Michael Biehn doesn’t get enough respect as an actor. For 40+ years he’s been entertaining us, but he rarely gets recognised in mainstream media. I’ve always thought the guy was criminally underrated, both as a thespian and action star, and I went on a bit of Biehn kick of late and watched a heap of his films.
These are the roles that stuck with me the most.
1. The Terminator
Biehn does a heap of heavy lifting in this pic. Kyle Reese is a tragic hero, weighed down with the knowledge that society won’t make it into the future, and Biehn perfectly realises this tragic, vulnerable hero and gives an expressive and haunting performance as the doomed Reese. I missed his character in the sequel as I felt he gave the series a human edge.
2. The Fan
Before it was cool to play nutty psycho-types, Biehn smashed it out of the park with his unhinged portrayal of an obsessive fan who stalks his favourite actress (Lauren Bacall) in this lost 80’s gem. Biehn is so good he manages to make his character, Douglas Breen, both sympathetic and terrifying.
3. Tombstone
Whenever someone says Tombstone, the first thing I think of is the rivalry between Doc Holliday and Johnny Ringo. Ringo, in anyone elses hands, could have been a totally forgettable, two-dimensional bad guy, but Biehn’s belief in his character, and ability to play someone so cocky and evil, makes Ringo highly memorable in a film overflowing with memorable characters and action. His showdown with Kilmer is one of cinemas most iconic moments in my opinion.
4. Navy SEALS
Biehn reportedly hated making this film so it’s another mean feat that he managed to deliver such a great performance. In a movie that’s essentially a two-hour, flag-waving, cartoon, Biehn keeps things serious and real with his gritty turn as the boss of the SEALS. I’m not disparaging Biehn’s feelings about the film as they are his own, and he was there from inception to completion, but I personally love this film. It was a childhood favourite and it still holds up now.
5. Timebomb
Another forgotten 90’s gem. Biehn is great as Eddie Kaye, a mild-mannered watch repairer who learns he was once a deadly government assassin. MGM wanted Norris or Van Damme for this originally, but Biehn owns the role, making Eddie a relatable every man, in spite of his lethal skills as a killer. Biehn is most definitely the film’s biggest asset and elevates the familiar material above it’s B-movie roots.
Notable mentions must go to The Rock, Aliens and The Abyss. He was great in those too!!
