Remo Williams - The Adventure Begins

There was a time in my movie going night when we would go to as many as five movies in one week. This was the eighties and although we never had as many theatres as the later movie multiplexes would provide we had enough of them to see most that was being put out in the early to late eighties. Remember 2 dollar Tuesday? Never missed going to a show on that day of the week.

Like 'Buckaroo Banzai' 'Remo Williams', based on a character created in the 'Destroyer' series of pulp action novels, was a huge favorite among me and my mates. The story and character were a unique twist on a traditions cop/spy comedy drama.

Starring the always awesome Fred Ward and the totally unrecognizable Joel Grey it was a fresh take on the cop buddy picture and was pegged to be the start of a long franchise. That is obvious in the title. Not doing so well at the box office it instead tried to spawn a television series that went no further than the pilot. Neither principal actors made the move to TV and instead Roddy McDowell played the irrepressible Chun - Remo's mentor, teacher, and biggest critic.

Ward plays a cop who is 'killed' only awaking to find himself a man without an identity when the now living cop is recruited by a top secret government cabal (CURE) who deal with 'unique' problems - problems the regular government can't or won't deal with. The blackest of black ops. Plastic surgery is done to change his facial features and all records of his life are destroyed. Even his new name is made up having been gotten off the bottom of a hospital bedpan.

Of course Remo doesn't take well to the news that he has been 'shanghaied' but is intrigued by the fact that he will be 'the eleventh commandment - "tho shall not get away with it." He is to go after the biggest criminals that neither law or the government can touch. But first he will need some very specific training.

In comes Chiun - an Korean master of the ancient marital art of Sinanju. A form of superior combat that allows a man to perform amazing physical feats and operate without a gun or weapon of any kind. His body is the ultimate weapon. Of course Chun sees Remo as a poor candidate for his teaching due to all the 'demon hamburgers' he can smell on him. Chun, however, reluctantly takes him on as a student and the two begin their rocky relationship as master and student.

Chiun is played by Joel Grey who is almost recognizable but is the best part of this whole movies. Grey plays Chiun as an arrogant, uncompromising teacher who totally is racist against anyone who is not Korean. He is reluctant to give Remo praise for his accomplishments but Remo grows on Chun and vice versa. He would never admit it but Chiun sees real potential is this latest in a long line of students the master has had to teach. Some of the best comedy comes from the unorthodox training techniques Chiun uses to create this supposed perfect warrior which is the ultimate goal of his teachings.


One thing that always bothered me about the movie is that their are two music snippets that they use several times. One is a triumphant musical sample that tells any audience member that hasn't figured it out already that Remo is a majestic hero - they play it throughout the picture whenever Remo succeeds at something. The second is an slow Asian love song instrumental that is played whenever we should be sad like when Remo finds that if he messes up and the cabal is exposed that Chiun would execute Remo without any reservations. As Chun says - 'It's in the contract'.

The criminal Remo is going after in this film is an evil defence contractor but it could be any bad guy. What we want and keep finding interest in, is the relationship between Remo and Chun.

I am glad to hear that a new film is being produced that will bring the characters back to the big screen. No cast has since been announced but I suspect they will bring in some top action stars. Personally I would like to Jason Statham or Gerald Butler as Remo. I am not sure about Chiun but I want to see someone like Joel Grey who was a song and dance man before taking on this role which was, in my mind, the best of his career. He really caught the essence of Chiun and committed fully to the part. How great would it be to see them cast someone who hasn't made a movie in decades and restart their career with what could be a franchise picture? Or bring in a REAL Asian who has been a star in that part of the world but has never made a picture in North American. Wow us with his talent.

Action, adventure, and comedy can be a deadly cool combination and I loved seeing this movie again after all these years. Somethings never get old.

Remo - "You know Chiun, there are times I really like you."
Chiun - "Of course, I am Chiun"
Remo - "And there are times I really want to kill you."
Chiun - "Excellent. We will practice that after dinner.