Arrowhead
Arrowhead

Movie spotlight

Arrowhead

1989
Movie
28 min
French

Climber Patrick Edlinger visits various climbing areas in the American West, including Joshua Tree (routes and bouldering), Yosemite (bouldering), Hueco Tanks (bouldering), and Smith Rock (routes). He is seen climbing alongside Russ Clune, Ron Kauk, Jean-Paul Lemercier, and Todd Skinner in numerous sequences accompanied by Native American-inspired music composed by Benoît Fromanger. Less well-known than his two previous films, "La Vie au bout des doigts" and "Opéra Vertical," it remains a benchmark for all climbing enthusiasts and admirers of Edlinger, the world's most famous climber. His familiar voice provides narration throughout many sequences with iconic phrases that encapsulate the man, such as: "Climbing, this useless thing to which I dedicate my life."

Insights

IMDb5.5/10
Director: Leigh JasonGenres: Action, Crime, Thriller

Plot Summary

A young, ambitious cop goes undercover to dismantle a ruthless biker gang involved in drug trafficking and extortion. As he infiltrates their ranks, he finds himself increasingly drawn into their violent world, blurring the lines between his duty and his new allegiances. He must navigate a treacherous path where betrayal lurks at every turn, risking not only his life but also his very soul. The mission becomes a desperate fight for survival against a powerful criminal empire.

Critical Reception

Arrowhead received a mixed to negative reception from critics, who often cited its derivative plot and reliance on violent action tropes. While some acknowledged the energetic direction and Grieco's attempt at a tough-guy persona, the film was generally seen as a formulaic entry in the crime thriller genre of the late 80s, failing to offer significant originality or depth.

What Reviewers Say

  • Lacks originality and feels like a rehash of better biker/undercover cop films.

  • Relies heavily on gratuitous violence and a predictable storyline.

  • Richard Grieco's performance is serviceable but doesn't elevate the material.

Google audience: Audience reviews for Arrowhead are scarce, but those available often describe it as a typical, albeit low-budget, 80s action flick. Viewers generally found it watchable for its action sequences but criticized its predictable plot and lack of memorable characters.

Fun Fact

Richard Grieco's role in 'Arrowhead' predates his more prominent role in the TV series '21 Jump Street', where he played a similar character navigating dangerous undercover operations.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review