Unassuming Delights
by
Some unassuming part of me responds to trashy, B grade cinema. Matthias Hues, a man best known for his height of 6’5’’ than his acting ability, made a slew of David vs. Goliath type pictures, including Digital Man.
When terrorists steal missile launch codes, an experimental counterterrorism unit is dispatched. The D1 prototype or Digital Man (Hues) can withstand significant injury and his supergun carries enough firepower to level a small country. However, somebody at home base disrupts his mission at the point of extraction. Left to wander the isolated town of Badwater, he eventually switches from his harmless “civilian” mode to “combat” readiness.
How many times have I seen Digital Man? More than I’d care to admit. This science-fiction thriller reduced me to tears of laughter. It’s admirable how the dialogue reveals the stupidity of certain characters. For instance, Billy Bates (Don Swayze, brother of Patrick) reacts to one explosion by firing his handgun and yelling “I got him!”
I believe a light-hearted approach works when scanning Digital Man. After all, this genre flick adds character and humour where it counts. During the opening scene, General Roberts (Ed Lauter) turns to Dr. Parker (Paul Gleason). Crucially, both men share that look of “Are we (the audience) really buying this?” I certainly did. (Capsule review.)
(Released by Republic Pictures and rated "R" by MPAA.)