Review of The Blood of Heroes (1989) by Euan S — 14 Oct 2008

Remembered liking this when I was a kid and got a hold of a copy for nostalgia's sake - and it's quite brilliant, bearing in mind its low budget. A great cast led by the fantastic Rutger Hauer, turning in a great performance as ever, and served particularly well by support featuring Joan Chen (should have been a star, what happened to her?), Delroy Lindo and Vincent D'Onofrio. As with many other low-budget post apocalyptic movies it shares much with the Mad Max films, but makes no explanation of why the world is like this, it simply is. Also in many ways resembles any number of sports movies, so provides a familiarity to the story which allows you to sympathise with the characters. The dialogue is reasonable, and decently played, the action scenes are brutal and entertaining.

All in all I would recommend this to any lovers of low-budget fare, as it has surprisingly few flaws, is directed and acted more than competently, and has an engaging plot which has you rooting for Hauer's team much in the same way as you rooted for Rocky.