Slightly more seriously toned and classier film than Mattei's other 1987 RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II knockoff STRIKE COMMANDO, DOUBLE TARGET suffers from a slow pace, bizarre use of footage from other movies, and O'Keeffe's far more subtle approach to the subject matter. Furthermore, Bo Svenson's casting as a Russian bad guy couldn't be much more off-target if he tried... or off-DOUBLE-target for that matter. Svenson doesn't even try a Russian accent and seems to be putting even less effort into his role than Harrison Ford into any movie after 1993.

Perhaps it's just that I came in with expectations rendered ultra-low after having seen STRIKE COMMANDO and ROBOWAR prior to this film, but I was shocked at this film's relative professionalism. The cinematography and musical score both rank a cut above most of Mattei's films from the same period. I have to give special props to Stefano Mainetti, at the time a newcomer to the field of film composing. Some of his tracks for this film feel much more sweeping and orchestral than one would expect for an 80's score accomplished largely on a Casio keyboard. While not exactly Vangelis quality, it gives the film a character of its own.

Furthermore we get a fun supporting cast including Ottaviano Dell'Acqua, Massimo Vanni, Mike Monty, Donald Pleasance (albeit in a completely forgettable cameo), and Luciano Pigozzi. They all look to be having a good time and the lush jungle scenery and exploding hut action ranks among the best of the dubious Italian-Filipino action subgenre. As far as Bruno Mattei schlock knockoff films go, it may be one of the only times he seemed to take himself semi-seriously and with decidedly mixed results. So, if you're like me and go in with low expectations, you may find yourself (Donald) Pleasantly surprised.

Double Target is an Italian war action film directed by Bruno Mattei. It stars Miles O'Keefe, Bo Svenson, Donald Pleasence, Kristine Erlandson, Luciano Pigozzi and Massimo Vanni. It tells the story of Bob Ross, an ex-military specialist in Vietnam who is trying to gain custody of his son from the Vietnamese government after learning his wife died in a concentration camp. Unknown to him, there are others watching who believe he's a spy for the American government. Ross makes a deal with the state department to gather information on their behalf. If Ross is successful in his mission, he'll be able to claim his son and take him back to the United States.

Shot mainly on location in the Philippines, Double Target isn't a very well-conceived war film but an entertaining one nonetheless. As with many films directed by Bruno Mattei, there are plenty of big explosions and gun play to keep things going. The plot and dialog are rather half heartedly conceived. The performances range from average to somewhat okay. What stands out the most is Bo Svenson's Russian accent often switching between a Russian and American one, making difficult to tell whether or not he is one or the other.

The characters aren't really given much of a backstory, the only thing made clear about them is their purpose in the overall plot. Otherwise you don't really get to know much about them. Although the character of Toro is mildly likable. Overall, it's not well thought out but still entertaining.

You know, if John Rambo hadn't gone back to Vietnam and gotten the chance to win that time, we wouldn't be blessed with an entire video store section of films from around the world. Rambosploitation?

My mother told me that after he came home from working late in the mill, my grandfather would watch war movies at ear-shattering volumes, loudly laughing and enjoying himself while the entire family would be awakened by the cinematic combat echoing through the paper-thin walls.

Forty or so years later, I realize that I have inherited his vice.

After several American and British military personnel are killed in suicide attacks throughout southeast Asia, the U. S. government starts thinking that perhaps - just perhaps - the Vietnamese government isn't the ally they thought they were.

There's only one man to call when you need the truth.

Bob Ross.

No, not that Bob Ross. I'm talking Miles O'Keefe, the very same man who was Ator, now transplanted to the ninth circle of Southeast Asia, seeking the son he has never known, going up against the most sinister of all Russians and backed up by exactly no one.

Seeing as how this is a Bruno Mattei film, you just know that all manner of absolute celluloid cutting and pasting is going to happen. Well, it goes both ways, because Mr. Mattei was an early adopter of recycling, doing his part to keep his scummy cinema carbon footprint small. That shark that shows up? Yep, it's taken directly from The Last Shark. And since he went to the trouble to lens all this jungle footage, it also shows up in Cop Game, Robowar and Shocking Dark, while the musical score ends up coming back in Interzone.

This movie unites so many of my film favorites, like Donald Pleasence as the incredibly named Senator Blaster, a man who is either coughing or screaming at everyone around him. And look! There's Bo Svenson as the nasty Russian Colonel Galckin, a man so evil that he puts a gun into Ross' son's hands and explains to him exactly how to blow his dad's brains out.

Kristine Erlandson kind of made a name for herself - well, with video store weirdos - by being in movies like this, Trident Force, Saigon Commandos, Vengeance Squad, Warriors of the Apocalypse and American Commando. She's joined by Ottaviano Dell'Acqua*, the rotting zombie from the infamous "We are going to eat you!" Zombi poster, Massimo Vanni** from Zombi 3 and Luciano Pigozzi*** (Pag from Yor Hunter from the Future).

Man, this movie tugs at the heartstrings. Ross had a kid over in 'Nam and never knew his wife, who was taken into a re-education camp, where she died and his kid ended up hating him. Or course, this was filmed in the Philippines, but let's not argue.

Mattei used his Vincent Dawn name on this one and co-conspirator and potential co-director Claudio Fragasso went as Clyde Anderson in the credits. Speaking of American names for Italians, let's answer those little footnotes:

*Richard Raymond

** Alex McBride

***Alan Collins

You know, this movie entertained me beyond belief, but I'm beyond a Mattei apologist. If he was still alive and needed a place to live, I would move him into my basement and cook every meal for him.