Firewalker (1986)

User Rating:

4.2/10   

Director:

J. Lee Thompson

Writers:

Norman Aladjem (story)
Robert Gosnell (screenplay)

Release Date:

November 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy

Tagline:

A pair of down-and-out fortune hunters cash in on high adventure!

Plot:

A pair of adventurers try to track down an ancient Aztec/Mayan/Egyptian/ Apache horde of gold.

Plot Keywords:

Treasure | Gold | Treasure Hunt | Adventurer | Fight

Cast

Chuck Norris	...	Max Donigan
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Leo Porter
Melody Anderson	...	Patricia Goodwin
Will Sampson	...	Tall Eagle
Sonny Landham	...	El Coyote
John Rhys-Davies	...	Corky Taylor
Ian Abercrombie	...	Boggs
Richard Lee-Sung	...	Chinese Man / The General
Zaide Silvia Gutiérrez	...	Indian Girl
Álvaro Carcaño	...	Willie
John Hazelwood	...	Tubbs
José Escandón	...	Co-Pilot
Mário Arévalo	...	Guerilla Leader
Juan Jaramillo	...	Tough Guerilla
Miguel Ángel Fuentes	...	Big Man (as Miguel Fuentes)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (TVC)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Iceland:12 | West Germany:12 (f) | Finland:K-14 | Norway:15 | UK:15 | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Mexico

Company:

Cannon Group

Trivia:

Will Sampson's last film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Aztec" and "Mayan" are used interchangeably to refer to the hidden treasure and the culture that hid it.

Quotes:

Patricia: [Max, Leo, and Patricia are dressing in holy attire on a train] If you're trying to make a pass at me, Max... I hardly think we're dressed for the occasion.

Grab a beer, lay back, and enjoy this confused but very entertaining ride!

Here I come, knight in shining armour, to rescue you, Firewalker!!

I don't see why so many people gave it not only low rating but also very negative reviews. On the other hand, maybe after reading this review many people might think that I am an utterly hopeless... person (but I doubt that I am if I may say so myself ;-)

I virtually love this film! I even baught it on VHS!! So there! ;-D

Yes it is most certainly some kind of Indiana Jones story, but hey?! How many of you out there who love the I.J. movies do not think that there are far too little such movies ever made, the true adventure stories in an undiscovered world! Next thing is that this movie is certainly not trying to be better than I.J. because it is quite clear it can never be, but what it does is open its own realm so it can co-exist with whatever you want to compare it to.

Anyway, I think Norris acting is rather bad and clumsy. He plays like a frozen brick (unless its in the fighting scenes). Louie... I think he gives the movie what it deserves. But what I just did is something you shouldn't really do with this movie - look at each actor at a time. Because both actors form a greater whole than what they individually could create! They are a real acting team in some way, both are somewhat lost in the world, they don't seem to really belong in that adventure business, they should have rather stayed at home and become park rangers of the smallest parks they could find... but since they didn't: all what they are, do and represent turns into some kind of comical base for the movie. What is comedy? Mostly that you find something in a place where you wouldn't expect it! That is the case with those two dorks out there in the jungle! They don't even know how to fire a pistol but they do it anyway!

This movie is in a way innocent and easy going. It is not so much about having a mission and being unbeatable and hard as iron on your way to your goal. It is rather about not being sure how, but going there anyway without even really being prepared for it so to speak.

No, for gods sake, don't take it seriously, just turn off your sensors and let it fill your brain with all the nonsense, the many very nice humourous scenes, the sometimes flat but charming dialog, the playfulness and the situations where the heroes are in trouble but where you know they're gonna make it eventho they are a bit stupid but they manage anyway because they just hang on and have a bit of luck (which they definatly need).

This is a very easy going, fun and entertaining movie. Rip-off or not, it has it's very own style, pace, and most certainly a LOTTTT of charm!