Cobra (1986)

Cobra (R) - Review

"Send a Maniac"

A "zombie squad" cop must track down a cult of psychopathic killers and their leader before they strike down the only beautiful witness alive in this violently commercial respinning of Dirty Harry politics for the 1980s.  Starring (and adapted from a novel by) Sylvester Stallone, the film sprouts more dumb one liners and obvious product placements than a half dozen other 1980s action flicks, yet there is a ignoramus bravado that is hard not to admire.  Stallone's Mario Cobretti is the prototype he strived to achieve in all subsequent films;  tough guy, sunglasses, cool car, heart of gold and ruthlessly violent.

This slice of golden cheese is as pure American popular filmmaking as only an Italian Director like George Cosmatos (Rambo 2) could have pieced together.  Brigitte Nielsen (Red Sonja) stars as the witness/love interest/robot fashion model, and if you find that hard to swallow just drive down to the supermarket in your 52 Coupe, snatch a beer off the shelf and down it while defusing a shotgun wielding maniac in a hostage situation.

7 Cutting Pizza with Scissors out of 10 (GOOD)