Plot: What’s it about?
Shep Ramsey (Hulk Hogan) is a skilled warrior known all across the galaxy, as he fights evil and battles on the side of the good & just. But when a clash with his most dangerous foe leaves his ship damaged, he is forced to land on Earth. After some time, his craft will be recharged and as good as new, but in the meanwhile, he’ll have to adjust to life on this planet. That might be easier said than done, since he winds up in the suburbs and since he’s used to a life of excitement & danger, his new surroundings leave him cold. Even in this realm however, he is able to do some good and takes aim on various bad folks. Instead of space pirates or the like, he goes head to head with rude paperboys, inconsiderate drivers, and of course, the usual small time crooks. Shep has taken residence in a bungalow owned by mild mannered Charlie Wilcox (Christopher Lloyd), who lives with his wife Jenny (Shelley Duvall) and their two children. In addition to tension present in the neighborhood because of Shep’s odd behavior, the suburbs are thrown into chaos when the threat of Shep’s foe’s arrival looms over the cul-de-sac.
This is one of those movies I know is bad by normal cinema standards, but I still manage to wind up watching it whenever it shows up on cable. I mean, you have to know this is not a golden era classic when Hulk Hogan has the central role, but for some reason, Suburban Commando never fails to entertain me. I wouldn’t say it is wildly entertaining or hilarious, but it makes the time go by fast and it has ample humorous moments. Hogan gives his usual performance, which means he pretty much plays himself, but he has a nice surrounding cast this time, to be sure. Such names as Christopher Lloyd, Larry Miller, and Shelley Duvall are involved, as is fellow professional wrestler The Undertaker, though his role is a smaller one. The premise is a decent one for a family film, with some nice twists & turns, but the storyline is thin and the characters rather weak, so just expect a light, fun experience here and little else. So if you’re after high art, then Suburban Commando isn’t your cup of tea, but for a harmless session of family friendly cinema, I more than recommend this release, though it helps to be a fan of Hogan’s persona, of course.
As we all know, Hulk Hogan revolutionized professional wrestling and became a true icon, but when he tried his hand in cinema, the results were less than impressive. He has had a couple of memorable roles however, including a line of mildly successful family aimed pictures, such as this one, Suburban Commando. Of course, critics lambasted this one like they did the others, but it found a small audience, so it wasn’t a total loss. Hogan is able to play his role well, though it is by no means a tough one and was obviously created for him to step into. Even so, his effort here is solid for the realm of family cinema and given his previous works, I am surprised he is as good as he is here, to be honest. But kids and fans of his wrestling career should enjoy his work here, as he is pretty much just plays Hulk Hogan, with some small alterations. Other films with Hogan include Rocky II, Mr. Nanny, No Holds Barred, and Shadow Warriors. The cast also includes Christopher Lloyd (The Addams Family, My Favorite Martian), Shelley Duvall (The Shining, Rocket Man), and Larry Miller (Max Keeble’s Big Move, Pretty Woman).
Video: How does it look?
Suburban Commando is presented in a 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen transfer, with a full frame edition also included on this dual layered disc. As usual, New Line is able to deliver a sharp and impressive visual effort, but this falls short of their top level output. This is due to the material however, as this movie simply lacks the visual spark to shine, though the basics are well covered and fans should be most pleased. A few nicks are presented on the print, but aside from that, the materials have held up well and show minimal defects. I found the colors to be warm and error free, flesh tones consistent and natural, and of course, black levels appear refined and well balanced at all times, a more than solid visual treatment.
Audio: How does it sound?
The included Dolby Digital 5.1 track is more than solid, but don’t expect much beyond the basics here. The front channels are always active, with good separation and movement, including of course, crisp & clean dialogue at all times. I found the sound effects to be well presented, though they don’t have quite the impact I had expected at times. As far as surround use, you won’t find much here outside of the musical soundtrack and a few assorted background elements, but don’t worry, the lack of surround presence isn’t missed much. This disc also includes a 2.0 surround option, as well as English subtitles.
Supplements: What are the extras?
This disc includes the film’s theatrical trailer.
