No Holds Barred 35 Years Random Thoughts
No Holds Barred turns 35 Year's old today. To my knowledge it was the first commercial wide release film based on pro wrestling. Which fits into the WWF era at that time of rock 'n wrestling and still having crossover appeal. The first time I saw the movie it was on TBS during an airing on the movie block Movies For Guys Who Like Movies. Being a pre-teen I didn't watch the film with a eye on how bad it was.
Watching the movie now I take it for what it is, as a product of its time. Even still accepting the movie for what it is, I can't help but think of ten random things questionable or wrong with the movie.
10. What was the point of Randy's Girlfriend?
In the film Rip has his trainer by his side in Charlie (Bill Henderson) and his love interest Samantha (Joan Severance). Brell has his yes men by his side in Unger (David Paymer) and Ordway (Charles Levin). Rip's brother Randy (Mark Pellegrino) has his best friend Craig (Patrick O'Bryan) and his girlfriend by his side.
The credits list his girlfriend as Stephanie (Christie Fletcher), yet I don't think Stephanie uttered two words in the film. She's just there for maybe 3 scenes and adds nothing to them. No fault to the actress as the script didn't call for it. But I must ask, why add her then?
9. World Television Network what a name
Honestly in the grand scheme of things a television network named WTN (World Television Network), doesn't mean much. It just highlights the lack of creativity and thought put into the film.
8. Brill gets so furious he electrocuted himself
The villain of the film television executive Brell is played by Kurt Fuller, who during the 80's mastered the sleazy weasel role. He does his best in this film hamming it up.
One thing I don't get is in the film's climax, he becomes so irate that Rip wins he damages broadcast equipment until ...he electrocutes himself.
7. Why does Zeus and Rip growl and grunt so much?
I honestly feel like there are more animalistic sounds made by Rip and Zeus in the film than dialogue. The two spend a good portion of the film growling, grunting, and squealing. Or making faces I guess to give them a intimidating edge, but ends up being laughable.
6. Rip is superhuman
Man that guy Rip Thomas is a special kind of human being. Throughout the film he repeatedly kicks a limo door causing the driver to lose control at every kick. He is able to escape through that same limo by crashing through the sunroof, from the inside.
He stops the stick up of a diner. He picks a goon of Brell up with one hand while riding his Harley, and then throws the guy in a tree. He even invokes fear so much in one goon, he craps his pants.
Why is he a professional wrestler and not saving the world?
5. What was Zeus fate?
During the film's climax Zeus is knocked 3 feet in the air when Rip, hits him with what must have been a bionic double axe handle. He Crash lands into the ring below, essentially collapsing it.
We last see Zeus laying in the ring with blood dripping from his mouth. The conventional wisdom amongst fans, is that Zeus is dead after that fall. But is he dead? Is he severely unconscious? Did he wake up in jail? What happened to him?
4. Rip is the WWF champion but operates as a free agent
During the film's opening it is acknowledged Rip is the WWF World Heavyweight Champion. Evident by the Winged Eagle championships, Jesse Ventura and "Mean" Gene Okerlund ringside providing commentary. WWF banners over the ring, and oh yeah the voice of Howard Finkel announcing Rip as the WWF champion.
Yet Brell only wants Rip for his network and hasn't negotiated with his employer. Now I don't know who was running the organization in the world of No Holds Barred. But if it was the real world one Vince McMahon wouldn't have allowed that.
3. Hulk Hogan was in his mid-30s?
Ok, so as Kid it's very easy to think everyone is older than what they actually are. Or that they're age makes them older than what they are. When I was a kid if someone told me they were 22 I would have thought life was figured out for them. Someone said they were 40..shit they are about to retire.
Watching the film realizing Hogan was only in his mid-30's is still kind of mind boggling. It could have been the balding. Or how Hogan carried himself in real life and the movie. But damn he seemed a lot older.
2. No one got arrested?
1. It's Not Bad, But It's Not Good
Ok, so despite my issues with the film it truly isn't a oh my god terrible can't watch this movie. If you dump your brain and just watch it for it is, you'll be a bit entertained. Legend has it Vince McMahon and Hulk Hogan wrote the film themselves, and Vince likely financed it before getting New Line to agree to distribute it. And it all show's in the dialogue, pacing, and wooden characters, and I still may turn it on if I just want something on TV to help me decompress from a long day or something.
This movie is clearly a vanity project intended to ride the wave of Hulk Hogan and the remaining momentum the Rock N' wrestling era had. It's not the worst movie ever created, but it's sure not great. Its not even the worst wrestling themed movie ever created. Me personally I'd take Suburban Commando over this, but it served its purpose for the time whatever that was.
It will always be a burning question though, how did it get made?
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