Mercenary Fighters Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		3.0
Audio		2.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		2.0

Mercenary Fighters Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf October 4, 2022

International conflicts turned into B-movie spectacle was the Cannon Films way throughout the 1980s, with producers Yoram Globus and Menahem Golan trying to keep things exotic for the audience, and also score some cheap locations in the process. For 1988’s “Mercenary Fighters,” the production travels to South Africa to explore a story concerning tribal relations in the continent, detailing some political unrest that requires brute Americans to solve. There are no surprises in “Mercenary Fighters,” which delivers the same old Cannon formula, this time involving star Peter Fonda, who tries to do something worth paying attention to in an otherwise generic actioner that’s somehow under the impression it’s offering a respectful understanding of war and all its cruelties.

In the country of Shinkasa, local government wants to clear out tribes blocking the route of a proposed dam capable of generating a fortune for those in charge. Hoping to clear out the problem without triggering global attention, the local military brings in an outside mercenary group, with Captain Virelli (Peter Fonda) paid to do some dirty work, joined by Cliff (Ron O’Neal), Wilson (James Mitchum), and T.J. (Reb Brown). The men get to work, targeting a rebel leader, but T.J. begins to notice something isn’t right about the situation, with nurse Ruth (Joanna Weinberg) helping him to see the error of his ways.

“Mercenary Force” is basically a glorified “A-Team” episode, following Virelli into the wilds of Africa, where he’s been tasked with getting rid of the population, supported by his old war buddies. Director Riki Shelach isn’t too concerned with the nuances of African horrors, simply using the set-up to arrange some extended action sequences, which find the Americans using firepower to take out their targets, giving the production plenty of chances to film explosions and gunfights, with a few achieving an unexpectedly grand scale.

There’s little story in “Mercenary Fighters,” with T.J.’s arc of enlightenment the main dramatic conflict here, watching the dim man come to life when confronted with his own wrongdoing, realizing country leaders aren’t honorable. Ruth is here to combat all the masculinity of the picture, but she’s not a character with promise, merely here to provide moral support for T.J., sharing her experiences and access. The rest of “Mercenary Fighters” is basic nonsense with mild stunt work, joined by a bit of oddness when Virelli, in the middle of a conflict, choppers in a bunch of prostitutes to pleasure his men, yet they demand a bath first. And so, while the country burns around them, viewers are treated to a scene where the mercenaries frolic with hookers in a river. That’s about as Cannon Films as a movie can get.

Mercenary Fighters Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "Brand new 2K master." The viewing experience offers decent colors, with deep greenery during exterior tours. Costuming retains intended hues, and skin tones are natural. Detail struggles, lacking a finer look at frame particulars. Jungle missions offer passable depth. Delineation is acceptable. Grain is blocky, lacking a film-like appearence. Source has some extended scratches.

Mercenary Fighters Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix has issues, with channel instability throughout the listening experience. Intelligibility isn't threatened, but damage is detected, resulting in inconsistent levels that distract. Scoring is also tainted, but the basics of synth selections are appreciable. Sound effects are blunt, highlighting all kinds of gunfire and explosions.

Mercenary Fighters Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Trailer (1:30, SD) is included.

Mercenary Fighters Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Mercenary Fighters" does benefit from capable actors (with the exception of Brown), and the cast tries to sell some sort of camaraderie between scenes of them shooting guns and running around sweltering South African locations. Dramatic potential isn't a priority, only explosions and simple exchanges between hot-headed types. Any push towards nobility is ridiculous, with this script unprepared to address the realness of war and all the chaos it attracts. "Mercenary Fighters" is best appreciated as a brainless distraction, with Cannon Films happy to reheat their formula for another round of violent entertainment.