Search - Chain of Command on DVD

Oil Companies, CIA, Terrorists & Michael Dudikoff. Who is w

The Straw Man | Aloof October on April's Birthday | 01/21/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have to say that I have always been fond of Michael Dudikoff ever since I saw him in "American Ninja" when I was a kid. It is safe to say that anyone who knows the movie (and its sequels) "American Ninja" knows who Michael Dudikoff is. For those of you who don't, Michael Dudikoff is an action star who was featured in many films produced by the "Cannon Group". The "Cannon Group" pumped out many violent and exploitation types of films in the 1980s. Many of these movies featured Charles Bronson or Chuck Norris. Oh if one was wondering, "Chain of Command" was produced by the "Cannon Group".

In this movie Michael Dudikoff plays Merrill Ross an American Special Forces agent who becomes pawn in a politic game of power between the CIA, the Middle East, Terrorists and Western Oil Company. This might sound sort of confusing and befuddling and believe it or not it is. I had a hard time keeping tally who was good, who was bad and what was the motive of each character. Not that this movie had the greatest storyline in the world, but this pseudo duplicity of a plot gave this movie a slight elevation from your normal B action movie.

With regards to acting, nothing really wonderful, nothing really terrible. Michael Dudikoff has quite the "potty mouth" in this movie. I wish I had a quarter every time he dropped the "F word". Nevertheless, Michael Dudikoff gives this movie a pizzazz which is somewhat refreshing, especially if you are only familiar with him from the "American Ninja" series. The lead villain in this movie has a mullet that is so amazing; this mullet can only be believed by seeing it. As a matter of fact, I kept thinking this "villain" was a Megadeth roadie.

Overall this movie wasn't anything extravagant, all "bad guys" fell like bowling pins when Michael Dudikoff shoots them and the unneeded love interest was so passé. The DVD itself gives an entire new meaning to "bare bones", no trailer, no subtitles and no scene selection just a screen (the same as the DVD cover) that says "play movie". I found this movie to be very enjoyable, others might too if their expectations are too high.

MICHAEL DUDIKOFF FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Criteria Necessary for Liking this Movie

jamespen | Ohio | 05/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you like Dudikoff, explosions, over-the-top villains and R. Lee Ermey, you'll like this movie. If you like a hard-rock song over the end credits, good use of low-budget production values and a sexy sidekick chick who says corny lines to the hero like, "You're good, real good," you'll like this movie. If you're smart enough to realize that there's going to be bad acting, dull fast-forward moments and a plot that , at times, is too complicated, but you are willing to overlook these flaws, then you'll like this movie. In short, if you like 80's,90's action movies, even ones that went direct to video, you'll like this film."