Beloved B-Movie impresario Ulli Lommel had a terrific run in the 80s with his independently produced, highly regarded cult classics, the iconic 'Bogeyman' and one of his most atmospheric works of celluloid terror 'The Devonsville Terror' are both well documented, but how often do far out film fans get to hear about his street tough, hard-nosed, knuckle-bustin' Yakuza action fest 'Overkill'?
With maverick, mustachioed undercover cop Mickey Delano (Steve Ralley) losing his partner in a grisly gangland shoot-out, he is now doubly convinced that there will soon be a major increase in Yakuza-fronted crime in the sunshine state, and as the macho man said; 'He was born in California and he's gonna defend it!!!!!' Hellz yeah!!!! And limber, sleek-chested Delano 'aint kiddin' around folks! Soon the dutiful, hard bodied detective Delano unpleasantly discovers just how deeply the organized crime corruption has spread in his beloved Los Angeles, and with bullet-ridden bodies stinking up the sweltering sidewalks of Little Tokyo like spoiled garbage it's down to courageous, frequently shirtless, infrequently cautious Delano and new Japanese detective partner Akashi (John Nishio) to administer some serious street-level justice to the increasingly lawless Yakuza, since they are not afraid of death, only the 'way' of death, these two vengeance-seeking cops have to get a little medieval to gain some hard earned respect.
Maestro movie maven Ulli Lommel's violent gangster thriller is certainly aptly named as the blood-soaked, pathos packed, Samurai Sword slashing finale is one for 80s VHS action hounds to savour! Time to say 'Sayonara' to B-Movie boredom and lovingly embrace the outrageous oriental murder madness of Lommel's anything but lackluster 'Overkill'. Keeping this dirigible of death afloat is the delightfully animated electronic score by composer Bill Roebuck & Robert J. Walsh. Hey!!!! The only hackwork here is the unerring savagery of righteous dude Akashi's limb-lopping Samurai sword! Right on!
