Review of Dark Angel

Dark Angel (1990)
5/10
Undemanding , but fun B-class action sci-fi movie
24 June 2018
This project was initially titled "Lethal Contact" (as it was first written in 1984 as a spec script by Jonathan Tydor). A rewrite of the script was penned by writer/director David Koepp ("Jurassic park" , "Spiderman"). The production, filming and international title is "Dark Angel", and was released as such worldwide, before it was changed to "I Come in Peace" for the late U.S. release, because of two other existing movies entitled "The Dark Angel".

The movie was released in 1990 , but it was made in 1988. This explains why it has 80's feel all over it. The cars , haircuts , clothes, music and special effects are all pure 80's , but don't worry. This movie had a 7 mln $ budget and it has dated really well. The production values are more than OK and there is some nice stunt work and decent special effects here. "Dark angel" is a good proof that practical effects are more timeless than CGI effects.

At it's heart "Dark angel" is a buddy cop movie with a little bit of "Terminator" and "Predator" thrown in. Actually it makes me wonder was this movie some sort of inspiration for "Predator 2" ? Anyway , it's better than "Predator 2". This movie probably wouldn't have been made today , because people would say it's too cheesy. Is it cheesy ? Yes , but it's unpretentious and harmless fun. It's also NOT a brainless fun . There is some invention here -(CD disc as a weapon , aliens and drugs). "DA" is also pretty self aware of what kind of movie it is and through the whole movie you can feel a slight auto-parody feel to it ( The "White boys" gang ).

Dolph Lundgren does a admirable job as the main hero making "Dirty Harry" Cain a easy to like character. Brian Benben is also good as his sidekick - Mister "everything by the book". The chemistry between them works well. Matthias Hues is quite memorable and intimidating as the villain. I also liked the actor who plays the wacky scientist and Betsy Brantley as the love interest.

The dialogues and one liners might be the best thing about this movie . They very funny and very quotable : "It's like setting your radio dial to K-I-L-L!" , " I come in peace - And you go back in pieces" and few more. The script is blessed with some witty one-liners.

In terms of action this movie also doesn't disappoints. It might be a movie with the largest number of exploding cars ever. There are also shootouts , some fights. Action fans shouldn't worry.

The music by Jan Hammer ("Miami vice") is cool and catchy. The songs are cheesy , but fun. I like especially the song "Touch me tonight" by Shooting stars.

It's fun , trashy , unpretentious action sci-fi movie . It's not something to put on the "The best science fiction movies ever" list , but the light, comic book style action is a good way to relax after hard day in work. I've heard it's a cult movie in some places and it's not really hard to understand why. A very likeable small movie and one of Lundgren's best. I give it 5/10.
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