Ok, I admit that I started watching this movie ironically. I thought it was going to be one of those "so bad it's good" low budget action movie rip-offs from the 70s/80s/90s. The box art certainly makes it seem like that's what's in store. Plus the name "Remo Williams" sounds like one of those wannabe Jean-Claude Van Dammes that every B-movie studio seemingly had back then.
But although Remo Williams does have some silly 80s action movie moments, it's actually a pretty solid film! The stunts are impressively physical. The writing and characters are fun. And the editing and filming are well done. It's an all around fun summer movie. The only big negative is that the entire movie feels like the first act of a larger saga that unfortunately was never made. That's a shame.
The stunts are probably the highlight. They are impressive! Compared to the high-octane, cities exploding CG BS of your modern action movie, Remo Williams practically seems understated. That may be why its stunts feel so impressive. The combination of good old fashioned physical stunts and clever editing is genuinely thrilling. The Statue of Liberty sequence is the most memorable part of the film, in part because it really feels like they filmed it all on the real statue. However my favorite sequence is when Remo is trying to run away from a pack of guard dogs. That scene mixes humor and solid yet non-flashy stunts to tell a little story within the film. It reminds me something you'd see in a Buster Keaton film.
The first half of the film focuses on Remo's training. Most films would have reduced this to a few minutes and a montage or two. This part of the film really should be boring but it somehow isn't. There's some good humor and fun character interactions. And while certainly not Oscar worthy stuff, it's close in spirit to some of Arnold's 90s work. Now it must be said that his trainer, Chiun, is written as a stereotype and the fact he was played by a white actor in yellow face is not great. Still, Chiun doesn't exist solely for laughs and the character isn't completely one-dimensional. Chiun's relationship with Remo is a solid take on the Mr. Miyagi style mentor trope.
As I said, the biggest downside to the Remo Williams is that it really feels like a first act. Remo's mission is important but not James-Bond-space-laser important. The budding romance with Captain Janeway never progresses beyond a few longing glances. It leaves you wanting to spent more time with the characters, either in a proper sequel or in an A-Team style TV show.
Still if you're looking for a fun popcorn film, you can go far, far worse than Remo Williams. I went into with zero exceptions and was very pleasantly surprised by it.
But although Remo Williams does have some silly 80s action movie moments, it's actually a pretty solid film! The stunts are impressively physical. The writing and characters are fun. And the editing and filming are well done. It's an all around fun summer movie. The only big negative is that the entire movie feels like the first act of a larger saga that unfortunately was never made. That's a shame.
The stunts are probably the highlight. They are impressive! Compared to the high-octane, cities exploding CG BS of your modern action movie, Remo Williams practically seems understated. That may be why its stunts feel so impressive. The combination of good old fashioned physical stunts and clever editing is genuinely thrilling. The Statue of Liberty sequence is the most memorable part of the film, in part because it really feels like they filmed it all on the real statue. However my favorite sequence is when Remo is trying to run away from a pack of guard dogs. That scene mixes humor and solid yet non-flashy stunts to tell a little story within the film. It reminds me something you'd see in a Buster Keaton film.
The first half of the film focuses on Remo's training. Most films would have reduced this to a few minutes and a montage or two. This part of the film really should be boring but it somehow isn't. There's some good humor and fun character interactions. And while certainly not Oscar worthy stuff, it's close in spirit to some of Arnold's 90s work. Now it must be said that his trainer, Chiun, is written as a stereotype and the fact he was played by a white actor in yellow face is not great. Still, Chiun doesn't exist solely for laughs and the character isn't completely one-dimensional. Chiun's relationship with Remo is a solid take on the Mr. Miyagi style mentor trope.
As I said, the biggest downside to the Remo Williams is that it really feels like a first act. Remo's mission is important but not James-Bond-space-laser important. The budding romance with Captain Janeway never progresses beyond a few longing glances. It leaves you wanting to spent more time with the characters, either in a proper sequel or in an A-Team style TV show.
Still if you're looking for a fun popcorn film, you can go far, far worse than Remo Williams. I went into with zero exceptions and was very pleasantly surprised by it.