Bullet Points: Nasty Hero
Is there a better word to describe an ’80s action hero than nasty? Probably, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t one hell of a descriptive word for a leading man who isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty to save the day. Is there a more apt title for a movie about a nasty hero than Nasty Hero? Probably, but that doesn’t mean that Nasty Hero isn’t spot on in not only naming a film but also describing it. Luckily for you, I happen to have some Bullet Points for the 1987 action film Nasty Hero and we can find out if what goes around really does come around.
- Nasty Narration – When a movie opens with the protagonist narrating his back story and saying that he feels nasty then you know you are in for a good time. That protagonist turns out to be Chase (Scott Feraco) and he lets the audience know that he delivers expensive cars to rich people from other rich people. That was until he was arrested for driving a stolen car and sent to prison for six months. His arrest was a setup from a South Florida carjacking gang led by Brad (Robert Sedgwick). Chase is on his way back to Miami and is looking for revenge.
- Nasty Customs – Chase gets his work from local car dealer/customizer Vic (Raymond Serra). Vic is not only one of the best customizers in the biz, peep those Corvettes if you have any doubts, but also an unwilling pawn in Brad’s game. Vic is forced to help Brad and that spells bad news for Chase. However, when you are a nasty hero, you don’t scare too easily. An early restaurant fight when Chase takes out two of Brad’s goons shows that Chase can handle alot. I enjoyed the fight, but I found it odd that the one table that got flipped was just a run of the mill folding card table with a tablecloth in an otherwise swanky eatery.
- Nasty Triangle – Chase has another reason to be in Miami besides revenge, and that is with his former sweetheart Yolanda. Miami is a small world though, because Brad has the eye of Yolanda and she is not too keen on her former boyfriend trying to get her back. Chase is about to leave town over Yolanda, but just like almost all of us, Chase has a come to Jesus moment on the side of the road while changing his shirt and throwing his old shirt into the road and staring at graffiti. Brad’s current girlfriend, Virginia is not too keen on Brad wooing another girl, and when Brad gets a little too physical with Virginia he soon doesn’t have Yolanda or Virginia as they join team Chase. The last member of the team helping Chase is Carlos (Carlos Palomino) who just happens to be a boxer and the brother of Yolanda.
- Nasty Cop – God bless Mike Starr. When Mike Starr comes on screen as Det. Hackett there is no doubt that he is a crooked cop helping out Brad. Nasty Hero doesn’t even string it out or pretend that he is going to be good because anyone with eyes can see that Mike Starr is the perfect crooked cop and we wouldn’t want it any other way. Hackett and Brad come up with a plan to catch Chase with more stolen vehicles and that leads to an outstanding car chase… with Chase. We need more chases involving semis and car haulers. The action in, on and around the semi is very exciting. And that is saying something because there was not a single other car on the incredibly straight highway besides the participants in the chase. If you can make a chase exciting without the risk of hitting innocent motorists, you have done something right.
- Nasty Avenger – Hackett manages to break Chase’s arm and Brad manages to kidnap Carlos, Yolanda and Virginia and that causes Chase to go full avenger mode. What does that mean? It means that while there is no time to go to the hospital for his broken arm there is time for a mechanical gauntlet fabrication montage courtesy of Vic. Gauntlet’s are pretty awesome, even if there is a more famous movie that features gauntlet and also has avengers. The gauntlet in Nasty Hero comes late but when you see it, you know it is for the final showdown between Brad and Chase.
Nasty Hero is a perfect name for the movie. Chase is not a clean cut hero with his dirty clothes and scruffy look, but there is no question that he is the hero. He may play by his own rules but his game is still honor and what is right. Nasty Hero might not be a unique story, but the characters (including the cars) and action are worth a watch. I can’t be upset at any movie that has someone drive a car into a swimming pool. If you feel like a little grime with your action heroes you can do worse than Nasty Hero, but if you still need some more proof I just so happen to have some Nasty Hero Bonus Bullet Points.
- Also Known As – Nasty Hero is also known as The Avenger which is not as descriptive and undoubtedly usurped in popularity by a movie with the plural of the same name.
- What’s In The Box? – Chase carries around a tool box but we never really get to see why he always has it or what is in it.
- Cruise Control – Chase does get to use the box for his life hack cruise control while driving a semi, not that I would try it at home. Maybe on the road, but definitely not at home.
- Nasty Meter – Is smashing a drinking glass with your bare hands a badass thing for a nasty hero to do? Yes.
- Give a Hoot – Chase is seen reading a Louis L’Amour book and the only other person I know who reads Louis L’Amour is my grandmother so you can add her to team Chase.
