( 1990 / Philippines )
( 1990 / Philippines )
Review By-Paul Cooke Director: Willie Dado Starring: Max Laurel , Orestes Ojeda , Monica Herrera , Ruel Vernal , Charlie Davao , Romy Diaz & Max Alvarado Source : Albatros / NTSC VHS Japan / Full Screen Presentation / English Dubbed With Small Japanese Subtitles / Hi Fi Mono Sound
‘‘Prepare the bazooka , we have to neutralise them !’’
Just when you thought it was tedious to go back into the jungle up pops another thunderous gem to pin back your ears and bring a tear of Action lovin’ joy to the eye. Finally regular support star Max Laurel has his opportunity to step up to lead man and in so doing gets to slog a home run winner. It’s guerrilla warfare from those furiously fun Filipino folk as the marines take on the jungle bandits in a gloriously colourful hybrid of the spaghetti western and a World War II flick. Max Laurel gets to play the John Wayne role but in a naturally developed muscle suit that even his pearls of sweat slide off in exasperated awe. Laurel plays the role of Danny Clark , a powerhouse of a local discovered by the marine corps during the opening sequence bar room brawl. Danny displays his brawn in a one sided charge up against some trouble makers , and soon after he signs up as a marine. Now the bad guys really have something to worry about as Danny completes his marine training course with flying colours , and is soon promoted through the ranks.
The films title refers to Sergeant Clarin when in fact there is no Sergeant Clarin as of course the titular hero is in fact Danny , who quickly acquires the rank of Sergeant Clark !. A quirky miss-translation then for this Japanese VHS release. Make no mistake though , Max Laurel is most definitely not miss-cast in the lead role. The character could have been written just for him as he plays the part of protagonist perfectly , emitting an aura of tough Action star as if born to the position. Buckle up then fellow mad Max men and madam’s , it’s time to hit the jungle !.
An American business man is held hostage by the guerrilla faction and is regaled by an unwanted pair of hand grenades for earrings. Flesh tearing ants eat away at his upper torso in the hot sun as the terrified dignitary is strung up outdoors in a bamboo cage. Like willow the wisps floating on the breeze Danny and hand chosen men get close enough , without being immediately detected by the enemy , and unload a barrel load of fiery fury. Huts explode and pump action guns spew grenades at intended targets. The guerrilla boss wields a lethal machete at his prisoner , only to be dealt a death blow at the hand of Danny and the would be political incident dies a death all its own before hitting the world news.
A tour of duty has Danny and his men surrounded by the antagonist faction and even though overwhelmed Danny strikes back fast and true. The accuracy of his gun shots to the heads of the militant group is unerring and bloody as the squibs pop like ketchup hitting a naked flame. Danny is shot himself several times before he and his men are victorious , leading to him being raced to a medical facility by helicopter. Here Danny recuperates and upon leaving hospital receives notification from upon high that he is promoted to the rank of sergeant.
The story takes on a whole new dimension and tact from here on in as Danny has to choose between his military career and that of his family’s safety , following an assault upon his home village and family. The jungle bandits prey on the local villages and use the villagers as slave labour , cultivating provisions for them in a one sided deal that leaves the poor folk in constant poverty. Danny is ordered to follow his duty as a soldier and is even refused compassionate leave when his brother is killed and his mother is left seriously unwell with grief. Sergeant Clark has no option but to go AWOL and during his time investigating the tragic events he uncovers a conspiracy that leads to the very door of the local mayor who is in allegiance with the bandits. When even the law refuse to help Danny and his people he has no other choice but to takes matters into his own hands , defiantly uttering the forthright statement , ‘‘If I have to I’ll do what has to be done to seek Justice !’’. John J. Rambo step aside as Danny Clark , man of war , is pissed and he’s about to tear open an aggressive can of retribution that involves just about everyone !.
The mayor loses face and is killed so leading to Danny becoming the number one suspect. The leadership falls into the hands of tyranny and Danny becomes a hunted man. In order to bring about justice and prove his innocence sergeant Clark must bring down the new regime and show them for what they truly are. With the help of a handful of men he can trust absolutely Danny forms a band of elitist mercenaries. A group of highly trained fellow soldiers who hide out in the jungle and become soldiers of misfortune against the corrupt hand of the law , and the villainous bandits. A wrecking crew armed to the hilt and prepared to fight to the death.
Stronger than an ox and broader than a charging bull Danny cuts a swathe right through the heart of the jungle scourge and their political allies. Danny alone is responsible for deftly decapitating by machete , lethal take down by single hand held cross bow and deadly accurate with any form of gun he chooses to use in his vigilante cause. He is spurred on even more when it becomes apparent that the mayor gave the order to murder his brother !.
Falling between the crack along the path of righteousness Danny and his loyal men are ordered by their own army to be brought to justice dead or alive. As Danny and his men continue to fight against the despotic jungle guerrillas a fellow army friend fights to get a pardon for his champion of the people , but the message has to be relayed to the front line that is fast closing in on the sergeant and his men. What transpires in the fraught filled exciting battle charged climax is lump in the throat stuff of classic old school matinees. A power house of explosive Action plays out for a long duration that never lets up for a moment. The edge of the seat convergence of battling forces will delight fans of war movies and Action alike. A bloody pallet bleeds across the jungle green as a cast of extras fall by the hundred in a killing field ploughed by once farmers born to arms. This is a big bang , bad boy final payoff up there with the best of them.
Sergeant Danny Clark and his close fighting compatriots are still considered AWOL , and as they fight against the guerrillas their own fellow soldiers fight against them in a crossfire deluge of bullets and incredible firepower. The bodily carnage is fast and furious yet Danny fights to the very end , whilst all around him the battle ground becomes ever more expansive and even more explosive. An Action packed jungle warfare winner. Terrific stuff !.
© 2006 cinema-nocturna.com
