Legendary action star Steve McQueen was one of the first actors to become film stars after initially reaching fame on television. His road to stardom was western series Wanted: Dead or Alive in which he played character of bounty hunter Josh Randall. The series, originally aired between 1958 and 1961, received an unusual sort of sequel in eponymous 1987 feature film directed by Gary Sherman.
The plot of the film is set a century later than in the series and its protagonist, played by Rutger Hauer, is Nick Randall, descendant of Josh Randall who also became a bounty hunter. He learned some of his skills as CIA operative and now works in Los Angeles, hoping to earn enough money to retire and spend his days traveling the world on a boat with his girlfriend Terry (played by Mel Harris). One day his old colleague Walker (played by Robert Guillaume) contacts him about new lucrative contract. He is to capture Malak al-Rahim (played by Gene Simmons), Middle Eastern terrorist who came to Los Angeles and began series of bombings which are only diversion for his real plan that involves destruction of chemical factory that could kill tens of thousands of people. Randall agrees, not knowing that his former CIA boss Lipton (played by Jerry Hardin) actually wants to use him as a bait, because Malak had killed Randall’s friends during his service in Middle East.
Rutger Hauer in one of his early Hollywood starring roles is the greatest asset of the film. Director and co-writer Gary Sherman tries, and for the most part succeeds, in using not only Hauer’s acting skills, but also his iconic presence. While Nick Randall, armed with shotgun, is introduced as Terminator-like machine for catching criminals, script actually makes his character world-weary and melancholic at times. The rest of cast is also good, and includes Gene Simmons, famous KISS bass players, as very effective villain. Robert Guillaume is also effective as protagonist’s old friend, while Jerry Hardin is also good as cynical government bureaucrat, very unlike Deep Throat in The X-Files. On the other hand, some actors have little to do due to underwritten roles, like Mel Harris as protagonist’s obligatory girlfriend.
Made with rather low budget, Wanted: Dead or Alive works best in the first half, when the characters and plot are introduced. Around the middle film begins to lose pace and some of its flaws become apparent. The story, which involves killing of large number of innocent people, is rather dark and unpleasant, but the film is also literally dark because large segments take place at night and make some scenes confusing. General impression is saved mostly thanks to unusual ending which features one of the most memorable one-liners in history of 1980s action cinema. Although flawed, this film could be recommended even to viewers who aren’t big fans of Rutger Hauer.
RATING: 5/10 (++)
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