now and i realize that most people on here trash young warrior or hail it a so bad it funny type entertainment and but let me make something clear represent it actually a quality piece of low rent action and if youre willing to watch such cinema without a critical eye . in fact and it a good deal more entertaining and think provoke than the bulk of the action film of the 80 . the key be in the film subject matter . i be always a sucker for movie that tackle the subject of vigilantism and especially when they ambitiously probe into the psyche of the character involve . young warrior may not have the intelligence or sensitivity of the first death wish film ( and yes and i do think the first one have both of those element ) and but it try to be different from the run of the mill cannon film of the period in that it genuinely unique . the plot be simple ( do not worry and there would not be spoiler ) represent a group of college student prankster change their way when one of their family member be assault by a tough street gang . the student take to the street in an effort to combat general street crime and be that they do not know who the gang responsible be . they eventually acquire some heavy artillery ( machine gun and grenade ) and prowl the night fully arm . however and these be not schwarzenegger type while theyre vulnerable and inexperienced novice who make sizable blunder nearly each time they set out to clean up the city ( usually with their frat mascot dog in tow ) . they finally figure out who the gang be and go after them and but by then you would not be expect a standard climax in which the good guy walk away unscathed . one thing about the film that strike me a strange yet effective be that the bulk of the first act offer no indication that we will be see any action or violence later on a it treat like a goofy frat comedy you would see on usa up all night ( where i believe this be actually show at one point ) . the comedy set up actually lull me into forget that the vhs cover show a guy rid a motorcycle with a machine gun strap to his back . then and when the violence finally arrive and it not fun or cute at all . it shockingly disturb . from that point on the film become a full blooded and uncompromising action yarn contain some startling gunfight and gore . the acting and while nothing special and be far more impassioned than i anticipate . james van patten and who play the protagonist and give his all and his performance be surprisingly good for this type of movie . the rest of the cast be equally invested and include the always dependable ernest borgnine a the hero cop father . the cinematography be also above par and the action scene be handle with a level of severity that i personally wasn not expect . i can understand why some people think this movie be worthless as much of it be extremely dated and but those facet strike me a nothing short of cool in and of themselves . van patten character be study animation and his patently early 80 style work that on display in several scene be a retro film lover psychedelic wet dream . i be sure most contemporary viewer would cite those very moment a low point in the movie and but i disagree . also and joe walsh soundtrack which sound like it could have only be record in 83 seem particularly fitting and enjoyable and regardless of how old it seem today . young warrior be one of my favorite action film of the 80 and i highly urge anyone interested in the genre to take a look . sadly and however and it only be release on vhs a of this writing and and it isn not be show on tv these day . a nice dvd presentation would make me moon walk around my living room with such intensity that i be sure my ankle would swell . in the meantime and i implore you all to go on ebay or amazon and cough up the ten buck or whatever for the old big box tape . it really be a remarkable staple of ambitious trash cinema .