Ten thousand light-years from Earth lies a planet known as Arturos. There, a dangerous criminal is on the run and enters a local laundromat, taking thirteen hostages, including women and children. To prevent a potential bloodbath and support the mayor's upcoming election, the police must meet the criminal's demands, regardless of the nature of the requests or the amount of money involved. However, it isn't long before Officer Brick Bardo (Tim Thomerson) arrives on the scene.
Despite being suspended, Bardo is determined to help and ignores the mayor’s requests. Armed with a Kruger Blaster, the most powerful handgun in the universe, and supported by the police captain, Bardo enters the laundromat and successfully resolves the situation without bloodshed. However, the news story presents a different account of the events, influenced by the mayor’s anger over the outcome and Bardo’s interference.
After returning home, Bardo is kidnapped by his arch-nemesis, Sprug (Frank Collison), who has battled Bardo multiple times. Sprug is a floating head housed in a high-tech device. He demands 50,000 molecular ions in exchange for Bardo’s release, confident that his demands will be met because he possesses a powerful dimensional fusion bomb capable of destroying the entire city.
Bardo, however, is not easily intimidated. Following a chaotic shootout filled with explosions, Sprug manages to escape in his cruiser. Bardo pursues him, and during their chase through space, their ships collide and crash on an alien planet known as Earth. Due to the planet's unique structure, Bardo's size is altered, making him significantly smaller than the planet's life forms, which are six times larger than he is!
In the South Bronx, the small but determined Bardo finds himself amid a violent war that has engulfed the streets in crime, including drugs and violence. Meanwhile, Debi (Kamala Lopez) tirelessly fights for justice in the city, committed to making the streets safer again. In this challenging environment, Bardo must confront a new type of criminal while confidently asserting that size doesn’t matter.
"Dollman" is an action-comedy film with a sci-fi twist that is not meant to be taken seriously. Directed by Albert Pyun, known for his previous works such as "Cyborg" (1989), "Nemesis" (1992), and "Captain America" (1990), "Dollman" was released by Full Moon Features. This American independent film production and distribution company, led by B-grade veteran Charles Band, is recognised for titles like "Trancers," "Dollman vs. Demonic Toys," "The Gingerdead Man," and many others.
This is truly entertaining and filled with fun, creative moments. The concept is fresh and engaging, featuring a hilarious character inspired by the tough cop archetype reminiscent of Dirty Harry. Dollman is packed with memorable one-liners and playful dialogue. Bardo embodies the principle of doing whatever it takes to uphold justice and be a good cop.
Overall, Dollman is a brilliant film that has quickly become one of my favourites. Tim Thomerson shines as Dollman, a thirteen-inch-tall man known for his memorable one-liners and tough-guy action. Although some performances from supporting characters and the visual effects feel a bit dated, the film’s creativity remains fresh and engaging. After watching this, I'm eager to explore more titles from Full Moon Features, such as Demonic Toys. Ultimately, Dollman proves that good things come in small packages—so sit back, relax, and enjoy!
* This review has been written for Sanity. For more reviews from Walkden Entertainment, check out the link here: www.walkdenentertainment.com