Army Of One aka Joshua Tree – or as I like to refer to it as, the movie Stallone or Schwarzenegger wish they made. Meaning, I could easily have seen this being a big blockbuster, it should have been as it epitomizes everything we love about that bygone era of action cinema.
This movie has everything going for it, not just the action as we expect – but the characters and an above average story that I had fond memories of watching it growing up. After finding the DVD and watching a couple times through, I can say it still holds up in every aspect.
Dolph Lundgren As An Ultimte Lead.
Lets start with the story – Lundgren and his friend played by Ken Foree (Dawn of the Dead) are driving a big rig truck containing cargo that we don’t find out about until the later parts of the movie. They are pulled over by a cop and we don’t see everything that goes on, but another car pulls up and Brown ends up getting killed and Lundgren getting framed for his murder. Nine months later, Lundgren manages to escape and goes on the run in what turns the movie into an epic road trio adventure that only Dolph could lead us on. He comes across this rest stop where he first runs into Kristian Alfonso – who had just broken up with her cop boyfriend (Matt Battaglia of Universal Soldier 2 & 3) minutes before. Anyway, Lundgren ends up kidnapping her and stealing her truck.RELATED:
Joshua Tree (1993) Biography, Plot, Title Change, Fight.
Over The Top Character Actors.
Now, of course I have to bring up the other end of things – the authorities that are after him. Led by the great colorful, over the top character actor George Segal (Look Who’s Talking/TVs The Goldbergs). His mustache steals the spotlight here. Also included in this great cast is Geoffrey Lewis (Double Impact), Beau Starr (The Perfect Weapon/Halloween 4 & 5), Bert Remsen (Code Of Silence), Michael Paul Chan (Rapid Fire) and Michelle Phillips, probably best known as the singer for the iconic pop group Mamas & The Papas. There is plenty of action and excitement throughout. As Alfonso’s character, we find out she can handle herself as well, displaying some surprising moves, even on Dolph. Leading him to ask her, what else do you like to do in your spare time, other than kung fu?! She throws some pretty nice kicks in a couple of scenes. It always helps when the chemistry is natural and believable with the two leads and it certainly is here.