The Villain (1979)

The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

The movie really just wants to entertain people.

Are you looking for sophisticated humor? Subtlety? Nuance?I didn't think so.If what you desire is an outrageous Western spoof made in the mold of Road Runner / Wile E. Coyote cartoons, then "The Villain" is certain to tickle your funny bone.Kirk Douglas is top billed as the title character, alias Cactus Jack Slade, an outlaw who screws up time and time again. He's determined but incompetent. He really is like that famous cartoon canine, what with his spectacular lack of success.Cactus Jack is hired by crooked banker Avery Simpson (Jack Elam) for the purpose of screwing over a miner named Parody Jones (Strother Martin). Parody isn't dumb, though, utilizing his sexpot daughter Charming (Ann-Margret) and the ramrod straight Handsome Stranger (Arnold Schwarzenegger) to make sure that a critical payment reaches its destination.All you really need to know about "The Villain" is this: special guest star Paul Lynde plays an Indian chief named Nervous Elk. And that's what you can expect in this gleefully goofy, comically sadistic, politically incorrect comedy with gags-a-plenty. Other guest stars include Foster Brooks as a drunken bank clerk, Ruth Buzzi as a damsel in no distress, Robert Tessier as an Indian sidekick, "Mashing Finger", and singer Mel Tillis as a stuttering telegraph agent (Mel also sings the three theme songs).Kirk is hilarious as a bumbling bad guy, for whom you do feel rather sorry. Ann-Margret is tantalizing as the decidedly horny Charming, who lusts after Handsome Stranger. Arnold is appropriately sincere, and dense, as the supposed hero. Some of the supporting roles are really rather brief (you don't see Martin for long). The ones that tend to steal the show are Lynde, and a horse named Ott as Cactus Jacks' not so loyal steed, Whiskey."The Villain" is not always terribly funny, but when it works, it's a riot. There's even a classic "painted tunnel" gag in the Wile E. Coyote tradition!Directed in style by Hal Needham of "Smokey and the Bandit" and "The Cannonball Run" fame.Seven out of 10.

Kirk Douglas and Arnold Schwarzenegger did a movie together?! Yeah I couldn't believe it at first ether. But that's only the tip the ice berg of bizarreness with Cactus Jack. It's also live action Road Runner cartoon! So let's sum this up: "One of the all time Hollywood greats and the granddaddy of cheesy action movies team up for a live action road runner cartoon." How did this movie bypass me for so long?!Douglas wasn't as a big a star as he once was by the 70's so did he take this role due to lack of superior film offerings or was he not ashamed to show that he had a sense of humour about himself. It's also worth noting the relationship he has with his horse in this movie is very reminiscent of another Kirk Douglas film, Lonely are the Brave. I'm also not sure if Arnold Schwarzenegger's lines are intentionally or unintentionally funny. The scene in which he narrates a flashback about when he tried to stop a bunch of horses from injuring woman, children and old men while trying his hardest to emote cracks me up. The main problem with Cactus Jack is that the jokes are very hit and miss. At 85 minutes it's already a short movie but even then it could have trimmed down to meet the requirements of its high concept premise. The road runner inspired gags are undoubtedly the highlight. By far my favourite gag is the classic painting a tunnel onto the side of a rock. Of course having this gag in a cartoon is funny itself however I find having it played out in live action is even funnier in the sense that I couldn't believe they were doing a live action rendition of this joke, having me pondering if that the carriage would really go through that painted tunnel. However is it just me or does the very last gag in the film makes no sense? Why is Kirk Douglas laying a trail of gun powder into a shed full of dynamite when he's using this shed as a hideout...oh never mind. On the whole it's a flawed film but it is Kirk Douglas and Arnold Schwarzenegger in a live action cartoon. Do I even need to say anymore? This is the type of film I could watch more than once purely based on its novelty value.

THE GOOD : Ann Marget looks sexy . Arnold Schwarzenegger fits surprisingly well the role of Handsome Stranger . Kirk Douglas is obviously having fun with his role of Cactus Jack . The acting is the strongest part of the movie. I did laugh two or three times at some less lame jokes .THE BAD : The whole movie feels like a cartoon that was turned into a movie. I like cartoons. Still , I don't like movies that want to look and feel like a cartoon. Why ? The answer is simple – what works in cartoon doesn't work in a movie . The jokes that are funny in the cartoon won't be funny in normal movie simply because they will look stupid . Not to mention that some of the jokes here are taken straight from the cartoons . Take a look at the tunnel joke – I swear it was a rip off from one of the Road Runner cartoons.THE VERDICT : If you can avoid it. Better watch normal cartoon. I give it 1/10.

A classic and memorable characters played by the pros, The most memorable line is that of Nervous Elk (Paul Lynde) who is "watching" Cactus Jack (Kirk Douglas) and all the mayhem he gets into and says "Why does banker want him watched? He needs to be looked after"It's a wonderful movie and extremely hokey/cheesy but excellent entertainment in my opinion If you like the Road Runner Wile E. Coyote cartoons you will definitely add this one to your DVD collectionOh yes look for a current California political figure in the starring role Kirk Douglas steals the show as Cactus jack...a departure from his usual serious fatalist rolesJim