His death faked after his car plunges into a river, an American policeman is given a new identity and forced to become an assassin for a government-run secret organisation in this mix of action and comedy starring Fred Ward as the title character. As evidenced by the title, this was intended to the first in a series of James Bond like movies that never quite took off, which is unfortunate since this is as riveting and entertaining a ride as one would expect from 'Goldfinger' director Guy Hamilton. The story is not without its weaknesses. Ward is a little too accepting of his new identity and role in life, never once pining for what he left behind. The film also spends little time on the idea of assassinations made to look like accidents despite an intriguing suggestion that the secret organisation has been run for decades as a way of the government dealing with shady figures that cannot legally be touched. All of Ward's training scenes are very well done though and frequently suspenseful (hanging off amusement park rides). Joel Grey is also dynamite as Ward's trainer who compares him to a yak claims that "fear is nothing more than a feeling" while dodging bullets by predicting muscle movements (!). The film is filled with great set pieces too; whether it be hanging off the Statue of Liberty or evading intelligent guard dogs, there is nary a boring moment to be had here.

Up to now, that's the only feature made from the Drestroyer series novels. Such a shame, because this series could bring much material, inventive one, for movie industry. Especially now, in the 2010's and their f...superheroes craps...It could be better than all that we Watch year long, adapted from Comic books. So, this film seems close to the series spirit, but only at first sight. The genesis of the characters is OK from the books. But for the rest, it unfortunately remains an usual action flick. For instance, in the novels, Remo's character is outstanding, far ahead of the todays superheroes. In this movie, he is no more than a sort of John McLane, see what I mean? I also understand that all Remo can perform in the books is so outstanding, so incredible, that it could have been very hard, and I would say impossible, to put on a screen. Even now, with the special effects. So twenty eight years ago, just imagine...Typical eighties stuff. No more.

I like this movie, whenever I come across it on TV I end up watching it to the end. Joel Grey does a fantastic job as does Fred Ward. I can't understand why it was panned so badly when it was released.There is one line in it that I've always found absurd though, Wilford Brimley's character tells Ward's that "there's one thing we can never do and that's embarrass the President". Are you effing kidding me? Presidents embarrass themselves so often who's going to notice!And I did read one review, in the Boston Herald, that I've never forgotten and always found hilarious even though I like the movie. It had to be the shortest review on record; Remo Williams, The Adventure BeginsWhen?Even if you like the movie, you have to laugh

I was just the right age when this came out to really enjoy it. Watching it again loses some of the wonder but none of the fun.A brilliant mix of espionage and Karate Kid with the master / pupil relationship played for both laughs and oriental mystique, this is a film to kick back to and simply enjoy.The Eighties were the decade for action comedies and this was one of the best (It was nominated for an Oscar, for goodness sakes)- watching it now brings back lots of great memories.Always liked Fred Ward - he's the actor Chuck Norris should have been here - and he and the others make this a winner.Fun movie and one that deserves a remake.