Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Brutal
- gritty
- tense
- propulsive
- 1980s action marathon
- late night thriller viewing
What critics said
Critics largely regarded the film as an unnecessary and conventional television adaptation, though some praised its smooth, efficient, polished action craftsmanship.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Nick Randall is recruited to track Malak Al Rahim after the terrorist has already initiated an operation in the country.
Nick Randall is both a bounty hunter and former CIA operative, making his professional identity central to the conflict.
The film was described as smooth, efficient, handsome, and brightly polished despite remaining close to the surface of its material.
Nick Randall is explicitly presented as a descendant of Steve McQueen's Josh Randall from the earlier television series.
Films like Wanted: Dead or Alive, and why
The American Ninja
shares 1980s urban action, terrorism-driven suspense, and a hard-edged professional protagonist
The Soldier
shares revenge-oriented action, ex-operative protagonists, and confrontational crime thriller energy
The Presidio
shares gritty urban pursuit, lone-wolf lawman dynamics, and compact 1980s action filmmaking
Movie Details
- Director
- Gary Sherman
- Release Date
- 1987-01-16
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (148)
Cast
- Rutger Hauer
- Gene Simmons
- Eli Danker
- Nick Faltas
- Robert Guillaume
- Dennis Burkley
- Mel Harris
- Hugh Gillin
- Jerry Hardin
- Robert Harper
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Best of British Tv Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Wanted: Dead or Alive about?
- A former CIA operative turned bounty hunter becomes the target of the terrorist he has been recruited to pursue.
- What is Wanted: Dead or Alive like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Wanted: Dead or Alive as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Wanted: Dead or Alive violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Wanted: Dead or Alive as brutal.
- What did critics think of Wanted: Dead or Alive?
- Critics largely regarded the film as an unnecessary and conventional television adaptation, though some praised its smooth, efficient, polished action craftsmanship.
- Which films are like Wanted: Dead or Alive?
- Films with a similar feel include The American Ninja, The Soldier, and The Presidio.
- How long is Wanted: Dead or Alive?
- Wanted: Dead or Alive runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Wanted: Dead or Alive?
- In United States, Wanted: Dead or Alive streams on Amazon Prime Video, Hi-YAH, Amazon Prime Video with Ads, Best of British Tv Amazon Channel.
