Inferno (1999/II)

Directors:

John G. Avildsen
John G. Avildsen

Writer:

Tom O'Rourke (writer)

Release Date:

25 September 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Action

Tagline:

Left for dead. Burning for revenge.

Plot:

In the spring, the full moon shines for the warrior who has lost his way. Coyote is the spirit that leads back to life. If he follows the coyote when the moon is full, the warrior will see the path once more...

Plot Keywords:

Hit In Crotch | Gangsta Grip | Beautiful Woman | Neck Breaking Scene | Sawn Off Shotgun

US TV Schedule:

Fri. Jan. 8

10:00 AM

USA

Cast

Jean-Claude Van Damme	...	Eddie Lomax
Pat Morita	...	Jubal Early
Danny Trejo	...	Johnny Six Toes
Gabrielle Fitzpatrick	...	Rhonda Reynolds
Larry Drake	...	Ramsey Hogan
Vincent Schiavelli	...	Mr. Singh
David 'Shark' Fralick	...	Matt Hogan (as Shark Fralick)
Silas Weir Mitchell	...	Jesse Hogan
Jonathan Avildsen	...	Petey Hogan
Jaime Pressly	...	Dottie Matthews
Bill Erwin	...	Eli Hamilton
Ford Rainey	...	Pop Reynolds
Kevin West	...	Vern
Priscilla Pointer	...	Mrs. Henry Howard
Robert Symonds	...	Henry Howard

Also Known As:

Inferno (UK) (TV title) (USA) (alternative title)
Coyote Moon (USA) (working title)
Desert Heat (UK) (DVD title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence, language, some drug use and a sex scene.

Runtime:

95 min | Germany:81 min (cut version) | Germany:95 min (uncut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-15 | Australia:MA | Iceland:16 | Canada:18A | Brazil:14 | South Korea:18 | Philippines:R-18 | Argentina:13 | Germany:16 (cut) | Germany:18 | Mexico:C | Norway:15 | UK:18 | USA:R | Spain:18 | Singapore:M18

Filming Locations:

Mojave Desert, California, USA

Company:

Long Road Productions

Trivia:

Near the end, the bus driver invites a waitress to see the Japanese movie Yojimbo (1961) with him. This film is a remake of that.

Goofs:

Continuity: When Eddie's lying on the ground in the desert talking to Johnny, he inserts a clip into the .45 and cocks it. But when he stands up the clip is out and he inserts another one.

Quotes:

Johnny: I wanna tell you about the craziest white man I ever knew. We go back Eddie and me. I read your postcard and it said you were sending me a gift.
[nods to Eddie's motorcycle]
Johnny: Is that it?
Eddie Lomax: Yeah!
Johnny: I appreciate it Eddie. I really do. I always loved that bike.
Eddie Lomax: Sorry it broke down.
Johnny: Hey, it's an old Indian just like me. It's not the end of the world; what are you gonna do man, kill yourself?
Eddie Lomax: [takes out a Colt .45 and cocks it] That's what I'm here for Johnny.
Johnny: Postcard didn't say when you were coming. So I lit a fire. I've been watching for you.
Eddie Lomax: [in a drunken state, Eddie loads another clip into his pistol and calls out to Johnny] You know why I came to see you?
[...]

Movie Connections:

References Yojimbo (1961)

Soundtrack:

All Roads Lead To You

Take it or Leave It.

It's no secret Van Damme has lost much of what clout he once held at the box office when he's now reserved to doing leads in straight-to-video action flicks. I guess the hindsight is you could say that about any of the other big action stars. It's been awhile since Arnold really pulled in the audiences and even longer for the likes of Stallone, Norris and even good 'ol Steven Seagal. So it wasn't the biggest surprise when Van Damme's latest Desert Heat went straight to video. The strangest thing is Desert Heat while it isn't made of gold is leaps and bounds ahead of Universal Soldier 2 that got a theatrical release and Van Damme is actually pretty good when he's relaxed and having fun with a few familiar faces in the supporting cast helping out.

This one finds Van Damme as a man at his emotional end. He believes he's got nothing to live for anymore and when we met up with him he's ready to commit suicide and end his life. What happens shortly after that is pretty basic, but fuels the rest of the story. A bunch of dirty people try to wax him and leave him for dead and he swears to make them pay in blood. Not entirely original. With more gunplay than there is kicks you have to decide if that's a good or bad thing for a Van Damme flick. It's a case of opinion and/or taste more than anything else. The atmosphere is light and everyone seems to be having fun. Which is great. This story couldn't have survived a single viewing if it took itself seriously for a moment.

I'm not recommending this outright, but I'm not saying stay away either. Love or hate Van Damme, this is a half-decent addition to his mixed slate of movies and if nothing else this movie contains one of the most unique sex scenes I've seen in an action movie in a really, really long while. It's both erotic and vaguely comical at the same time if you can believe that. You'll have to see the movie to know what I mean, but this all goes back to an earlier point. This movie never takes itself seriously for one moment and that's what in the end keeps the movie enjoyable rather than being a pain to watch.