Under the Gun (1995) Review

“Under the Gun” Theatrical Poster

Director: Matthew George
Cast: Richard Norton, Kathy Long, Jane Badler, Peter Lindsay, Robert Bruce, David Serafin, Ron Vreeken, Tino Ceberano, Adam Haddrick, Sam Greco
Running Time: 93 min.

By Z Ravas

As action fans around the globe react with sadness at the untimely loss of actor Richard Norton at the age of 75, I realized it was high time I dug deeper into the actor’s body of work. Sure, like most fans of Hong Kong martial arts movies, I’d seen Norton square off against Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan in movies like Twinkle, Twinkle, Lucky Stars and City Hunter, but I’d never actually watched one of his starring vehicles. When I read a review of the 1995 actioner Under the Gun that labeled it the ‘Direct to Video martial arts version of Uncut Gems,’ I just had to see for myself how a movie could live up to that description; if you’re familiar with that 2019 high anxiety thriller from the Safdie Brothers, about a compulsive gambler trying to pay off his debt to the mob before time runs out, you know it didn’t exactly feel like it had room for spin kicks.

And yet, I’m here to tell you that that description is not far off. Under the Gun follows Richard Norton as Frank Torrence, a former professional hockey player(!) turned nightclub owner with a problem: he’s got one last shift to work before he signs a deal to sell his club and absconds to Mexico City, but seemingly everyone who walks through the doors of his establishment wants a piece of him, from the Mafia to crooked cops and even an unruly pimp. The film’s story covers the span of several hours but feels as though it unfolds more or less in real time, as we watch Norton’s pressed and stressed protagonist attempt to put his affairs in order and make it till the morning with his life (and marriage) intact. Why an ex-hockey player is also a highly trained martial artist, the script doesn’t even attempt to explain, but it’s a good thing since Norton will need every ounce of his fighting abilities to survive the night.

Under the Gun is, simply put, one of the best Direct to Video action efforts of the 90’s. It’s like someone took a compelling neo-noir about a nightclub owner who’s in over his head and then added a whole bunch of fight scenes that randomly break out at any given moment. Anchoring the film is Richard Norton’s performance, which is never less than charismatic and believable as he juggles a whole host of issues, including pressure from the mob, suspicious accountants, and a jealous wife. The movie seems to be regarded as one of the hidden jewels in the actor’s filmography and it’s not difficult to see why: it’s a great showcase for his martial arts abilities, to be sure, but Under the Gun serves as a testament to Norton’s screen presence and likability. The fact that Norton appears in almost every scene and is clearly committed also helps to make up for some of the shakier performances of the supporting cast.

Action fans need not worry about feeling left out amidst the drama: Under the Gun boasts numerous fight scenes, choreographed by Norton himself. It’s worth mentioning that Norton’s co-star Kathy Long holds her own during the fight scenes for a reason: the actress, who appeared in Albert Pyun’s Knights, was a women’s kick-boxing champion throughout the 1980’s. Appropriately, the emphasis throughout the film is largely on hand-to-hand combat, but the climax does go for a gloriously John Woo-esque shootout, featuring bad guys repelling down ropes from the ceiling as they fire their machine guns and Norton wielding dual handguns like he’s in a heroic bloodshed flick. The deliciously amped up sound FX for every punch and kick were reminding me of Isaac Florentine’s kinetic action flicks from around this time, like Cold Harvest and High Voltage, and I’d certainly rank Under the Gun alongside Florentine’s work as some of the best the Direct to Video realm has to offer.

If you’re looking for a role to remember Richard Norton by, I highly suggest giving this one a shot. It’s the kind of movie that makes me wish I ran a boutique Blu-ray label out of my basement because this is precisely the kind of forgotten gem that deserves the hi-def treatment. In the meantime, it’s currently streaming on Amazon Prime, though the lo-fi, VHS-quality presentation leaves something to be desired.

Z Ravas’ Review: 8/10