Hired to Kill

Boobs, broads, and bravado are the order of the day in a new Arrow Video Blu-ray release. The high-voltage action thriller "Hired to Kill" features every laughably bad moment you can think of in one campy, 96-minute package. If only all Blu-rays could be this enjoyable and extensive with their special features.

When the first scene of the film shows action star Brian Thompson ("Cobra," "Terminator") in his underwear and nothing else, you'll know what to expect from the rest of the film. Thompson plays Frank Ryan, hired as a mercenary to find a rebel leader in the fictional country of Cypra (a gorgeous-looking Greece was used as the filming location).

But poor Frank has to go undercover as a gay fashion designer in order not to blow his cover, and Thompson gets to say the immortal line: "You want me to go undercover as a faggot designer?" The unintentional misogyny continues in "Hired to Kill," as six women pout and preen alongside Frank and operate as his sidekicks. This also gives the chance for the filmmakers to show the females in various states of undress.

Other items of note in "Hired to Kill":
Number of scenes that Brian Thompson's bare chest is shown: 10
Number of female cat-fights: 5
Number of 1980s musical montages: Unfortunately, only 4

The 2016 high-definition transfer of "Hired to Kill" has been commissioned by famed director Nico Mastorakis (who co-directed the film) and approved its bonus content.

"Hired to Direct" is a 30-minute new interview with co-director Mastorakis who shares tales about actor Oliver Reed's antics on-set (he was drunk through most of the shoot). The quite sad story of the stunt man who lost his life in a helicopter crash also gets examined.

Brian Thompson shares the same helicopter accident story in his interview segment "Undercover Mercenary." He also talks about his career and how he got hired for "Hired to Kill." (Nepotism played a huge factor.)

The screenplay, with the original title of "Freedom or Death," can be downloaded from the DVD, while the Blu-ray disc also has the trailer and a stills gallery.

"Hired to Kill"
Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack
$39.95
www.arrowfilms.co.uk