Woodyanders Review of Thunder

Thunder (1983)

An immensely entertaining Italian rip-off of "First Blood"

[8/10 · 20 November 2007]

Noble Native American Thunder (likable Mark Gregory; Trash in "1990: The Bronx Warriors") returns to his small desert home town only to discover that an ancient Indian burial ground is being demolished by construction workers. Thunder tries to stop them to no avail. He gets beat up and run out of town but returns to further stir things up. Next thing you know Thunder is on the lam and being doggedly hunted in the wilderness by a posse led by hard-nosed Sheriff Bill Cook (the always fine Bo Svenson). Sound familiar? Yep, this low-budget Italian movie blatantly copies the superior Sylvestor Stallone vehicle "First Blood." Fortunately, director/co-writer Fabrizio De Angelis compensates for the dearth of originality by expertly maintaining a ceaseless breakneck pace throughout. Moreover, De Angelis stages the plentiful action scenes with rip-roaring brio (a wild car chase rates as the definite exciting highlight). Sergio Salvati's handsome, expansive cinematography, Francesco De Masi's rousing, tuneful, majestic score, the occasional snazzy use of strenuous slow motion, and the breathtaking Monument Valley locations are all up to speed. Nice supporting turns by Raimund Harmstorf as the jerky, antagonistic Deputy Barry Henson, Antonio Sabato as the zealously wicked troublemaker Thomas, Valeria Ross as the feisty Sheila, Paolo Malco as pesky TV reporter Brain Sherman, and Michele Mirabella as groovy disc jockey Dancing Crow. While it's no classic, this fast'n'furious little Grade B action item still makes the grade as a fun and thrilling flick all the same.