#216
Merchants Of Death (AKA: B. O. R. N.) - 1989
(This Film Rates a C- )
This film follows an ambulance crew that abducts three women, intending to harvest their organs for sale on the black market. "People die so people can live". The crew's nefarious activities are part of a larger, well-connected network that fraudulently overcharges for illicit services. When one of the victims' fathers, Buck, is left for dead but survives, he teams up with Charlie, a volatile former cop, to rescue the girls. As Buck and Charlie embark on their quest, they travel in a Winnebago, gathering information, drinking beer and engaging in violent confrontations. Meanwhile, the abducted women are held captive, constantly sedated, and subjected to inhumane treatment to "get them ready for surgery". The film also depicts other victims being brought in, but not all are suitable for the crew's sinister purposes. The storyline and script are somewhat lackluster, and the pacing is slow. While there are some intense moments, including a car chase sequence and shootouts, the gore and effects are minimal. The film also tackles disturbing themes, such as child abuse and male-on-female rape, although these scenes are not extensively depicted. "Don't you just hate kids?" Despite its too numerous flaws, the film has some memorable lines, showcasing a dark, cynical humor. The dialogue often highlights the characters' depravity and greed, with lines like "The whole world is a stinking toilet waiting to be flushed", "All those years of shit stacked up. Hell. You're the one that needs flushing" and "Your greed feeds mine doctor" or "Nobody wants body parts that have been used that much", "Yeah, fuck me, fuck you, fuck all of us", or "I bet you can't even get a hard on anymore". The film's brief nudity and minimal exploitation elements are not enough to redeem its overall lack of coherent storytelling. Ultimately, this film falls short in delivering a compelling narrative or any memorable viewing experience.
