Hero And The Terror Review

MPAA Rating: R
Released: 1988

Chuck Norris was one of the 80's premiere action stars, and 1988's Hero and the Terror was his final film to be released during the decade. Although this movie possessed the quick kicking star and the production talents of Golan and Globus, fans of Norris movies may be surprised at what this film offers: a relatively standard cop versus serial killer film, sans much of the over-the-top action we've come to expect.

So does Norris' attempt at a more character-driven film work? Read on to find out…

Simon Moon (Jack O'Halloran), dubbed the Terror due to a string of murders, has the city of L.A. paralyzed with fear; he's a gargantuan madman that psychiatrists describe as possessing no conscious and having the instincts of a simple animal. Moon targets young women, brutally snapping their necks and then taking their bodies back to his lair as part of his perverse collection.

Officer Danny O'Brien (Chuck Norris) discovers the location of Moon's decrepit coastal lair and attempts to bring this psycho to justice, but he quickly finds that the brute is far too powerful for him to handle. O'Brien is nearly killed, but due to a stroke of luck Moon wounds himself during a mishap, allowing himself to be captured.

The citizenry of the city are so glad the nightmare and killings are over that they give O'Brien the nickname of Hero, but O'Brien knows deep down that he doesn't deserve the title; the capture was due to fate more than his own skills. In fact his close brush with death has traumatized him so much that even years after the capture of Simon Moon O'Brien has vicious nightmares about their confrontation.

A few years later the horror begins once more when Moon escapes the psychiatric institution and accidentally drives his hijacked vehicle off a rocky precipice during the escape attempt. Everyone believes that Moon had to perish during the fall; no one could survive it. But when some women start turning up dead, their necks viciously snapped, the media begins to suspect the Terror is back… a suspicion that O'Brien shares.

With his loved ones and fellow police officers in serious jeopardy, the Hero must gird himself and again confront the monster that has haunted his dreams for so many years.

For the most part the film succeeds at being an acceptable albeit formulaic cop versus killer film. The Hero and the Terror differs from standard Norris faire in that the cop doesn't get many opportunities to show off his martial arts skills; the movie instead focuses on character development and his relationship with his pregnant girlfriend. In addition the film fails to really grasp a sense of impending doom or darkness, which is virtually required for serial killer flicks.

Casting Jack O'Halloran as the part of Simon Moon was a good decision. O'Halloran (best known for his part as Non in Superman and the sequel), who is a former professional boxer, is a hulking force to be reckoned with and convincingly portrays the seemingly invincible psychopath well.

Fans of 80's action flicks will also recognize the presence of Steve James, who plays O'Brien's friend and fellow police officer. Aside from his welcome appearance, the rest of the actors are for the most part unremarkable. They don't drag Hero and the Terror down with grossly poor acting or anything like that, but they don't really get a chance to shine either.

Ultimately if you are fan of Chuck Norris and/or serial killer films then you'll probably want to watch Hero and the Terror. It's not a spectacular movie by any means, but it's a satisfying enough way to spend 90 or so minutes of your time.

Movie rating : 6 stars

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