonable but forgettable entertainment. Alzado, Foreman, and Perkins boost the rating by a point.
Six out of 10.