Plot: A sheriff tries to stop the killing spree of a silent maniacal murderer who, as the result of secret genetic experimentation by an unethical scientist, has the ability to self-heal.
It’s been many years since I last watched Silent Rage, and I’ve seen several people talking about it recently since the passing Chuck Norris, so I figured it was time for a rewatch.
Often described as Norris vs. Michael Myers, that is an apt description as the influence of John Carpenter is felt in every frame of this with its handheld camera work and synth score.
Although there are several fight scenes, including an epic bar brawl, Silent Rage is almost more of a slasher movie as a resurrected killer goes on a rampage.
The killer, John Kirby (Brian Libby) starts off as a man on the edge struggling with his own sanity; I love the build up of tension in the opening scene as he is surrounded by loud children and noise which drives him to pick up an axe. He has a showdown with the Sheriff (Norris) who tries to arrest him, but his deputies end up shooting him. Thought dead John is resurrected by some crazed scientists with the late, great Ron Silver the only sane one trying to stop them.
The pacing is a little slow at times, but I have never enjoyed this movie more then I did on this viewing; it holds up surprisingly well and I think it just might be one of Chuck’s more underappreciated movies. Everything about it is understated with no huge action scenes, but as I said the bar fight is the action highlight. Chuck has a final battle with John which I do think is a little anti-climactic for the fact we never really get a proper payoff. It’s very much open for a sequel which we never got although some have said Hero and the Terror is seen as a quasi-sequel.
Also, is this the most boobalicious Chuck Norris movie? I can’t remember so much nudity in his other pictures which is another star in its favour.
Overall, Silent Rage may be more slasher flick than all-out actioner, but the bar fight is awesome and the final fight between Norris and the Kirby delivers the goods. It’s too bad John Kirby doesn’t get a proper send off and the pacing is a little slow at times, but this still holds up surprisingly well.