Usa World Premiere Movie Chrome Soldiers

 ((Wed. (6), 9-11 p.m., USA))

By TONY SCOTT

Filmed on location in Portland, Ore., by Wilshire Court Prods. Supervising producer, Dori Weiss; producer, Derek Kavanagh; co-producer-director, Thomas J. Wright; writer, Nick Randall; based on screenplay by Ross LaManna & John McCormick and Jonas McCord.
 
Cast: Gary Busey, Ray Sharkey, William Atherton, Yaphet Kotto, Norman Skaggs, Nicholas Guest, D. David Morin, Kim Robillard, Tony Soper, Shawna Schuh, Joe Ivy , Karen Trumbor, Dylan Taylor, Gary Lee Dansenburg, Robert James White, Enrique Arias, Doug Rouhier, Marjorie Johnson, Galen Schrick, Vana O'Brien, Anthony Curry, Roy McGillivray, J.W. Crawford, Mark Allen, Ali Kinney, Craig Damon, T. Julian Wright.
 

A western on wheels, "Chrome Soldiers" follows the cycle tracks of a Desert Storm Air Force colonel whose brother was murdered. The colonel's four buddies, with him back in 'Nam, gallop to his aid on their motorcycle steeds, but it's a humdrum trek to the end of the trail.

The concept's good enough; it should be since it's been used so often. Col. Gordon (Gary Busey) rushes to his brother's survivors in a small Oregon town and summons that diverse, farflung, now-civvie group of Chrome Soldiers. It seems the dead man was also a member of that tight fraternity with cousins in everything from Jason's Argonauts to the Dirty Dozen.

Gordon's brother's murderers aren't subtle since everyone in town seems to realize who they are. Folks at home will spot them instantly not only because of director Thomas J. Wright's spotlighting them but by their blatant thesping. The motive for the murder becomes glaringly clear, and Gordon, once he realizes why his brother died, goes after the killers with a weak plan that of course works.

Busey remains firm and unflinching throughout, with the script suggesting he'll eventually pick up with a local girl he once courted. The other buddies are played by Ray Sharkey, Yaphet Kotto, Nicholas Guest and D. David Morin. The sheriff's played with commendable assurance by William Atherton, and Kim Robillard contributes an OK if brief entry as Gordon's brother Stony. Gordon's grateful sister-in-law is played by beautiful Shawna Schuh.

Tech credits are fine.

Camera, Billy Dickson; editors, Scott Eyler, Gregory F. Plotts; sound, Walter Hoylman; music, Steve Dorff; production designer, James Shanahan.