the Hidden (1987)

[lester1/2jr]

     This is definately one of the better low budget action movies of the early eighties,  not as great as "Vice Squad" but up there.  the opening car chase alone makes it worth seeing.  All movies should begin with car chases.  seriously, the first 15 minutes of most movies are garbage.   just have some fighting or nudity and explain the plot like they did in silent movies with a little summary you can read.    Anyway,  a bigger budget definately would have smoothed out a few technical edges but it's got a likeable cast a solid if simple plot and lots of violence.  like some of chuck norris's movies, it's not a masterpiece but it gives you what you want and is pretty darn entertaining if you are looking for that late night 80's vibe.  infrequent but excellent gross out sci fi special effects as well


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bAJwq7fYoqQ

[Neville]

Chuck Norris wouldn't even dream about doing anything as good as this film. Yep, it's one of the best 80 action - SF movies, IMHO it even surpasses "Terminator" on many things. It has some rough edges, yes, like final act that feels just a tad too mechanical, but the rest is top notch, from the dreamy, almost peaceful B/W images of that security cam that open the film to the heart-stopping car chases and shootouts, or the playful interchanges of the two main actors (remember when Kyle Machlachlan says he can read minds? Classic). And the implausibly over the top action moments even have a justification, because--

Well, rent it, for God's sake. You won't regret.

[Shadow]

I'll remember it most for a pre-Babylon 5 Claudia Christian as an exotic dancer.

[JJ80]

I saw this movie recently and throughly enjoyed it. The police action adventure and sci-fi elements were well blended together with the aliens grandiose evil scheme being nicely unravelled throughout the plot. It did start well with the epic car chase and most of the action scenes were top notch, especially the shootout in the police cells. Nouri and McLaughlin were both very good in their parts. I actually thought that the ending was quite touching, providing a nice counterpoint to the blood and thunder action of the rest of the movie.

[lester1/2jr]

the comprison to norris was meant as a compliment!!


it's far better than most could deliver on a smaller budget,  but the writing was not as good as, say, steven king.  and the directing wasn't as good as , say, james cameron.  I mean,  why would they have put this guy who just went on a two week killing spree in a random hospital bed next to some old guy?  it lacked taste and mastery in some places.  but again, it is really good!

[Psycho Circus]

I like the Hidden, although the sequel is a must, much better than the first film. 

[Neville]

Are you kidding? I saw the sequel on TV a few years ago, thought it was a travesty and that the only worthy minutes were the opening credits... which run over footage from the original.

You are entitled to your opinion, sure, but I really can't imagine why anyone would prefer the sequel over the original.

[Torgo]

I like the Hidden, although the sequel is a must, much better than the first film. 

I really hope that you're joking..................

[Psycho Circus]

I like the Hidden, although the sequel is a must, much better than the first film. 

I really hope that you're joking..................

No, I can honestly say that I really like Hidden 2 

[trekgeezer]

I loved the middle age white guy with the ghetto blaster.

Was this Mclaughlin's first movie after Dune?

[Neville]

I'm not sure. I thnk "Blue velvet" came first.

[Jack]

That movie was a blast.  The car chase stuff at the beginning - now that's the way to start a movie!  I also vividly remember Claudia Christian getting used to her female body    The sequel, meh, I never made it past the footage from the first movie I'm afraid. 

[odinn7]

"I want that car."

"I need the keys."

This was a great film (and still is). I saw it in the theaters at least twice, though I think it was actually 3 times. The action was top notch, the story passable, acting was ok, special effects were great. Definitely worth seeing.