BLAST

US, 1998, 94 minutes, Colour.
Lyndon Ashby, Andrew Divoff, Kimberley Warren, Rutger Hauer, Tim Thommerson.
Directed by Albert Pyun.

Blast is a story about the Atlanta Olympics - a story that never happened. The prologue points out the dangers for terrorism at Olympic Games and suggests that this scenario is something that could have happened.

The film focuses on the taking over of the aquatic centre, the abduction of the American women's swimming team and their being held hostage. The president is due to arrive, the opening ceremony is due to happen. In the meantime, the chief terrorist, who has an enormous European and worldwide reputation, overlooks one of the janitors, thinking that he is not important. However, this janitor is an ex-athlete and, of course, he saves the day American-style.

Lyndon Ashby is the rather stolid hero, Kimberley Warren his ex-wife who is the coach of the swimming team. Rutger Hauer gives another eccentric performance as a paraplegic director of counter-terrorism.

The film has the usual suspects, shows them in action with bombs, a well thought out plan, the taking over of the centre, the ruthlessness in dealing with the hostages. However, their skills are finally no match for the janitor. The film was directed by Albert Pyun, a veteran of many popular movies, often straight to video, ranging from sword and sorcery films to science fiction and action dramas.

1. An entertaining "what if" scenario? Terrorism at Olympic Games? The contrast with the actuality of Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney in the 1990s? Terrorism in the light of 11 September, 2001?

2. The Atlanta setting, the aquatic centre, the preparation for the Olympic Games, the mayor's office? The drama, the use of the space for suspense, chases? The action sequences?

3. The title and its dramatic impact?

4. The focus on Jack Bryant, waking up, his bitterness about the past, his ex-wife? His going to work, being on the staff of the event, the discussions with Nina? The briefing, going to work, seeing Nina shot? His reaction, his skills, his ingenuity? The fact that he was being monitored by the cameras and by the woman at control? In the basement, overcoming those pursuing him? His relationship with his ex-wife, seeing her come with the team, the coach boyfriend? The terrorist and his using the ex-wife as a bait? Jack and his using the mobile phone to reach headquarters? Leo and his advice? His shutting down the power, the continued pursuit, disabling the computers? The devices for letting in the FBI and others? The confrontation with the terrorist, his ex-wife and her being set up with bombs? The happy reconciliation? The single-handed American hero?

5. Diane, with the team, Bill, her regard for her ex-husband, the bitter words? His feeling sorry for himself? Her not being able to cope? The takeover, the shooting of the hostage, Diane and her helping the team, trying to work out an escape? The terrorist and his knowing who she was? The confrontation, with the bombs, the finale in the pool? The reconciliation with Jack?

6. Leo, in his wheelchair, in the phone interventions, authorities and their attitude towards him? Advice, the plan of the basement, talking to Jack? His final arrival, the confrontation with the terrorist, the exploding wheelchair?

7. The terrorists, their motivations, reputation? The plan, the personnel, the security guard, the takeover, the woman in control? Everything being monitored? The demands, the alleged social justice issues? The situation with the president and other world leaders coming? The mayor and her helplessness, the other authorities? Their inability to do anything? Jack and his help? The reaction of the terrorist, sending others to pursue Jack, using his wife, the final confrontation and his death?

8. The popularity of this kind of action adventure, the Die Hard tradition - in a "what if" Olympic Games situation?