Direct Contact

hopefully Command Performance will be better . . .
Although the action scenes are decent, the stunts executed fairly well, and the story fairly plausible, Direct Contact (2009) suffers from `lazy filmmaking'. There is a lack of attention to detail, a lack of effort in the writing of dialog, and a basic disregard for logic and reality, that detracts from what is otherwise a serviceable comic book action adventure. Since Danny Lenner both wrote and directed the film, the source of the problems appears clear.

Dolph Lungren is Mike Riggins, a former US marine doing time in a Balkan prison, for dealing in contraband. Riggins is offered money and his freedom, in return for freeing a kidnapped woman named Ana Gale, (Gina Marie May) who is being held captive in a guarded military compound. Clive Connelly (Michael Pare), supposedly associated with the US embassy, brokers the deal and arranges for Riggins release.

Riggins speaks to Vlado Karadjov (Vladimir Vladimirov), the man holding the woman hostage. After Vlado...

Entertaining B action
I don't have high hopes on movies written and directed by Danny Lerner and Dolph's direct-to-DVD movies have been of varying quality. "Direct Contact" was better than I expected. There's nothing original about the plot but it's entertaining, with a fast pace and plenty of action. This is Dolphh's best movie in some time. Recommended for action fans. 3+

"Search for Americanskis!"
The story: Mike Riggins (Lundgren), an ex-Special Forces veteran of Kosovo, is promised release from his unjust incarceration at a Bulgarian prison by a shady businessman (Michael Paré, Streets of Fire) if he can rescue an American woman (Gina May, "Undressed", "Malibu, CA") from the control of a sadistic general (Bashar Rahal, Hannibal: Rome's Worst Nightmare). However, when it becomes clear that the girl was not kidnapped but is being stalked for darker reasons, Mike must fight for his life as he attempts to bring her safely to the American embassy.

If nothing else, "Direct Contact" stands out for being the most action-packed of all of Lundgren's recent pre-Expendables fare. More so than any of the no-namers who wrangled Dolph's fare in the last several...

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