Burt Reynolds goes slumming in this mediocre straight-to-video espionage thriller with Matt Battaglia as CIA mercenaries who are sent into Bosnia to steal a decoding machine. Everything about this potboiler is forgettable except for Burt—hamming it up and having fun the whole time—and the various soft-core sex scenes between "Emmanuelle" actress Krista Allen and Battaglia and a steamy scene in the back of a limo between a horny senator and a call girl. Veteran stunt coordinator Russell Solberg keeps it trim and slim at 93 merciful minutes with Reynolds playing a quasi-villain and Battaglia as a straight-up hero. The big Bosnia battle scene is as good as this minor action thriller gets and then everybody circles everybody else and blurt dialogue that drives the narrative rather than develop the characters. Nobody but Burt displays an ounce of charisma. Don't worry about Burt; he survives this stinker, but you may not like the time squandered on something as generic and predictable. Nothing but Burt stands out.
16 Reviews
Watchable for what it was...
paul_haakonsen17 March 2023
I had actually never heard about this 1996 action movie titled "Raven" before now in 2023 as I had the opportunity to sit down and watch it. Initially I picked up the movie because I saw Burt Reynolds on the movie's cover. And since I had never seen it, of course I opted to watch what director Russell Solberg had to offer.
Writer Joe Hart actually put together a fair enough script and storyline for "Raven". Sure, it wasn't the most of innovative storylines, and it was a somewhat generic mid-1990s action movie for sure, but it was still watchable and enjoyable enough for what it turned out to be.
While "Raven" isn't Burt Reynolds best movie, it was actually a fair enough movie to his name. He carried himself and the movie well enough, taking into consideration the type of movie that this was.
There were a couple of familiar faces on the cast list, aside from Burt Reynolds. And the acting performances in the movie were actually fair enough.
"Raven" is, however, hardly a movie that warrants more than a single viewing, unless you are a diehard fan of Burt Reynolds, I guess.
My rating of "Raven" lands on a five out of ten stars.
Writer Joe Hart actually put together a fair enough script and storyline for "Raven". Sure, it wasn't the most of innovative storylines, and it was a somewhat generic mid-1990s action movie for sure, but it was still watchable and enjoyable enough for what it turned out to be.
While "Raven" isn't Burt Reynolds best movie, it was actually a fair enough movie to his name. He carried himself and the movie well enough, taking into consideration the type of movie that this was.
There were a couple of familiar faces on the cast list, aside from Burt Reynolds. And the acting performances in the movie were actually fair enough.
"Raven" is, however, hardly a movie that warrants more than a single viewing, unless you are a diehard fan of Burt Reynolds, I guess.
My rating of "Raven" lands on a five out of ten stars.
Watch it for the opening scene, if you must
Leofwine_draca13 December 2018
Warning: Spoilers
RAVEN is a laughable straight-to-video action thriller starring the one and only Burt Reynolds, here on the cusp of renewed stardom with his acclaimed role in the following year's BOOGIE NIGHTS. Before that, it appears he was reduced to making any old tat, and RAVEN is a good example of that. Reynolds plays the leader of a team of mercenaries engaged in a hilarious, ten-minute over-the-top action sequence at the film's outset, indebted to COMMANDO with endless scenes of bad guys being blown into the air by explosions right behind them and slow-mo gunfire. Sadly things quickly become boring after this point. Reynolds goes from hero to villain to hero again but there's no real interest in his underutilised character and the wooden Matt Battaglia has way too much screen time. A few beautiful women are all you get here. Things pick up again in the last ten minutes but it's far too late by that point.
A shameless misfire...
ChoiBaby29 March 1999
Disjointed action film features an unfunny Burt Reynolds as Raven (hence, the title character), the leader of a team of hotshot mercenaries. This specialized team of hardcore mercenaries serve as government operatives to the United States. On a routine mission in Bosnia, the mercenary fighters must retrieve a "decoder" device which will render the U.S. the most powerful nation in the world. However, when the going gets the tough, the tough turn into a state of foolishness. Each squad member becomes systematically eliminated...and the mission was deemed...a fiasco...
Raven, left for dead due to a helicopter crash...has turned out to be very much alive...and boy...is he having fun eliminating the competition... Raven, after taking a one year hiatus from his enjoyable job as a professional killer, is now self-employed. He feels a necessity to eradicate the "Four Stars," a group comprising of corrupt U.S. Senators who were responsible for selling Raven out during the disastrous mission at Bosnia. One by one, the members of the Four Stars succumb to Raven's various booby traps, and the remaining few must join forces with several ex-mercenaries for Raven is capable of undermining an esoteric government conspiracy. When the odds turn substantially difficult, the hardened feel compelled...to spout out stupid wisecracks!
RAVEN was a bomb of titanic proportions. The film's premise was one extended cliché with every stereotypical characters (i.e. Corrupt government officials, lonesome mercenary, damsel-in-distress, etc.) imaginable. The pyrotechnics were plentiful, and the body count was surprising high, but RAVEN lacked pizzazz and both a credible cast and plot. The humor in RAVEN, granted, was hysterical at times. Still, the humor in RAVEN was undeniably sophomoric...
RAVEN was a numbing experience. The film tried to be a mixture of both a comedy and an action/adventure film. However, this film manages to FAIL on both accounts. The motion picture, RAVEN, like a nomad, wanders around aimlessly with nowhere to go and no direction to seek. This movie had absolutely no ambitions and the ineptitude cages the entire film in, being viewed as no more than a low-rent actioner. Burt Reynolds certainly has done better films in his life...and he definitely has had better experiences.
RAVEN is simply a pitiful, trite, as low as they can get thriller with no suspense that can't be predicted a million miles away. SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT this is not! The only justifiable reason to watch this movie is to check out the fine actress, Krista Allen, who shows plenty of promise. Her dynamic appeal and wonderful personality make this film barely palatable.
RATING: *1/2 out of ****.
Raven, left for dead due to a helicopter crash...has turned out to be very much alive...and boy...is he having fun eliminating the competition... Raven, after taking a one year hiatus from his enjoyable job as a professional killer, is now self-employed. He feels a necessity to eradicate the "Four Stars," a group comprising of corrupt U.S. Senators who were responsible for selling Raven out during the disastrous mission at Bosnia. One by one, the members of the Four Stars succumb to Raven's various booby traps, and the remaining few must join forces with several ex-mercenaries for Raven is capable of undermining an esoteric government conspiracy. When the odds turn substantially difficult, the hardened feel compelled...to spout out stupid wisecracks!
RAVEN was a bomb of titanic proportions. The film's premise was one extended cliché with every stereotypical characters (i.e. Corrupt government officials, lonesome mercenary, damsel-in-distress, etc.) imaginable. The pyrotechnics were plentiful, and the body count was surprising high, but RAVEN lacked pizzazz and both a credible cast and plot. The humor in RAVEN, granted, was hysterical at times. Still, the humor in RAVEN was undeniably sophomoric...
RAVEN was a numbing experience. The film tried to be a mixture of both a comedy and an action/adventure film. However, this film manages to FAIL on both accounts. The motion picture, RAVEN, like a nomad, wanders around aimlessly with nowhere to go and no direction to seek. This movie had absolutely no ambitions and the ineptitude cages the entire film in, being viewed as no more than a low-rent actioner. Burt Reynolds certainly has done better films in his life...and he definitely has had better experiences.
RAVEN is simply a pitiful, trite, as low as they can get thriller with no suspense that can't be predicted a million miles away. SMOKEY AND THE BANDIT this is not! The only justifiable reason to watch this movie is to check out the fine actress, Krista Allen, who shows plenty of promise. Her dynamic appeal and wonderful personality make this film barely palatable.
RATING: *1/2 out of ****.
The Burtster Returns
tarbosh2200012 May 2010
If you loved other Burt Reynolds action flicks like "Malone" or "Stick", which of course you did or you wouldn't be reading this, you'll like this one. Burt plays Jerome Katz, AKA "The Raven", an assassin for the government. When his latest mission busts, he goes underground. He turns up a few years later as a mercenary who plays by his own rules. His newest job is kill Martin Grant (Matt Battaglia) who is a fugitive. As usual, it doesn't go as planned. The best action sequence was in the beginning, so watch out for that. "Boogie Nights" was only a few years away at this point.
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
Burt deserves better, or maybe he doesn't...
JimFK9 September 1998
A very tired looking Burt Reynolds plays a mercenary battling his former employers for some gizmo these non-heroes plan to sell to "the Iranians." Low-rent video nonsense by the producers of "Silk Stalkings" offers some decent action footage and a lot of ineptly staged "drama"...a lack of logic and truly dreadful dialogue are the defining aspects, although the final twists and allegiance shifts could've been a nifty end to a better movie. Burt still has presence, although it also means you notice more when he mouths insultingly half-baked "one-liners".
Krista Allen rocks better !!!!
vish_goodlooking18 May 2005
Warning: Spoilers
The movie was not a waste except for some boring scenes in between.But the women cast gave a pretty good show than the males who were laughable.
But Krista Allen really rocked in the movie .Her voice was so seducing and sexy.The scenes in the bed involving Krista should have shortened but she made it so watchable and sexier than any one could do.Krista really is one of the best in such roles.She also enacted quiet well as the baddie in the last 5 minutes,which is the interesting part of the movie.
Burt Reynolds was not that good and this was not his best as an action star.He could have chosen a better script than this.Ireally think he did for money.
But Krista Allen really rocked in the movie .Her voice was so seducing and sexy.The scenes in the bed involving Krista should have shortened but she made it so watchable and sexier than any one could do.Krista really is one of the best in such roles.She also enacted quiet well as the baddie in the last 5 minutes,which is the interesting part of the movie.
Burt Reynolds was not that good and this was not his best as an action star.He could have chosen a better script than this.Ireally think he did for money.
"I'm indestructible. Sorry you're not"
hwg1957-102-26570418 June 2021
Warning: Spoilers
I liked Burt Reynolds as the devious Raven and Walter Olkewicz as the seedy spy DeFrewd, some of the action scenes and the music score by Harry Manfredini and.... that's it really. The story has no originality and proceeds along in an obvious way, except the final twist which is just unbelievable. Closer study will reveal inconsistencies, plot holes and silliness but one will leave that for other reviewers. A forgettable film.
Who writes this stuff??
Reynard-29 April 1999
About three minutes into this thing I started fast-forwarding, pausing only during the nudity (why is it that bad movies always include such good looking women?). In ten minutes I was done, and wishing I could get my money back from the rental store. The people who write these movies should be sanctioned by the MPAA. Come on writers - the bad guys ALWAYS get into the car with the bomb activated by the good guy's remote control! That's the way its been done since the days of the Ottoman Empire! Also, to add insult to injury, the "twist" at the end was so formulaic, that it could have come from any action movie written in the past 25 years. Burt Reynolds was fine, but he should concentrate on real movies.
This movie is just a waste of time - Run away! Run away!
This movie is just a waste of time - Run away! Run away!
Really bad!!!
Ernst-21 January 1999
I am definitely a Burt Reynolds fan, but sorry, this one really stinks. Most of the dialogue is laughable and the only interesting plot twist is in the last five minutes of the movie. I can't believe he even made this one. Is he actually that hard up for money?
Raven and The Four Stars
chakotay-7077011 April 2020
Who is Raven?
The film poster reveals it's Burt Reynolds.
When you think you've seen ALL of Burt Reynolds's movies, a rare film surfaces and springs an entertaining surprise on you.
A true gem that is under-rated and relatively unappreciated by most reviewers, alas!
But who or what are the Four Stars? Well, if you do watch this action-packed movie, you can find that out yourself!! Additional flavoring comes in the form of a foxy Krista Allen. Top this up with some dry humor and clever twists that will keep you hooked right up to the brilliant finale....
But who or what are the Four Stars? Well, if you do watch this action-packed movie, you can find that out yourself!! Additional flavoring comes in the form of a foxy Krista Allen. Top this up with some dry humor and clever twists that will keep you hooked right up to the brilliant finale....
Pretty low quality direct to video action starring Burt Reynolds
dworldeater6 September 2021
I'm a big fan of Burt Reynolds and his performance and presence is the best thing about this otherwise run of the mill cheap action flick. For action fans there is quite a bit of gunplay, explosions and hand to hand fighting. It wasn't done well enough to make up for the film's other shortcomings. This was pretty poorly written and with the exception of Burt, really poorly acted. Raven is nothing special, but actors need to work and I'm sure it got Burt a paycheck.
what is it all about?
oddinary3 March 2002
what should we do with a movie like this? suspense? no. good acting? no. funny? no. a beautiful supporting actress? ahhh. there we are. krista allen is definitely an eye candy. but if you really wanna see her nude, then check out the "emmanuelle in space"-series. if you don´t care about her at all, then there´s no real reason to watch this. I mean, it´s not that bad. pyrotechnics, guns, muscles, sweat and a twist at the end - but everything´s quite ordinary. "raven team" (german TV title) is entertaining - nothing more, nothing less. you won´t remember that much after you watched it.
A crudely crafted, manifestly entertaining, Burt Reynolds time killer!
Weirdling_Wolf9 January 2024
This spectacularly squib-slathered, persistently pyrotechnic 90s actioner happily finds fading 70s icon, Burt Reynolds, in remarkably robust fettle! Raven Team's ill-fated Black Ops mission to retrieve code-breaking hardware proves disastrous, as the corrupt cabal of high-level politicians have their own wholly treacherous agenda. While the guilelessly purloined plot is unleavened DTV dross, watching Teflon-haired maverick,Jerome 'Raven' Katz (Burt Reynolds)chew up stogies and bullet-ravaged scenery with carnivorously unfiltered zeal provides a wealth of guilty pleasures! Solberg's noisome, unsophisticated shoot 'em up nonetheless remains a crudely crafted, manifestly entertaining, Burt Reynolds time killer!
Macho muscle head,Matt Battaglia provides decent (ish) thesping support, and lust-interest, Krista Allen's garishly pulchritudinous physiognomy is a welcome erotic distraction from all the laboured, knuckle-dragging badinage. Likeable, reliably solid character actor, Richard Gant delivers the goods, and credibly, David Ackroyd subtly underplays Washington skell, Bill Gilley. The high-test, unjustly low-balled action-tastic Raven enjoys impeccable grindhouse credentials, having been co-produced by ex-sexploitation scion, Stu Segall, and Harry 'Friday 13th Manfredi's dynamic score is quite splendid, arguably the most creative element of this riotously retrograde actioner.
Macho muscle head,Matt Battaglia provides decent (ish) thesping support, and lust-interest, Krista Allen's garishly pulchritudinous physiognomy is a welcome erotic distraction from all the laboured, knuckle-dragging badinage. Likeable, reliably solid character actor, Richard Gant delivers the goods, and credibly, David Ackroyd subtly underplays Washington skell, Bill Gilley. The high-test, unjustly low-balled action-tastic Raven enjoys impeccable grindhouse credentials, having been co-produced by ex-sexploitation scion, Stu Segall, and Harry 'Friday 13th Manfredi's dynamic score is quite splendid, arguably the most creative element of this riotously retrograde actioner.
Simply put ...
teresahillfan1 November 2004
This movie is bad, but in the best possible sense of the word. The dialogue is so terrible that it's hilarious. Interestingly, two of the movie's stars, Matt Battaglia and Krista Allen (who is totally hot), appeared in many scenes together in the NBC daytime soap opera "Days of Our Lives." All I can say about Burt Reynolds is: Thank goodness he redeemed himself with "Boogie Nights." I have one main recommendation about this movie: Rent it, don't buy it. Unless you rent it and truly believe you'll want to watch it multiple times, don't waste any more money than the cost of a rental. It's entertaining, but for me, it certainly doesn't demand multiple viewings the way many of my favorite movies do.
In Humphrey Bogart's style,Burt Reynolds interprets a cinic anti-hero.
ary5 November 1998
In Humphrey Bogart's style,Burt Reynolds interprets a cinic and malevolent anti-hero.His screen presence helps to elevate the film's landing-place,differing it from the genre's vulgarity.The movie's plot is sufficient simple,and the characters are built in a mediocre way.However,director Russel Solberg bets on the action scenes,and he perfected them .The Burt Reynolds' team disastrous mission,at the beginning of the movie,is filled with supercharged shootings and explosions.The film achieves its principal aim,that is to make people have fun,and Burt Reynolds interprets his character in a delicious form.The public ends up wishing that he will escape with the gizmo and have all the money,even knowing that he doesn't worth nothing.Matt Battaglia also strives to offer a hero with credibility,who finds himself tied into the dilemma of running away from the past or facing his deadly rival from the old times.The final shooting,the helicopter crash and the terrorist attempt to the federal building are worthy of prominence.Stu Segall,a producer with tradition on television series,didn't disappoint,and conducted with efficiency a good action movie that,if suffers for its simple and weak plot,gets right in having chosen Burt Reynolds for the leading role and in not saving efforts by doing the action scenes.
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