The Peacekeeper (1997)

Mass destruction just met its match. When a madman targets the U.S. for nuclear annihilation, there's only one man who's got what it takes to wipe him out. Action superstar Dolph Lundgren lays down the law with fists flying and guns blazing in an explosive, pulse-pounding race against time, technology and terror. "The Peacekeeper" promises intense suspense, spectacular stunts, awesome firepower, and a level of rabid excitement that will blow you away! Roy Scheider, Montel Williams, Allen Altman, Christopher Heyerdahl, Dolph Lundgren, Michael Sarrazin.

Dolph & His Little Black Bag

I've been a fan of Mr. Lundgren for some time now, but no amount of devotion or admiration can effectively quell my dislike for Dolph's 16th feature film, "The Peacekeeper". I don't know whether or not it was DTV or theatrically-released, but even the former assumption can't make up for just how mediocre this movie was. The fact that it seems to have been made under less-than-great circumstances (budget and film time were supposedly cut, and Dolph hurt his back before all the scenes could be shot) really shows, and it's with no small amount of disappointment that I give this one over to oblivion.

In the film, Lundgren is Frank Cross: a major in the military who's earned a reputation for flying illegal humanitarian missions. The only assignment left to him is to guard the president's (Roy Scheider, "All That Jazz") "black bag" - a briefcase containing the computer to launch America's nuclear arsenal. A gang of mercenaries led by a vengeful ex-marine (Michael Sarrazin, "The City") steal the bag in order to unleash a nuclear holocaust on the nation, but unbeknownst to them, Cross remains on their trail.

"Peacekeeper" is a "Die Hard" rip-off, but it retains virtually none of the latter's merits, whether it comes to action, plot progression, or characters. Basically, the only noteworthy scene in the film is the rooftop car chase, which is nifty, but besides that, it's all nonsense: when mercenaries shoot an armour-wearing Dolph with .40 pistols, he sells it as though he's been hit by a wrecking ball; the fellow who chokes to death in the contaminated facility does so looking like he smelled a fart; and the climatic hand-to-hand fight between Lundgren and a henchmen is by far one of the sorriest scenes I've ever witnessed.

There's nothing really great about any of the acting, but the script calls for dumb things of the performers...like the president agreeing to shoot himself on-air. Or the mercenary commander trying to be intimidating. Or the terrorists blowing up Mt. Rushmore. Essentially, the second half of the movie becomes a waiting game of watching missiles blow things up, and at that point, I think most folks will lose attention. Not unlike Steven Seagal's "Under Siege", it turns into the cliché of the terrorist being rightfully angry about something but being thwarted by the more-righteous hero...but by then, I don't know if anybody will be awake enough to comprehend this.

To date, "The Peacekeeper" is the worst Lundgren film that I have ever seen, and I'm sorry to know that he can sink this low. Only devoted fans will find anything to like in here, and since I haven't seen it in any video stores yet, it will only be the personal libraries of these fans that you are sure to find this definitive stinker. June 4, 2008

Like watching paint dry

You can only suspend your disbelief so much. This movie asks you to throw logic out the window to watch action scenes that are mediocre at best.

Sorry - you will have more fun watching Paint Dry than enjoying this POS movie. Skip it - you will be happier you did. March 9, 2006

The Peacekeeper

ONe on Dolphs better movies...great action seensas usual...Montel williams ruins the movie...can't act for save his life...Great to add to collection of Lungren movies. July 5, 2005

Not Dolph's fault

I read some where that Dolph had said something along the lines that they had run out of money and had only half a day or so to film the martial art scenes for the movie. Its hard to criticise Dolph for this one. The script is not very good to start with and Dolph is given very little to try and work with. The second half of this movie which suffers from badly staged action pieces, does not live up to the well staged and enjoyable first half. The plot is an obvious Under Siege rip-off. This one is watchable but Dolph has done better before and in later movies after this one. A better script and more attention to the action set pieces and this could of been a winner. October 16, 2004

FANTASTIC MOVIE

OK DOLPH LUNDGREN ALWAYS CHOOSES DIRECT TO VIDEO FLICKS BUT THATS OK BECAUSE LETS FACE IT HE CAN ACT NOW THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE THIS IS ONE OF HIS BEST November 20, 2003

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