After using all of the 'transport' settings to rip off DIE HARD (a bus for SPEED, a plane for PASSENGER 57, a boat for UNDER SIEGE), the makers of this film were forced to resort to a generic building with lots of gloomy twisting passages and a labyrinthine basement as the setting for this lame, wannabe thriller. Not that it matters, as they obviously didn't have the budget to use any effective scenery anyway. What we're left with is a series of pale blue corridors, all exactly the same in appearance, with nothing to characterise them - no plants, no posters, nothing, just endless identical rooms.With nothing in the way of scenery, we're left to concentrate on the actors on screen. Unfortunately, there is little in the way of acting in this film, especially from leaden 'star' Linden Ashby, who hobbles around and occasionally kills people in bloodless ways. Let's face it, Ashby is no Bruce Willis and his attempts to act are frankly pathetic. He's just another guy brought up from television who can't make it in the real world of films. The only character to really emphasise with is Andrew Divoff (WISHMASTER) as the lead terrorist, who at least brings a little character to his role as the charismatic bad guy. Along with these two are Rutger Hauer (THE HITCHER) in a new career low in a wheelchair with braided hair, and dependable Tim Thomerson (DOLLMAN) as a lawman.The situations are nothing new in this film, and were done a hundred times better in the DIE HARD trilogy. The pacing is non-existent, with one action scene lasting for ten seconds, while the surrounding elements like people walking around last for at least ten minutes. The action scenes themselves are nothing to get worked up about, and are over far too quickly with not enough violence, with only a single leg breaking scene, which in itself is worthy of a Seagal movie. The only thing I liked was the way in which Ashby got gradually more and more injured as the film went on, a bit like good old Brucie.

*******SPOILERS INCLUDED*********I just saw this film on TV and was fairly impressed. The blurb in the TV guide said that the USA women's swim team is saved from terrorists by a janitor. After about 20 minutes I thought that this film was going to be a total break from convention, as a fat, black, woman janitor was sneaking around and calling for help and spying on the terrorists. Then she was shot and "Johnny Cage" jumps into action, beating up evil doers with wet towels.The budget for this film seems to have been spent entirely on the location - they hired a large swimming pool - that's it. Given that there is a back-story that this whole hostage situation is actually a cover for an assassination of 20+ world leaders there is very little evidence of them.The real highlights are at the end. Hauer is a double amputee terrorism expert, so eyebrows start to be raised when he is loaded on board the truck with the SWAT team; he then rolls into action (literally) fastening his explosive laden wheelchair to the senior terrorist (apparently the most deadly terrorist in the world!!!) before diving into the swimming pool to avoid the ensuing blast - this really has to be seen to be believed.I suppose it's all harmless fun.

With "Blast", Albert Pyun presents us with his B-movie version of the "Die Hard" scenario. Aside from the stop-motion fighting sequences and familiar plot elements - even down to the hero's ex-wife being the terrorist's last hostage - the movie also featured deflated performances from Andrew Divoff and Rutger Hauer. Even as the leader of the terrorists, Divoff is given very little to say and even less to do. Walking fast and tough down hallways seems to be his character's primary ability. And what was with Hauer's legs having been blown off? Wow - not since Gary Sinise in "Forrest Gump" have I seen such a convincing leg amputee.Tim Thomerson looked like he was trying his best to be invisible in his role as the police chief who only appears on a single set. And if you've got a keen eye, you can spot pre-American Pie and pre-implants Shannon Elizabeth as one of the swimteam hostages. Other than that, a couple bad computer animated explosions, bad guys who have the hero at point-blank range yet still wait for him to escape to the other side of a locked door, a seemingly unkillable hero, and not-so-subtle characterisations make "Blast" another serving from Pyun that one should definitely miss.

Though dated, the Atlanta Olympics is the setting for this by the numbers "Die Hard" type film. Supposedly based on a scenario that "could have happened", terrorists seize the US Women's swim team and hold them hostage at the Aquatic Center. What they didn't count on is a janitor (Ashby) who also happens to be an ex-Tae Kwon Do Olympic medallist.He takes on the terrorists while being guided through it all by Mr. Leo (Hauer), a terrorist expert with Interpol who lost his legs in an explosion caused by the terrorist leader (Divoff).The action is strictly by the numbers with a mix of martial arts and gunplay. Ashby is excellent in his role and both Hauer and Divoff seem to be enjoying themselves in their roles.Not seen on cable much, but I'd rent it if you happen across it at your local video store.