Striking Range (2006)

User Rating:

4.2/10   

Director:

Daniel Millican

Writer:

Daniel Millican (writer)

Genre:

Action | Thriller

Tagline:

Trust no one.

Plot:

When millionaire businessman Ted Billings (Glenn Morshower) double-crosses his partners in a weapons deal...

Plot Keywords:

Stabbed To Death | Betrayal | Shot In The Shoulder | Disease | Bodyguard

Cast

Lou Diamond Phillips	...	Eugene "Vash" Vasher
Yancy Butler	...	Emily Johanson
Tom Wright	...	John Hatem
Glenn Morshower	...	Ted Billings
Scarlett McAlister	...	Mabe
Steve Krieger	...	Tave Boneffer
Jeff Speakman	...	Kilmer
Troy Baker	...	Brice Billings
Jeff Rodgers	...	Bob
Daniel Millican	...	Judd
Lisa Palmer	...	Sharon Careington
San Banarje	...	Latin Mafia Leader
Gary Head	...	Security Guard
Scott Roland	...	Clynt
Angel Munoz	...	Faculty Director

Also Known As:

Bloodlines (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for violence.

Runtime:

96 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA (2007)

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

Serendipitous Films Inc.

Trivia:

Tave, played by Steve Krieger, was also the SFX Coordinator and is best friends in real life with Clynt who he kills in the film, played by Scott Roland who was also the Stunt Coordinator.

Quotes:

Kilmer: Yeah, sorry. No ID, no appointment. I'm just here to kidnap and torture Billings to get some information.

Movie Connections:

References The Madness of King George (1994)

Soundtrack:

Sanctuary

Bang!

STRIKING RANGE delivers what it promises, a shoot 'em up action flick packed with twists and exit wound gore. Lou Diamond Phillips gives a committed performance as a cash strapped gun for hire with a moral code that includes never challenging the US Government and never taking a bullet for a client (which is a good thing since most of his assignments appear to be protecting shady businessmen).

In STRIKING RANGE, Phillips and his three-person crew are charged with bodyguarding a "next generation" weapons maker who turns out to be an unscrupulous dealer who has no compunction against selling to the highest bidder. Naturally, squinty-eyed rogues, led by martial artist/actor Jeff Speakman, demand the latest weapons gizmo with a five-finger discount. This is where Team Phillips steps up to the challenge. However, a mysterious third party throws a hat into the ring putting the executive protection crew in a circle of crosshairs and ballistic mayhem.

The movie is a lot of fun, but by no means perfect. The opening sequence is a head scratcher as Phillips and his crew (including an excellent Tom Wright) casually banter about video games as they go on a search and destroy mission in an office building. The scene feels contrived and woefully unrealistic as we're asked to believe these guys need to alleviate boredom in the midst of a hostage rescue. And I'm still wondering what happened to Sharon, the poor executive they intentionally shoot to get the Bad Guy standing behind her. Quibbles aside, the low budget film looks great, shot in 35MM with fluid Steadicam moves, we also get nifty pyrotechnics, and a NRA member's wet dream in a variety of firearms. Thespians are first rate, giving us raw emotion in a scene where Phillips and Wright nearly come to blows as they argue about their failing executive protection business. Music cues nostalgically evoke 80's TV show "Miami Vice" at its highlight.

STRIKING RANGE doesn't offer anything new, but it gets its job done and it certainly gets a lot of bang for the buck.