Like most action stars toiling in the overcrowded direct-to-vid vineyards, Olivier Gruner is at the mercy of his script choices. MERCENARY offers only stereotypical characters, tiresomely familiar situations, and a pointless series of anticlimaxes padding its second half. The film
premiered on HBO and was released to home video shortly thereafter.
At a party thrown by billionaire Jonas Ambler (John Ritter), a controversial writer, a team of paid assassins headed by Phoenix (Martin Kove) attacks and kills several people, including Ambler's wife. On the advice of his security chief Cochran (Ed Lauter) and financial advisor Alan Bailey
(Michael Zelniker), Ambler d...
Released:
1997
Rated:
R
Length:
102 mins