Reviewed By-Paul Cooke
Director : Yossi Wein
Scripted : Danny Lerner & David Sparling
Starring : Jim Fitzpatrick , Greg Collins , Ty Miller ,
Justin Williams , James Hicks & Geff Francis

For macho mayhem on a minimum outlay infused with maximum payback , patrons could do a lot worse than to splash out on ‘ U.S. Seals ’. Okay so it’s not the Hollywood dogs happy sack but for team unit action , minus any novelty canine act , this is the ‘Scuba Doo’ show to enjoy with or without a snack. When cargo bearing ships are hijacked with military precision the Navy top brass call in Lieutenant Mike Bradley and his team of Seals , authorising a mission to take out operations and discover who is behind the audacious scheme. Their informed objective is an inoperative oil rig off the shore of Bulgaria , and the drill is to close down the contraband criminals as well as take prisoners. Under cover of night the Seal Unit of frogmen stealthily secure positions upon the refinery , and helicopter support gives them tactical advantage in an overthrow. Hand to hand combat and a fierce exchange of gunplay show off the Action and stunt coordinators prowess on the fighting front , energetically setting the standard for further melees to come. There are casualties taken on both sides but Navy Intelligence are provided with a prisoner to question , yet within their ranks lies a dual operative who leaks information that results in extreme retaliatory prejudice. Amongst the casualties upon the sea platform was the son of the formidable ringleader who immediately seeks personal retribution upon Lieutenant Bradley and his family , impassively killing his wife by car bomb and putting his son into hospital.

Considered too personally involved Mike Bradley is ordered leave of absence as the CIA and FBI take control of the case. Bradley is focussed on payback and takes his own course of action to weed out the man behind the cargo theft magnet , and killer of his wife. His Seal buddies aren’t about to let him go solo though and are right beside him asb they crack down to business under their own resources. Once Bradley attains the knowledge required his canny boss reinstates him , giving authority via the code of turning a blind eye to finish the job. Kitted up to the hilt Lieutenant Bradley and his compact strong arm unit of men , having raided the Navy munitions cache , lock and load for the big showdown with an acknowledged yet unofficial stamp of approval.

This very solid Actioner plays it by the numbers with satisfying gratification , delivering just what its intended audience could wish for in an expectant and duly delivered format. Good close quarter camera work gets right in amongst proceedings as Mike Bradley and his men , against the odds , show off their fighting capabilities in brutal yet believable fashion. Infiltrating the home of Kane Whitlock , who is revealed to be the power behind the thrown of the elitist organisation and someone with a special forces background , Bradley and corps are pitted against a small army amidst what is a personal fortress. The display of running exchanges here involves all manner of personal enmity along with a military helicopter , rocket launchers , multiple explosions and a large scale armoured vehicle chase for added big time colossal carnage.

Events play out to the requited squaring off between Mike Bradley and the expressively well portrayed intelligent bad guy Kane Whitlock , all to the pleasurable plaudit of this surprisingly well done production. Considering the meagre budget afforded it the film packs a considerable punch , and is very much deserving of an official U.S. Seal of Approval.

Presentation : Fullscreen 4:3
Release : Hollywood DVD
Coding : PAL Region 0
Sound : Dolby Stereo 2.0
Extras : Trailers For Other Films