Easygoing motorcycle racer Vince Rommel (legendary B-movie tough guy Ross Hagen in sterling rugged form) vows to exact revenge on hostile and unstable psycho biker J.C. (expertly essayed to the hateful slimy hilt by veteran bad guy thespian Michael Pataki) after J.C. and his odious minions savagely rape and murder Rommel's girlfriend Rita (a sweet and appealing portrayal by pretty'n'perky blonde Diane McBain). Director Gus Trikonis, working from a brilliant and incisive script by Tony Huston, masterfully crafts a profound, bracing, and penetrating meditation on man's deep-seated need to race cool motorbikes, romance hot chicks, and get vengeance on anyone who dares wrong them. The side hacker race set pieces crackle with tremendous heart-pounding tension and excitement. While Hagen clearly dominates the screen with his bravura acting, he nonetheless receives exceptional support from Dick Merrifield as Rommel's amiable mechanic buddy Luke, Claire Polan as lovely and enticing motorcycle mama Paisley, Michael Graham as the duplicitous Cooch, Hoke Howell as rowdy redneck Crapout, and Robert Tessier as brawny brute Jake. The startling moments of raw'n'ugly violence pack a ferocious kick to the gut. The major climactic confrontation between J.C. and Rommel rates highly as one of the single most thrilling and suspenseful things to ever explode onto celluloid. The surprise bummer ending is simply devastating. Jon Hall's gorgeous cinematography makes amazing use of funky freeze frames. The groovy rocking score by Mike Curb and Jerry Styner likewise smokes in no uncertain terms (the swinging theme song in particular is a beaut). A true work of awe-inspiring cinematic art.
Review of Five the Hard Way
