William "Bill Hassle" is an Unbridled, Unleashed fury - the nightmare of global villains wise enough to fear his potential taste for justice. This fourth installment can be viewed as a stand alone yet has elements, references, and characters from prior installments. The original "Hassle" introduced arch-nemesis Robert Krauser. This original short has Hassle's son (8 yr old?) locked away in a brutal "Saw"-esque location ending at a cliffhanger.
"Hassle Unbridled" (Part 2) moves much of the action to the "sixth boro" of New York City - Hoboken. Brilliant biochemist Krauser's wife Caroline is introduced as well as the reason why Krauser goes insane toward Hassle. There are some lovely locations shots from the New York City skyline to the Delaware Valley (NJ/PA border due west of NYC). How can Hassle save his son and himself as well as many others? The ending of this film is masterful and is much appreciated. Note: If baby crying disturbs you, please beware.
"Hassle Unleashed" (3) finds our hero equipped with a stylish "Bond"-esque mini-sub infiltrating The Islamic Republic of Iran. The martial arts in this one are sweet and many new characters are introduced. Spoiler: Not all of our favorite characters make it out alive. The scope of this "full length short film" is broad and the action is fast and furious. Many of the actors have subsequently gone on to impressive film careers. Another fine ending wraps of "Hassle 3" in a neat bow.
"Hassel Unbound" (4) is by far the most ambitious undertaking in the franchise in terms of FX. The effects are not overdone - there is live action aplenty. Bad guys old and new fill this silver screen with alternate answers to many of the 21st century's most guarded secrets. 4 million people are killed instantly as a mysterious weapon destroys D.C. and Chicago. The U.S. is in chaos when a 3rd major political party - The Continuum - rises to restore order and pride. The first woman president in U.S. history wins in resounding fashion on 11-6-2012. We soon learn that many more world cities are threatened and only one man can save them. But he will need to leave the Earth itself to do so. One scene in particular is reminiscent of "Tron". A classic finale places the future direction (if any) of this franchise in question. A final will-o-wisp flourish at the very end tempts the viewer to speculate what direction that may be!
(N.B. for some reason Hassel is sometimes auto-corrected here to Hassle)
"Hassle Unbridled" (Part 2) moves much of the action to the "sixth boro" of New York City - Hoboken. Brilliant biochemist Krauser's wife Caroline is introduced as well as the reason why Krauser goes insane toward Hassle. There are some lovely locations shots from the New York City skyline to the Delaware Valley (NJ/PA border due west of NYC). How can Hassle save his son and himself as well as many others? The ending of this film is masterful and is much appreciated. Note: If baby crying disturbs you, please beware.
"Hassle Unleashed" (3) finds our hero equipped with a stylish "Bond"-esque mini-sub infiltrating The Islamic Republic of Iran. The martial arts in this one are sweet and many new characters are introduced. Spoiler: Not all of our favorite characters make it out alive. The scope of this "full length short film" is broad and the action is fast and furious. Many of the actors have subsequently gone on to impressive film careers. Another fine ending wraps of "Hassle 3" in a neat bow.
"Hassel Unbound" (4) is by far the most ambitious undertaking in the franchise in terms of FX. The effects are not overdone - there is live action aplenty. Bad guys old and new fill this silver screen with alternate answers to many of the 21st century's most guarded secrets. 4 million people are killed instantly as a mysterious weapon destroys D.C. and Chicago. The U.S. is in chaos when a 3rd major political party - The Continuum - rises to restore order and pride. The first woman president in U.S. history wins in resounding fashion on 11-6-2012. We soon learn that many more world cities are threatened and only one man can save them. But he will need to leave the Earth itself to do so. One scene in particular is reminiscent of "Tron". A classic finale places the future direction (if any) of this franchise in question. A final will-o-wisp flourish at the very end tempts the viewer to speculate what direction that may be!
(N.B. for some reason Hassel is sometimes auto-corrected here to Hassle)