Firewalker

Released by: Olive Films
Released on: April 21st, 2015.
Director: J. Lee Thompson
Cast: Chuck Norris, Louis Gossett Jr., Melody Anderson, Sonny Landham
Year: 1986
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The Movie:

Directed for Cannon Films by J. Lee Thompson, Firewalker stars Chuck Norris as an adventurer for hire named Max Donigan. He and his partner, Leo Porter (Louis Gossett Jr.), are lamenting their lack of financial success in a dive bar one day when a beautiful blonde woman named Patricia Goodwin (Melody Anderson) approaches them with an offer: she's got a treasure map and needs two men to help her find the loot. If they can pull it off, they'll split the reward. Without knowing anymore they agree… after all, the bartender vouched for her.

And so with that, our trio of treasure hunters head into the brush to find the treasure. Things get off to a decent enough start when the map brings them to a hidden cave where Max finds a golden ceremonial dagger, but they all know that there's more booty to be plundered than just that single piece. In need of more information they consult with a safe old Native American named Tall Eagle (Will Sampson), bribing him with a bottle of whiskey and interrupting his I Love Lucy marathon viewing session. When they have what they need (and are warned of a 'firewalker'!) they head back out to keep looking, unaware that the sinister El Coyote (Sonny Landham) is watching and waiting with evil intentions…

Firewalker is fun. No more, no less, just seriously fun entertainment that's pretty much suitable for the entire family. The humor is constant and more often than not pretty effective and the action easily stays within the confines of the film's PG rating. Those expecting the strong violence of some of Norris' other outings with Cannon Films might be disappointed in that regard, but the movie makes up for it with some clever one liners, nicely decorated sets and costumes and a real sense of camaraderie throughout the picture.

If Chuck Norris doesn't exactly have the range of, say, Sir Laurence Olivier he handles this material well. Delivering some seriously silly lines with a very dry sense of humor and he Louis Gossett Jr. basically play your typical 'buddy cop' duo, albeit in a different and more exotic environment. Running gags, like their being chased by an angry Chinese general (Richard Lee-Sung), help to hold our attention while the back and forth between the two men affords Robert Gosnell's screenplay ample opportunity for amusing quipping, bickering and bantering. The two action movie stars do fine work here and Melody Anderson fits right in. None of our trio is going to break records on an IQ test anytime soon but they have an enjoyable chemistry together, enough so that when they delightfully evil Landham gives chase we want them to win the day and make it out not only alive, but with the treasure.

Thompson's direction isn't flashy here but his workmanlike style is entirely appropriate to the material at hand. The movie is well paced and engaging and ílex Phillips Jr.'s cinematography does a nice job of capturing the different locations. Throw in an appropriately adventurous sounding score from Gary Chang (fresh off of 52-Pick Up!) and this is one that comes together nicely.

Video/Audio/Extras:

Olive Films gives Firewalker its Blu-ray debut in a nice AVC encoded 1080p high definition transfer framed at 1.85.1 widescreen. Detail and texture are definitely advanced over previous presentations not only in close up shots where you'd no doubt expect it but in medium and long distance shots as well, where the grit of various locations comes into play visually speaking. Grain is present throughout but never overpowering or distracting while black levels look good. Minor print damage shows up here and there throughout the movie but it's never more than small specks and such. Skin tones seem accurate and colors are nicely reproduced. No noise reduction or edge enhancement is ever noticeable, this is a nice picture.

The only audio option on the disc is an English language DTS-HD 2.0 Stereo track and it sounds pretty solid. Clarity is good while hiss and distortion are non-issues throughout playback. The score and effects, gun shots in particular, have good presence. No problems to report here, this no frills mix gets the job done quite nicely.

There are no extras on the disc, just a static menu offering chapter selection.

The Final Word:

Firewalker is good clean fun, a family friendly adventure film that does a nice job of mixing up action and comedy performed by a cast of actors who really do seem to be enjoying themselves. Olive's Blu-ray release might be barebones, but it does offer a nice upgrade over the previous DVD release in both the audio and video departments.

Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!