Geeze, with all the negative reviews I see on IMDb for the films of Chuck Norris, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Steven Seagal, and Don "The Dragon" Wilson, I have to wonder just what is the point of some of those reviews. Do those reviewers simply want people to stop renting these guys' films so they stop making money and movies altogether? I am on the other end of the spectrum. I want to see these guys star in MORE films (and in continually BETTER films). With that being said, here's a review from one of the "good guys in black".
THE CUTTER is definitely worth a rental. It's a fast-paced little actioner with touches of drama and mystery thrown in.
The film opens with a bang involving a hang-glider, a mummy excavation, and one mean villain played by Daniel Bernhardt. Then Chuck makes his first appearance. He's a private eye out to rescue a hostage being held for ransom. After he dispatches the criminals, an investigating detective asks Chuck, "Did you have to throw him out of the window?" In classic deadpan form, Chuck responds, "I needed some air." Nobody can deliver a line like that as well as Chuck Norris!
The rest of the story involves the kidnapping of an expert jewel cutter (Bernie Kopell, "Doc" from THE LOVE BOAT) and Chuck's attempts to find and rescue him. There are several show-stopping fights including Daniel Bernhardt's confrontation with an unknown grey haired agent whose fighting style resembles Jeff Speakman's kenpo moves, and a great close quarter fight between Bernhardt and Norris inside a passenger bus! Both of those are real doozies that should please any serious martial arts action fan. Overall, the fights in THE CUTTER are a little more reality based in style, and therefore shorter and sloppier than those found in many kung fu films, but hey, that's what real fighting looks like!
To add to the film's charm are a couple of lovely co-stars, Joanna Pacula (GORKY PARK) and Tracy Scoggins (BABYLON 5, DEAD ON). Both ladies are very pleasing on the eyes, and both have excellent chemistry with Mr. Norris.
It's great to see Chuck back in form as the star of a non-Walker movie (Although, I still can't wait for that next Walker reunion flick that will hopefully tie up the loose ends that were left in the last one!), and I hope he continues to make films on a more regular basis. His sons and brothers continue to show interest in working behind the scenes, and are lucky to have a great showcase to work with in their more famous relative. Here's to continued success for and from the Norris family!
Here's a quick list of other must-see Chuck Norris films for new fans: A FORCE OF ONE, CODE OF SILENCE, THE OCTAGON, AN EYE FOR AN EYE, WAY OF THE DRAGON (aka RETURN OF THE DRAGON), and SLAUGHTER IN SAN FRANSISCO.
Oh, and while I'm at it, here are a couple of other fairly recent martial arts movies that are well worth a watch, WAKE OF DEATH (Jean-Claude Van Damme), REDEMPTION, MOVING TARGET (Don "The Dragon" Wilson), UNDER THE GUN (Richard Norton), and INTO THE SUN (Steven Seagal).
