Army of One (1993)

From a technical standpoint, this film doesn't disappoint. It marks the theatrical first unit directorial debut for Vic Armstrong, a longtime veteran of stunt work and second unit direction. This is one man who knows how to deliver action on a grand scale, and he does so here. He makes sure that this always energetic thriller never stops moving. The story isn't anything special, and there is some bad dialogue, but at the same time there are some good lines such as the one mentioned in this review summary. "Joshua Tree" isn't quite wall to wall action, at least not to begin with, but it definitely kicks into another gear in its second half, starting with an homage to John Woo, an over the top massacre of bad guys by our stoic hero Wellman Santee (Dolph Lundgren).

Santee ain't no angel, which is refreshing. He's been a runner of exotic cars, but things go very wrong when a highway cop pulls over him and his partner Eddie (a much too briefly seen Ken Foree). Soon he's in jail, framed for murder, but gets his chance to escape. Knowing he was set up, he embarks on a mission to find the man who he knows was responsible - and get paid. Exhibiting some ruthlessness, he's willing to take a hostage, Rita Marek (Kristian Alfonso). It turns out that he's actually abducted a sheriffs' deputy who's a pretty tough cookie, and Rita decides to stick by his side when she's convinced of his innocence. Hot on Santees' trail are cops (including Geoffrey Lewis as Sheriff Cepeda) and a pair of detectives, Severence (George Segal) and Rudisill (Beau Starr).

If one is partial to scenes of very cool cars driving very fast, "Joshua Tree" does deliver the goods, especially in an intense climactic chase that also shows off the beauty of the desert vistas (the movie was smartly shot using the 2.35:1 aspect ratio). But the aforementioned massacre of assorted Chinese goons is a beauty, with all of the bloodletting going on, the hammy acting of the guys getting shot, and Santees' acrobatics.

Dolph's never been that much of an actor, but then he doesn't need to be in this sort of thing. He just needs to be totally bad ass, which he does succeed at. Alfonso is very good at both providing the eye candy and playing a sidekick who can take care of herself. Lewis is under utilized, but Segal and Starr are fun, and the supporting cast features a number of familiar faces that add to the enjoyment: Bert Remsen (who's a hoot in his one scene), Michael Paul Chan, Matt Battaglia, gorgeous Khandi Alexander, and Nick Chinlund.

Fans of this genre should be more than satisfied. As testosterone-fuelled escapism goes, this is pretty good and above average.

Seven out of 10.

Fmovies: I really enjoyed viewing the unrated US Laserdisc of ARMY OF ONE. Dolph isn´t as cool as in THE PUNISHER but he´s doing quite a good job when it comes to those great shoot-outs. They sometimes reminded me on those John Woo-flicks.if you have the chance watch the unrated version, gives you more detail and is much more exciting.

Low budget, c list actors, expanses of wide open scenery but for all that a really good film. There are some parallels with Vanishing Point but generally stands out on its own. Dolf does a reasonable job but the character just isn't believable. Just a note all the cars used are replicas, but then what a crime it would be if they were real. Just ordered it on DVD from the US hope it is better than the UK video release was as the quality of that was the worst I had ever come across. Looking for something to kill a couple of hours and enjoy car chases then add this to the list of classics : Bullit, The Hidden, Ronin, Taxi, Gone In 60 Seconds, The Rock, Vanishing Point.

Army of One fmovies. First of all, I would like to mention that Dolph Lundgren is my favorite action star and maybe I give too much sympathy to him and his work but it is only my own opinion and it is always nice to hear another ones too.

So 'Joshua Tree' or 'The Army Of One' is not only a cool action movie,full of shots, fighting and car races but also a dramatic story, representing a 'man with an autumn inside his heart'.Can't remember how many times I have watched it but it seems I can guess a bit of original story.Santee was a teenager when he was arrested my fake and corrupted cop-Severance.Instead of being put at prison he was forced to work with them and transport expensive cars for Chinese mafia.All went well till the day Severance decided not to share money with anyone else and get off the driver.

Santee was not a bastard or outlaw.Maybe just illegal driver but not a killer as all the people thought of him.Best friend was killed.He-in deadly danger.Moroever, suffering from a serious wound.All he needed was a car.I agree, at first he was a bit rude with Rita but the girl understood him and did absolutely right.If you live with cruel and shitty people you start feel yourself the same.With a lovely person besides him Santee became a weak, hurt and totally destroyed man.Someone, whose life was broken.

I advice everyone to see this movie and to think a bit deeper.Not only enjoy the action but also try to understand the main character. Thanks all the actors and director-Vic Armstrong. It was really a pleasure.

Dolph Lundgren as Santee does not do much talking but makes up for it with action. Santee is a convicted cop killer who was framed by Det. Severence played by George Segal. Santee manages to escape during transport and kidnaps Rita Marrick who unknown to Santee is an off-duty cop herself. Now the action begins as Santee sets out to get revenge against Severence while at the same time is being hunted by Severence and the whole states police force. Who will get Santee first, Severence & company or Marrick the off-duty cop.

A predictable but exciting action vehicle for Lundgren, which plays more like a road movie than anything else. Although we've seen it all before, ARMY OF ONE offers up plenty of action from car chases in the desert (always a good thing) to a huge, John Woo-inspired shootout in a warehouse plus the expected fist-fights and more. All combine to make a satisfying, easy-viewing movie experience.

Lundgren here has one of his better roles and is actually required to act in some scenes, as well as being his usual hardman self. He's given good support by George Segal as the dastardly villain, Kristian Alfonso as a tough hostage he takes who also turns out to be a cop, Geoffrey Lewis as good-natured Sheriff, and the familiar Michael Paul Chan as a slimy, Chinese fellow villain. Horror fans may want to look out for DAWN OF THE DEAD's Ken Foree who is killed in the first scene but reappears throughout the movie.

Although things do take a while to get going, and it takes time to get to know (and like) the main characters, ARMY OF ONE has some excellent action towards the end. The aforementioned warehouse shootout is very violent and well-staged, and most impressive. The "speeding cars through the desert" scene is sufficiently exciting, and the expected showdown between Lundgren and the chief baddie at the end holds the attention. In all, a good time-waster, and one of Lundgren's better movies.