Direct Contact

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 refuses to free her, Riggins raids the encampment, takes Ana by force, and leaves the place in flames. Things get confusing, as Ana says she has not been kidnapped, and after showing up at a meeting with Connelly without Ana, Riggins is fleeing across the city on a motorcycle, dodging bullets. He catches up with Ana at a train station, and from there the pair is continuously on the run, as she is actually the heir to a huge fortune. At 35, Gina May is in excellent physical condition.

Dolph Lundgren has been doing pretty well directing his own films, and probably would have done a better job directing this one than Danny Lenner. With numerous explosions, several vehicle chases, plenty of hand to hand combat, several flying cars, and a slew of gunfights, Direct Contact solidly delivers gratuitous violence and destruction. Unfortunately, very little effort was made to produce a polished or credible film. Command Performance (2009), which was directed by Lundgren, and is scheduled for release soon, is getting good reviews, and hopefully will be an improvement.

Direct Contact is presented in widescreen, and is closed captioned. The DVD contains no bonus features. The film is recommended to Lundgren fans, and lightly recommended to those with minimal standards for action movies.

Despite what the other reviews say below, I love the movie and the actress Gina May is cute too! People, this is an action movie 80s style, I guess some people didnt get the concept. Tell you what, Im glad Dolph is still acting. I had no idea what happened to him until I saw this movie on cable!!!!

If you like 80s style action movies youll love this!!!

RAY GAYO 007

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+

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