Dollman

Dollman

(1991)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101751/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dollman

Alternate Title

Microcop

Staring Tim Thomerson

Jackie Earle Haley

Kamala Lopez

Directed by Albert Pyun

“Did I tell you to tell everyone in the neighbourhood I have a spaceman in the house?”

Albert Pyn has made around 50 schlocky movies to date. Including an unofficial sequel to “Masters of the Universe”, the sequel to “Kickboxer”, the “Nemesis” series, and the cult classic “The Sword and the Sorcerer.” He is responsible for the late 80's action movie “Cyborg” (which is the unofficial sequel to "Masters of Universe" I already mentioned) which helped launch “Jean-Claude Van Damn” as an action commodity. People like to compare his film making abilities to everyone from “Ed Wood” to “Jean-Luc Godard”. Personally I like to compare him to one of my favourite French directors “Jean Rollin” for his ability to constantly twist genre rules and to mold several genres together, though unlike Rollin he has been restrained by studios throughout most of his career.

Like or hate Pyun's films he has managed to make his movies despite having problems with finances, problems with actors, problems with studio interference, and the list continues. Sure his movies range from B-Grade to Z-Grade and the scripts range from confusing to manic, but Pyun does have an artists eye and a range of creative energy that is admirable. In many ways Dollman is the typical Pyun film, feeling both familiar and different at the same time.

First thing you notice about Dollman is that the movie stars B-movie comedic action staple Tim Thomerson and Pre-Rorschach Jackie Earle Haley. So on acting alone there's some weight behind it.

The Planet Arturos is the typical late 80's, early 90's science fiction hell hole. There Detective Brick Bardo (Thomerson) is your local Clint Eastwood impersonator, who is known by his cocky strut and ability to get the job down at any cost. He even carries what one kid excitingly calls the “most powerful gun in the universe.” He seems to be at odds with the powers that be, even after he saves some hostages by threatening to blow a hole right through some “fat lady”. It's hard to explain, but that scene will give you some laughs. He then squares off with his nemesis - a severed head on a hoverboard (I'm not joking). The resulting chase sends him into our dimension, more specifically Hollywood's idealization of the Bronx – where everyone is either a drug dealer, or a drug using prostitute. There we meet Kamala Lopez's character, who is at odds with the local scumbags. She organizes the Neighborhood Watch and even goes as far as kicking and throwing rocks whenever she sees someone sporting a urine stained leather jacket.

Despite playing a poorly written character Lopez is really good here. Even when she has to play the damsel in distress she never appears weak. It's a fresh departure from the damsels which commonly inhabit these roles.

She eventually comes at odds with one of the leaders of local gangs headed by Jackie Earl, who is sporting the best mullet he's ever had. Bardo comes to her aid and takes down a few of his men. This local gang then teams up with the severed head, who has also traveled into our dimension, and vows revenge.

Here comes the fun part. Apparently there is a size difference between Earth and Arturos. Although Bardo appears to be human... he's 11 inches tall. In fact one of his first sentences when arriving to earth is “the place is full of giants. I hate giants.” The whole movie is played for fun in that way. A tough detective from the future, who's the size of a Ken Doll, cleans up the streets of New York with the most powerful gun in the universe, which happens to be the size of half a toothpick.

This review might give you the impression this movie is funny, but its more fun then funny, or at least the first hour is. The climax and the showdown do seem to drag as nothing happens for a little while, other then Jacky Earl babbling nonsense, which I admit in itself is kind of entertaining. There is practically no conclusion to the movie and a subplot about trying to repair his ship with the help of two boys is never even hinted at after it is abandoned.

However the movie itself is only 80 minutes long, and over five of those minutes is dedicated to a music montage of stills of the characters, which isn't so bad since the music is cheesy, synthesized, science fiction entertainment.

If any movie screams for a VHS rerelease it's this one. It just doesn't feel right watching this on DVD. Plus the transfer from the original stock is not of the best quality.

Snotty movie goings, or people more accustomed to summer blockbusters will be turned off by Dollman due to it's horrible effects, writing that goes no where and the obvious budget restraints. If you could look over these restraints you will find a movie full of good creativity, wild energy and solid acting.

Dollman represents point of view, a microcosm of a larger world. A world which is corrupt, dark and violent. A world which we may feel we are struggling against and on the losing end. We feel like we're miniatures in this struggle, but as Bardo at least hints at it's not if you lose but if you quit.

The writer Charles Band (creator the Puppet Master series) made a sequel called Dollman vs the Demonic Toys. I haven't seen it.