Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		4.5
Audio		3.0
Extras		2.0
Overall		3.5

Killer Force Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 23, 2016

Sometimes, actors join a project to fulfill creative desires, drawn to material that offers newfound areas of dramatic expression, challenging them to reach beyond their capabilities and establish new career achievements. Other times, actors just want a free vacation. I believe the latter was the primary motivation for the cast of “Killer Force” (titled “The Diamond Mercenaries” on the disc), sending famous performers to the arid wilds of South Africa, spending their days rolling around in the sand, shooting guns, making out with Maud Adams, and blowing up various vehicles. Not that there’s anything wrong with a chance to visit a corner of the globe, but “Killer Force” could’ve used more narrative emphasis when constructing its tale of a heist gone wrong. Visually, it’s a stunning picture, taking advantage of its unique locations, which provide a wide playing field for criminal activities, but storywise, the effort is missing some snap with its twists and turns, in need of more combustible events to ornament this agreeable but unremarkable thriller.

Matters are unraveling at the Syndicate Diamond Corporation, with its South African facility infiltrated by an inside man who’s stealing diamonds, planting them around the area for future transport. The bosses are disturbed but powerless, bringing in top security official Webb (Telly Savalas) to shut down criminal interests, with his unforgiving ways pushing aside traditional efforts to curb theft. Caught up in the mix is Bradley (Peter Fonda), an employee valued by Nelson (Victor Melleney). When word that a team of mercenaries, including leader Lewis (Hugh O’Brian), enforcer Chilton (Christopher Lee), and bruiser Alexander (O.J. Simpson), is circling the property, looking for trouble, Nelson secretly turns to Bradley for help, offering him a mission to pose as a diamond thief to help expose the rogue group to mine officials. Without Webb’s knowledge, Bradley begins his quest, leaving behind girlfriend Clare (Maud Adams) to make contacts and complete his duties. However, when murder snaps the chain of communication, Bradley is caught between Webb’s pursuit and Lewis’s threat, left to survive in the middle of nowhere.

“Killer Force” has the air of indulgence, with the main titles (lengthy ones to pad the run time) identifying Savalas’s personalized wardrobe, watching the actor show off his snazzy threads in every shot, with the promise of fine clothing perhaps the only reason the icon took part in the production. Demands are clearly being catered to, but the screenplay has the right idea, offering chewy parts to half-interested actors, setting up a compelling tale of diamond theft that involves multiple participants set loose in the desert. True excitement is missing, but the opening of “Killer Force” has an agreeable hook, showcasing a pair of unprepared thieves out to dig up diamonds in the sand, faced with the might of the company’s security force, which doesn’t mess around when tracking those attempting to smuggle their goods.

Webb is the alpha male in the organization. He’s a no-nonsense man of action, refusing to back down from his duties, fiercely protective of the diamonds he’s been hired to guard. “Killer Force” soon transforms into a heist picture, but it makes time to identify personalities, setting up the players in this odd game, including Bradley, who’s navigating a throttled relationship with Clare, a successful magazine model. Lewis is the outside irritant, planning something huge with his men that requires teamwork, timing, and lots of ammunition, partnering with the likes of Chilton, who enjoys slicing people up with his beloved knives, and Alexander, who works at the diamond company, setting the crime in motion. The screenplay isn’t sharp enough to challenge cliché, but there are moments of suspense that work, and Bradley’s turn from a company man to bait is appealing, establishing a promising second act that finds the fatigued man balancing demands from all sides.

Director Val Guest (“The Quartermass Xperiment,” 1967’s “Casino Royale”) takes a journeyman position with “Killer Force,” keeping the endeavor in focus and on the move, refusing style but celebrating the South African locations through extended helicopter shots that take in the landscape, which ultimately becomes a prison for those choosing to challenge it. The feature is handsome, offering bright visuals, and Guest finds a few surprises along the way, including the mine’s extensive security efforts when employees want to leave the compound, subjecting them to various oral and anal probes to cut down on smuggling schemes. Missing here is a creative fingerprint, with Guest going through the motions of action, offering up gunplay and explosions without much enthusiasm, working to stir up excitement with known elements while the screenplay files through a series of betrayals that complicate Bradley’s goal. The picture isn’t dynamic, but it’s rough at times, using violence to periodically refresh interest in the movie.

Killer Force Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation offers a new HD master for "Killer Force," and it satisfies. Refreshed with clarity, the feature enjoys rejuvenated detail, exploring desert expanse and thespian nuance. Savalas's prized clothing is a highlight, offered touchable textures and definition. Color is secure and communicative, with costuming breaking through desert hues to add some punch. Delineation is strong, though the effort has the benefit of being blasted with bright light for most of its run time. Grain is fine and filmic. Source only encounters brief blips of damage and speckling, remaining stable and inviting.

Killer Force Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix doesn't share the same freshness as the visual presentation, with cinematic enthusiasm dampened some by persistent hiss and periodic pops. Granted, technical credits aren't the feature's strong suit, offering horrible ADR work and troublesome exterior recording, and the listening experience takes some volume riding to conquer, with a few dialogue exchanges difficult to understand. Scoring fares a bit better, offering more confidence but not precision. Atmospherics are noted, but remain unremarkable.

Killer Force Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Alternate Ending (1:25, HD) is a hilariously blunt conclusion that does away with the theatrical cut's more ambiguous resolution.

• Alternate Title Credits (3:10, HD) offer the opening of the picture, listed here as "Killer Force."

• "Killer Force" (2:35, HD) and "The Diamond Mercenaries" (2:35, SD) Theatrical Trailers are included.

Killer Force Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Performances carry "Killer Force," watching Savalas finger his clothes while barking at those daring to challenge his authority. Fonda does the on-the-run routine well enough, though his enthusiasm clearly perks up around Adams, here in a nothing role as the girlfriend, who's also targeted for seduction by Webb. And perhaps just seeing Lee and Simpson share the frame is enough for most people to watch the movie. However, as passable as "Killer Force" is, it doesn't have the boldness to take it to the next level, playing it cool to preserve the South African vacation, careful not to color outside the lines as it cooks up the basics in heist and action cinema.