Along with the same year's Next of Kin, Road House was an attempt to transform Patrick Swayze into a big-name action star. It didn't quite work as he'd have his biggest career hit the next year with the supernatural romance of Ghost but there's a reason that this still carries a cult following to this day as there's something for every undiscriminating movie fan from the chintzy dialogue, at times awkwardly staged fight scenes, a buff Swayze shirtless for the ladies, and even a throat ripping. We all know that Road House isn't a very good movie but it's definitely an entertaining one - which helps to explain the presence of a mostly unrelated direct-to-DVD sequel being released over fifteen years later.

Swayze plays Dalton, one of the most respected "coolers" (in other words, the lead bouncer) in the business. He's approached by the owner of the Double Deuce with an offer that will see him coming to the bar and helping clean it up, get rid of the riff-raff, and make it a respectable place to visit. Seems like an easy task for a guy who is known for kicking some ass while remaining cool and calm, not drinking, and having little tolerance for miscreants. He quickly starts making changes only to find his job is about to get a lot more difficult after running afoul of wealthy bully Brad Wesley (Ben Gazzara).

Seems Wesley has been using his thugs to extort cash from the local businesses and his egotistical ways just don't jibe with Dalton. This gives director Rowdy Herrington chance to stage numerous explosions and action sequences when our hero decides to take matters into his own hands and get rid of Wesley for good after our baddie goes loony blowing up the nearby auto parts shop and having one of his lackeys drive a monster truck through a car dealership. On our way to a pleasing showdown that's heavy on the violence (and silliness) we're treated to bar brawls, a running gag where everyone tells Dalton "I thought you'd be bigger", Kelly Lynch playing the prerequisite love interest (and getting a much remembered nude scene) as the local doctor, many scenes of a half-naked Swayze either punching people or doing some form of spiritual bullshit, and Sam Elliott exuding cool as Dalton's old friend and mentor Wade Garrett.

As our mulleted hero, Swayze seems to be enjoying himself but he's upstaged by the veterans of the cast as Gazarra chews on, and spits out, scenery every chance he gets while Elliott basically does what he does best playing the gruff, down-to-earth type he's become known for - take a quick look at his resume for proof and be sure to check out the satisfying "buddy" flick Shakedown he co-starred in with Peter Weller (Robocop) the year prior for more Sam Elliott goodness. But even they can't compete with the absolute insanity that is Marshall Teague as Wesley's henchman Jimmy. Spending most of the film delivering beat-downs to people or laughing crazily he's given the flick's single most bizarre moment when he grabs Dalton during their big fight and bluntly says to him: "I used to f*ck guys like you in prison."

Let's make something clear here, Road House is a whole lot of sloppy that plays it loose and fast. This doesn't mean it's not immensely watchable, it just means that unless you have a love for B-grade action flicks that don't seem to take themselves that seriously you're probably better off passing this by. To his credit Herrington keeps things moving but there's absolutely no reason for this to be almost two hours long. There's plenty of padding (most of it being musical performances by Jeff Healey, a blind bluesman from Canada) and Lynch's part isn't at all important but it's hard to deny the unintentional chuckles the script by David Lee Henry (Out for Justice) and Hilary Henkin supplies and there's enough outrageous action sequences to keep you engaged. It's a lunkheaded popcorn flick that does its job. (Chris Hartley, 2/28/11)

Directed By: Rowdy Herrington.
Written By: David Lee Henry, Hilary Henkin.

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Ben Gazzara, Kelly Lynch, Kevin Tighe.