Really Surprised!

Overrated

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

I really wanted to like this movie. I feel terribly cynical trashing it, and that's why I'm giving it a middling 5. Actually, I'm giving it a 5 because there were some superb performances.

MISSIONARY MAN is a straight-to-DVD action flick, directed by and starring Dolph Lundgren. The film's plot takes the form of a modern-day western, with the Native American inhabitants of a run-down town finding themselves oppressed by the self-appointed rulers who run the place with an iron fist. A Bible-thumping, motorbike-riding preacher (Lundgren) soon rides into town, planning to clean things up.This is a low rent flick all the way, clearly inspired by the likes of Eastwood's PALE RIDER, although of course it can't hope to hold a candle to any of the "proper" Hollywood classics. Instead it's an ordinary little movie featuring no-name cast members and a handful of fight scenes that are hardly memorable. The best thing about this is Lundgren himself, more for his presence than his performance, towering over everything as he does.Unfortunately, something went wrong with this film during the post production process, leaving it a visual mess. Almost every scene is too dark, the colours are gone and the whole thing looks drab and muted. The plot serves as a hanger for the fight action, but the choreography is poor and muddled. I expected more from Lundgren, I have to say; MISSIONARY MAN is distinctly humdrum, and far from the actor's best.

The premise for this movie is basically a classical western story – stranger comes to town and delivers justice. The rehashed plot is nothing new , with elements taken from movies like "The outlaw Josey Wales "(1976), "Billy Jack" (1971) , " Walking tall " (1973) and "Pale rider" (1985). Actually the plot is so similar to "Pale rider" you could call "The Missionary man" a remake of Eastwood's classic. It's an The movie has a washed-out, grainy look that doesn't do it any favors. Due to a down-conversion gone wrong from HD to DVD, the picture quality and colors don't match the HD master that was approved by director Dolph Lundgren. I guess Lundgren wanted to do an arty action movie . The sad truth is that Lundgren doesn't seem to know s**t about lighting. All the sets are dimly lit and the characters are in perpetual shadow. My eyes were tired after a while.Lundgren's character wears sunglasses , rides a motorbike and reads Bible. Sounds cool , right ? Unfortunately the potential for interesting character is wasted. We never get to know anything about him to the very end of movie . He doesn't have any personality and there isn't a real reason for the audience to like Lundgren's character or care about him . The plot holes are terribly annoying - who the hell was the weeping guy , we never learn what Lundgren did for a living , where he came from , what's with his relationship with JJ and Jarfe.At 90 odd minutes not that much happens. There are many , too many boring, talky bits and few weak, jerky, short fight scenes. There should have been more excitement and edge. Dolph just sort of lumbers around and tries to look cool. The movie is lifeless , uninteresting and forgettable after few minutes."The Missionary man" is crap. I give it 1/10.

The events usually depicted in westerns were brought into 21st century, the westerns are reminded us by bringing the place of action into an Indian reservation. Like in most of movies with Lundgren, he has compassion for natives, local - also in Missionary Man, native Americans are good, but a bit naive and therefore oppressed by evil "intruders" or Caucasian and Latino males.Lundgren's character is rather awkward, alter ego Pale Rider, mysterious to the end. Compared to Lundgren's other movies, here is less violence and explosions, and plenty of minutes without his presence on the screen. The end is - of course - settling, characteristic to action movies, and the bad get that they deserve.Not the best movie where Lundgren stars, but definitely within the better half.

No, Dolph, No. That's what I'd tell the Swedish muscle man when he decided upon a career in directing. The actor to Director transfer works if you're Clint Eastwood(Quality Actor and Quality Director). Unfortunately Dolph was never a good actor, so when he turned his hand to writing and directing it could only end one way.A local gangster is strong-arming the Native Indian townsfolk into building a Casino. Anyone who argues with him tends to turn up riddled with bullets. Dolph Lungdren plays Ryder, a bible thumping shotgun wielding maniac who has an axe to grind. He rides into town on his motorcycle to attend the funeral of his murdered war buddy, but quickly starts a one man crusade to free the town.This is a hugely forgettable formula movie with plot points and action stolen from better films. You're left wondering if you actually watched it at all, as it evaporates from memory within minutes. As a director, Dolph is amateur at best. No one bothered to tell him about lighting for a start. All the sets are dimly lit and the characters are in perpetual shadow. With a searing sun above his head there are no excuses. He just had to face his actors in the other direction.As an actor, Dolph reminds us why he barely had any leading parts in movies ( Red Scorpion is the only one that comes to mind). His face only has two expressions; Square jaw angry and a gurning grin that makes PM Gordon Brown's look genuine. You can't help feel sorry for Lungdren. He's obviously not been offered much work and has decided to go it on his own. There's a quiet dignity in that. Buying his DVD makes me feel like I've dropped money in a charity bucket: Save the 80's action stars.Verdict 2/10 It gets two from sympathy.