Shadow Warriors

This is such an unbelievable heap of rubbish that it's worth a watch. There's only one word to sum up this sad action/sci-fi clunker: incompetence. It's somewhat of a Z-grade "Universal Soldier" rip-off (I can't even imagine all its sequels getting as bad as "Shadow Warriors"). Terry O'Quinn is terribly wasted as the evil scientist with a greedy plan. So, the whole film's pretty much a mess without a plot, consisting of scenes featuring two body-builder idiots with computer chips in their brains chasing each other through Ukraine landscapes and beating the crap out of themselves. Jumping off bridges, hanging on helicopters, blowing things up. Oh sure, a fast-paced action-packed thrill-ride for sure. And inept on all levels. The whole film long, I only wondered about two things: Why are those people doing these things and why are they speaking such drivel? My intelligence must have been lacking, because I just couldn't quite grasp this film. How rubbish can an action movie get, actually? Watch "Shadow Warriors" (aka "Techno-Fear") and find out. It's one of a kind; you don't stumble upon one of these too often.

This film is about humans who are transformed into robotic fighting machines. It seems that there is an organization with offices in Russia and the United States that takes dead or nearly dead people and transforms them into these cyborgs--resulting in something STRONGLY reminiscent of "RoboCop". In fact, the idea is so similar, you can't give "Shadow Warriors" any credit for originality.

One day, one of their TS-03 models goes crazy and begins killing everyone in the Russian facility. So, it's up to a newly developed TS-04 to put a stop to him. Oddly, however, not only does the TS-04 begin killing, but it also is able to overpower the newer and better TS-04 when they have a confrontation. The only logical explanation, JUST LIKE IN "RoboCop", is that someone has deliberately tampered with the TS-03. Who and why is unknown.

If you are a person like me who is not a huge fan of all-action films, then this film will be tough going. Compared to the Schwarzenegger and Sylvster Stalone films, this one is MUCH more action-oriented. There is practically no dialog through much of the film and it's kill, kill, kill--as if actual plot and characters weren't especially important. Mindless is the best way to describe the result.

The only reason I watched the film at all was because in an interview Quentin Tarantino said it helped inspire him with his "Kill Bill" movies--though I just don't see it. Tarantino's films, though violent, are very intelligently made and clever. I just don't see any of that in this film. It's all very obvious and low-brow--with nothing of any interest to anyone who wants more than just gunfire and punching.

I think that this is the greatest film of all time, it is the most entertaining film i have ever seen. Barkley running about with his mad slides has influenced many peoples lives. Its a cross between Terminator and Robocop and Seedpeople. Its pure cheese from start to finish. Barkley is also a fast mover, look how quickly he snogs the lady at the end, 3 seconds after her husband is blown up by a david seaman look-a-like with the greasiest pony tail in the world.

11/10.

i want to meet barkley!!!!

If you ever wanted to test your ability to stay awake for long periods of time but didn't want to go without sleep for two or three days at a time, try keeping your eyes open for the duration of this grueling 90 minutes of RoboCop rip-off. As other reviewers have mentioned there is, in fact, "action" in this flick but it is at the expense of any sort of character development alongside a nonsense plot that leaves you bored and uninterested in anything that transpires. It has a distinctly European flavor to it, but not in a good way and one dude kind of looks like my body opponent punching bag down in the basement, only I'll credit the punching bag with having better acting skills. Not so bad it's good, not funny, and generally tough to watch unless you are a real glutton for punishment. If I had to choose between this and Abraxas, Guardian of the Universe, I'd choose Abraxas. It's that bad.