Fit to Kill (1993)

This Movie Can Only Be Described With One Word.

A Disappointing Continuation

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.

Chinese businessman Chang (well played by Aki Aleong) owns the fabulous Alexa diamond, which he plans on giving back to Russia. However, cunning criminal mastermind Kane (smoothly essayed by Geoffrey Moore) steals said diamond. It's up to a crack team of federal agents to retrieve the diamond before a major international war breaks out. Writer/director Andy Sidaris once more delivers yet another blithely silly'n'trashy cinematic cocktail of plentiful tasty female nudity, sizzling soft-core sex scenes, an musing sense of self-mocking goofy humor, cool gadgets, huge splashy explosions, globe trotting locations, and maladroitly staged action set pieces. Moreover, Sidaris even tosses in a gloriously surreal and ridiculous sub-James Bond dream sequence just for the hell of it. The usual array of lovely ladies adds immensely to the considerable entertainment value: busty blonde Dona Speir as the feisty Donna Hamilton, yummy brunette Roberta Casquez as Donna's sassy partner Nicole Justin, delectable redhead Cynthia Brimhall as sultry singer Edy Stark, the luscious Ava Cadell as sexy-voi9ced disc jockey Ava, and, best of all, the impossibly statuesque Julie Strain as lethal assassin Blu Steele, who gets a great introduction scene working out in a skimpy swimsuit. Sidaris film regular Rodrigo Obregon has a refreshing change of pace goody guy role as suave Russian envoy Mikael Pekov, Bruce Penhall contributes an engaging turn as affable hunk Bruce Christian, and Tony Peck does well as no-nonsense superior Lucas. Mark Morris' bright cinematography gives the picture a pleasing sunny look. Richard Lyons' funky-bouncy score keeps things bouncing along. A total blast.

"Fit To Kill" follows the well-established by that point Andy Sidaris formula, which includes gorgeous female special agents in bikinis and other revealing outfits blowing away bad guys and having sex with their hunky male partners, beautiful exotic locations well-captured by the camera, and a tongue-in-cheek tone despite all the mayhem. However, Sidaris had achieved better balance between action and soft-core porn in previous films (like "Savage Beach"); here, the script is too meandering, and there are two dimwitted hit men that are meant to be funny but don't really succeed. What gives this movie an extra kick is definitely the presence of Julie Strain (as a smooth assassin), in her first of many collaborations with Sidaris. Her introduction, which has her flexing and stretching her Amazonian body, must be one of the most memorable scenes in the director's filmography - the lighting and music in that scene are incredible! Unfortunately, the movie doesn't have a climactic hand-to-hand fight between her and Dona Speir - IMO, an unforgivable mistake on Sidaris' part. (**1/2)

Well, at first I thought this movie was kind of lame. Then! However, the new young actress Naida Albright graced the screen and I was stunned! She was magnificent! Purely gold. Totally made the movie for me. Until she died. Then it sucked again.

I was unsure whether or not Andy Sidaris could repeat his success with the cinematic hit "Malibu Express." With his film Fit to Kill he has proved that Sidaris is a serious filmmaker and not just a one-shot director. The plot written by Sidaris, which was ungratefully passed up by the Academy, is a complex screenplay involving many unseen twists and turns. The main characters composed work for a sexually based radio station known as KSXY. Cleverly, KSXY is actually their secret headquarters. In "Fit to Kill" they confront their long-time nemesis Kane, who is trying to steal one of Russia's most prized diamonds. A well-written screenplay is not all, excellent acting by the cast helps to ensure this film as a cult classic. Panned by the critics and the box office, this film will be appreciated in years to come. It is now suffering the same fate as Clockwork Orange and Taxi Driver did, but in the future will undoubtly become recognized. I am disappointed no critic circles have recognized Andy Sidaris's trademark filmmaking. The costumes, the special effects, all help to compliment this already beautiful piece of filmmaking. It may do you best to ignore the dismal 3 rating on this film and go out and rent it for yourself. My personal rating is 10/10. The drama is as thick as the blockbuster Runaway Bride, and the action better or equal to the cinematic masterpiece Last Action Hero. Andy, keep up the good work.