Firewalker (1986)
Kicking this volume off is an action-adventure comedy about a couple of down on their luck fortune hunters who are hoping to cash in on a lost hoard of gold in J. Lee Thompson’s Firewalker from 1986 starring Chuck Norris, Louis Gossett Jr., Melody Anderson, and Will Sampson
This treasure hunting movie didn’t really strike gold at the box office, and it was dinged heavily for feeling like a derivative mashup of Raiders of the Lost Ark with Romancing the Stone. But I contend that Firewalker is a great time and it’s primarily due to the charming and comical chemistry between Norris and Gossett Jr. Now Gossett wasn’t necessarily known for comedy, but he was a versatile actor, so he delivered the charisma needed for this role with ease. Norris was certainly out of type here despite weaving his action in, and sure he’s a bit stiff in places but overall, I think he brings this movie an effective comical energy. It’s a by-the-numbers adventure plot but it still delivers a ride filled with loads of action, comical banter, and splashes romance. And sure, it gets a bit silly and that may not have worked in Firewalker’s favor when released but looking back now it gives this movie a fun-loving charm that enables it to entertain more now than it did back in ‘86.
Just One of the Guys (1985)
We’re jumping from adventure to comedy for this next film about a teenage girl who wants to be a journalist but feels she’s being discriminated against. So, while her parents are out of town she cuts her hair, changes her wardrobe and enrolls at a rival school as a boy in 1985s Just One of the Guys directed by Lisa Gottlieb. Starring Joyce Hyser, Clayton Rohner, Billy Jacoby, William Zabka, and Sherilyn Fenn.
Admittedly this movie flows effortlessly through all the teen comedy tropes from the era in terms of plot points and character arcs but it doesn’t get in the way of the fun this movie delivers. The performances are filled with energy and charisma. Hyser is great in the lead. She’s comical. She feels sincere, and her chemistry with Billy Jacoby is perfect for their sibling dynamic. And sure, this movie’s focal attempts at humor are all related to the gender swap concept, but I do think there’s a charming sense of humor in the writing overall. Just One of the Guys relies on its simple premise, but it keeps a steady pace, it doesn’t try to get too sappy, and the writing manages to give this story just enough heart at the core to tug at the heartstrings. So, with strong performances, an amusing story, and plenty of vibrant 80s music, Just One of the Guys is a timeless 80s comedy.
Dragnet (1987)
Sticking in the genre of comedy for this next film. It’s based on the radio and tv series and follows the crime solving exploits of LAPD Sergeants Joe Friday and Pep Streebek in 1987s Dragnet directed by Tom Mankiewicz starring Tom Hanks, Dan Aykroyd, Christopher Plummer, Harry Morgan, and Dabney Coleman.
This was another movie that was criticized a bit when released. It did great at the box office, but some scoffed at the modernization of the source material. Yet, despite all of that, I think Dragnet is a hilarious action comedy that focuses heavily on comedy. Now the pagan angle of the story may not work for everyone. It’s a bit out there, but it helps give this film a bizarre energy that just ramps up the oddities of this adventure. Aykroyd delivers a masterclass performance in comedy, feeling like he was born for this crisp, dry performance. Hanks also dives nicely into his comedic roots as well and together they’re a world class comedic 1-2 punch. Sure, some of the jokes try a bit too hard and some of the story angles get a bit too wild but I appreciate the swing this movie took in not just relying on nostalgia but instead relying on the comical brilliance of its two leads and for that aspect this silly little comedy still entertains today.
Nighthawks (1981)
We’re jumping back to the early 80s for this next gritty crime thriller. Before Stallone was an action legend he starred as Deke DaSilva, an NYPD Detective that will take on an international terrorist in Bruce Malmuth’s Nighthawks from 1981 also starring Rutger Hauer, Billy Dee Williams, and Lindsay Wagner.
Stallone had already done Rocky, but he was far from the global icon he would become when Nighthawks was released, and he never really did another film like this until maybe Eye See You in 2002. But Nighthawks still holds up as a well-crafted, gritty, neo-noir cop thriller with a methodical pace and NY serving as the perfect playground for a cop chasing an international terrorist. Rutger Hauer is awesome in this one, he’s equally charming and sadistic and he certainly steals the show over Stallone. But that’s sort of what you want from a maniacal villain. However, what shines with Nighthawks is its 70s atmosphere, its flashy scoring, and the artistic direction and cinematography. This story just layers the suspense excellently to ramp up the tension nicely and with good old-fashioned stunt-work and practical effects the back half of this film turns into a thrilling ride filled with action, style, and intrigue.
Best of the Best (1989)
From the early 80s were jumping to the late 80s for this martial-arts action flick that admittedly does have a solid cult following. It centers on a group of the US’s top fighters who will have to overcome their differences to team up against a South Korean Tae Kwon Do tournament in 1989s The Best of the Best starring Eric Roberts, James Earl Jones, Sally Kirkland, and Phillip and Simon Rhee.
Now I will admit this isn’t a movie I’m extremely high on. I enjoy it as a late 80s martial-arts action romp. But I certainly don’t love it as much as most. The stories. It’s straightforward and familiar. I also think the action showcases a buffet of effective fight choreography. To me the casting’s a bit off. I love Eric Roberts, but he didn’t really work for me in this movie. He makes the film a bit too laughable during his most emotionally driven moments and despite being a fine actor he’s not the best of the best for this movie. Neither is Chris Penn. This is just my opinion. However, outside of the changes I would’ve made in the casting I can still appreciate the nostalgia this one delivers all these years later. I didn’t watch this movie as much growing up, but after watching it recently I can invest in the journey it takes and the threads of friendship, teamwork, and competition, as much as their beat of your head are still enough to chew on between all the high adrenaline action.
Alien Nation (1988)
We’re stepping back a year to this forgotten sci-fi action thriller. A few years after making contact with aliens a quarantine procedure has been implemented allowing the aliens to integrate into human society in 1988s Alien Nation starring James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terrence Stamp, and Peter Jason.
This movie would spawn a TV series that would run from 89-90 and it takes the traditional cop thriller and drops it into a world blended with humans and aliens. Now this movie leans heavier into the cop thriller tropes than it does exploring the science-fiction of it all and I like that. I like how this movie feels like others I’ve seen yet has a twist that makes it feel like something completely new. James Caan and Mandy Patinkin are great in the leads. Caan plays the tough as nails detective to a tee making the role his own. And Patinkin brings life to his role behind the makeup as the alien who teams with this bristly cop to solve a murder. Alien Nation admittedly goes through the genre motions, but it also delivers a gritty visual atmosphere and feels like a futuristic look at our world. Some of the “aliens in society” humor is amusing, the action is gritty and violence, the scoring and performances are strong, and this movie still delivers a great ride.
Starman (1984)
Sticking in the sci-fi genre, this next forgotten flick directed by John Carpenter follows an alien who takes the form of a woman’s dead husband and has her drive him across the country to his destination point in 1984s Starman starring Jeff Bridges, Karen Allen, Charles Martin Smith, and Robert Phalen.
To me Starman is really unlike any other Carpenter film in that it takes what could be a high-octane sci-fi premise and crafts it into a sweet and heartfelt drama revolving around human compassion. This comes from the intimate direction of Carpenter but more so from the emotionally charged performances from Jeff Bridges, and Karen Allen, who breathe so much life, sincerity, and love into these characters. So, with Allen and Daniels behind the wheel you can’t help but invest in this journey and root for their characters. I do think Daniels is a bit too clunky in certain scenes but it’s sort of the point. This movie certainly does have its overly sappy moments but for the most part Carpenter keeps it surprisingly grounded and with strong scoring, campy visual effects, and an endearing amount of heart at the core, Starman still holds up as a hidden gem from the 80s.
Johnny Dangerously (1984)
Next up I have a time-period comedy about organized crime that has never been so disorganized when an everyday guy in the 1930s is forced into a life of crime to support his mother’s skyrocketing medical bills in 1984s Johnny Dangerously starring Michael Keaton, Joe Piscopo, Marilu Henner, Danny DeVito, and Peter Boyle.
This is another mid-80s comedy that sort of came and went with little impact left and it was scoffed at for the dumb tone of its humor. But I actually think that dumb humor is perfect for the needs of this silly story and all the eccentric characters that fill it. Sure, there are a lot of dumb jokes, sexual innuendo, and sight gags but that isn’t to say Johnny Dangerously still doesn’t have a clever sense of humor fueling it. The direction from Amy Heckerling is effective. The movie keeps a fast pace and the performance from Keaton is top-notch for this amusing character. Keaton has great comedic timing in this role. He’s really putting the energy into the part, and it gives this film the charismatic lead it needs. And with names like Henner, Piscopo, DeVito, and DeLouise there is no shortage of comically skilled actors that I think are able to elevate the spots of writing that aren’t as naturally effective. And when all is said and done Johnny Dangerously is a hilarious 80s hidden gem.
Runaway Train (1985)
Now this next action thriller would get a few Oscar nominations, and some would say this one is not so forgotten but I still think it’s worthy of an entry. It follows a couple of escaped convicts and a railway worker who get themselves stuck on a speeding train with no brakes in 1985s Runaway Train starring Jon Voight, Eric Roberts, and Rebecca De Mornay.
To me Runaway Train is a film that makes the most use of its focal elements. The story is able to pull the most intensity and unnerving suspense from the plot. The performances from both Voight and Roberts pump life into their characters, with their contrasting personalities serving the turns of the plot well. Then you get the incredible direction, great cinematography, and pulse pounding scoring and the result is a movie that can pull you in and have you on the edge of your seat. The stunt work in this movie creates action sequences that still look impressive today. Sure, there are spots of visual effects that don’t hold up so well but for the most part Runaway Train still has a crisp polish to it and the performances from Voight, Roberts, and De Mornay can still grab your attention and capture your imagination as this train with no break’s rages down the tracks to true cinematic appeal.
Running Scared (1986)
And closing out this volume is another action comedy that some will remember but one I think many people may have forgotten or never heard of. It follows a couple of street-smart cops’ fresh off vacation who must track down a drug dealer who tried to kill them in 1986s Running Scared starring Gregory Hines, Billy Crystal, and Steven Bauer.
This was another movie that did decent at the box-office but never really struck with critics. Yet the pairing of Billy Crystal and Gregory Hines is all you need to have a blast with Running Scared. The story works through many of the tropes and all the familiar plot points but it’s a swift moving buddy cop thriller that can pull you in and take you out on the case with these partners. Hines and Crystal are awesome together. They have just enough similarities and just enough differences to complement the other well and their energy together is really the pulse of this gritty but still lighthearted action flick. The construction of this movie may have been a little too traditional, but to this day I don’t think Hines and Crystal got the credit they deserved for the humor they brought this movie as a duo. The music’s upbeat, the action’s nice and violent, Crystal and Hines are like peanut butter and jelly, and Running Scared is a true 80s hidden gem.
Anthony J. Digioia II © 2025 SilverScreen Analysis & Movies Never Say Die
