10/10
An above average crime thriller.
5 June 2002
As a Dolph Lundgren fan this film goes down as one of my prefered viewings. I do like a good thriller, with some plot twists and tension. This film has those but to a mild degree, your not going to get really excited at this compared to something like Mission Impoosble with its high production and A-list cast but for a B-movie this is a good film that is surprising in places and reasonably well written.

Dolph plays Michael Dane, who is working with the FBI to try to capture a known assasin played by the sexy Maruschka Detmers. Dane does not beleive she killed the Cuban Ambassador, but he still has to bring her into custody in the build up to a summit between the US and Cuba to try to get the two country's to shake and make up if you like. The plot at times raises questions that many action thrillers do, for instance why are they doing that? one particular example is the inclusion of Dolphs character, he is flown in from New York to Prague simply to arrest this Woman, why on Earth she wasn't brought in before is beyond me, especially considering that her whereabouts were known. A lot doesn't make sense but those minor quibbles aside, the film is nicely paced and is enjoyable.

The acting is good, Dolph is assured and puts in one of his better performances, he has great chemistry with the excellent Maruschka who in turn also shows great chemistry with Assumpta Serna who plays Marta the possible lover of Simone. That is another mystery of the film, the sexual preference of Simone (Detmers) this does kind of undermine the development of a relationship between Dolph and Maruschkas characters. Also good is John Ashton as a bit of comic support as Danes Foster father and aid in the hunt for Simone.

Furthermore, the action scenes. They are not overly stylish but are exciting, Dolph is in prime condition to dish out a battering and there is some good gun play included as well. Particular standout scenes are the capturing of Simone, and her subsequant escape. Also later in the film when Dolph rescues Simones character and just after when they both escape. The end is good to with the music helping to really build everything to a climactic crescendo.

Overall this is a fairly decent thriller, with some nice lighting in the dark shots, and some nice and suitably dank locations. Dolph and Maruschka have a great chemistry, and the twists in the film are good. I would give this a 7/10
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