THE DETONATOR

US, 2006, 91 minutes, Colour.
Wesley Snipes, Sylvia Colloca, Tim Dutton, William Hope, Michael Brandon.
Directed by Po- Chih Leong.

The Detonator is a straight-to-DVD action thriller, filmed in Romania. This is a by-the-numbers action adventure – and a sign that Wesley Snipes’ career was in a downslide. Po- Chih Leong, English-born but working for many decades in Hong Kong before returning to Europe, has directed a number of effective films in the past, especially in Hong Kong but also the British films, Ping Pong and The Wisdom of Crocodiles. However, in later years he has directed this kind of action material, especially another film made in Romania, Out of Reach, a starring vehicle for Steven Seagal.

The film is complicated in its plotting, showing Wesley Snipes as an agent under cover, trying to unmask a gang which has chemical weapons. There is also a popular European link – ownership of football teams and scenes during the playing of a match.

There is a femme fatale, played by Sylvia Colloca, who takes her husband’s money, falls in love with Snipes as her protector, does a deal in betraying.

The film is not particularly interesting in itself, indicates the nature of Wesley Snipes’ career, shows the popular ingredients for the straight-to-DVD mentality in terms of agencies, intrigue, action.