"Poliziotto superpiù" is, as you certainly guessed from the title already, an Italian movie, even if there are all several other influences as well. Just check the other production countries and there is also some English dialogue in here. The movie is longer than 1.5 hours, but stays under the 100-minute mark. Do not get confused if you are a German citizen like myself. Here they went with the title Supercop (not German, but still), fitting name if you look at the imdb poster, but it has nothing to do with Miami Supercops, a more famous film that also stars Terence Hill in the lead. The key difference, however, is that that one includes Bud Spencer and here Buddy is not part of the cast. Hill is the only lead, but it is still a bit of a two-man show because the biggest supporting player is Oscar winner Ernest Borgnine. Director and co-writer is Sergio Corbucci and it is by far not the only time he has worked with Hill obviously. As for the rest of the cast, you will not find any big names there. But you will find Sal Borgese for example whose includion emphasizes the Italian-American background to this film. Of course, Hill is also Italian. Borgese also acted alongside Hill on other occasions. Joanne Dru has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and she looks good for her age, but she had to as she was playing a film star in here, even if she was not half as famous as her character in this one. Movie buffs will perhaps recognize a few more faces. As this film is from 1980, this means that it is over 40 years old now and also means that it was from long after Hill's western days (even if he still loves eating beans in this film) and also he did not make too many films with Bud Spencer afterwards anymore. However, the tone to this one felt extremely similar to the tone in those films. This certainly has to do with Corbucci being the man in charge. Still I must say I somehow expected something pretty different from the photo and description here on imdb. Maybe don't read it or you will constantly wonder when Borgnine's character dies. It does not feel like a fantasy or sci-fil film at all despite the obvious plot points, but had a realistic touch to it all and was also a lot about the comedy. Hill was even nominated for a prestigious(?) award for his portrayal. Then again, people loved him back then of course. Especially here in Germany.
The idea here is that we have a man who happens to witness a nuclear explosion from very close. Too close perhaps. Or actually not because the effect on him is that he is basically unkillable from that moment on. He is suspected to have killed his partner and quickly sentenced to death, but he survives all the executions obviously and every time he gets away, he tries to find out what really happened to his partner. And solve several crimes at the same time. His character does have one Achilles heel though and that is the color red. Whenever he sees it, his immortality is revoked. We don't find out why. The consequence is a pretty smart inclusion for example of how one character tries to smuggle in a bouquet of red flowers to the most recent of his executions. How Hill's character dealt with this scenario was also pretty typical for him. He never loses his cool. This "gift" came from a very special actress who is in fact a main antagonist as we find out in the later stages of the film. In fact, this movie is at least two thirds flashback. It starts in the now, but quickly switches to Hill's character telling us all about him and how he ended up in this bizarre situation. When this narration is finally finished, we know all about him (Alex Mack, anyone?) and the final act begins and in that one justice is served obviously. And once again in the very last scene Hill is unkillable and ends up somewhere at the other end of the world in another comedic inclusion. Oh wait, the actually final scene is a jump forward in time. Something that may have felt like a forced and rushed happy ending from a romantic point of view, something I have seen so many times in films and it sucked, but the truth is here it is really just a way to get in another funny moment with the very last revelation and shot. Or the one before that. I am of course talking about the bride's red hair. The actual last shot was Hill staring into the camera in disbelief thus breaking the fourth wall, which was funny too.
By the way, the actress who plays the love interest here was Julie Gordon. Not too much known about her anymore and her career ended quickly. Looking at her age in this film, she could very well be alive today nonetheless. I think she was way younger than Hill in here and he is still alive in his early 80s now and hopefully still stays a little bit longer with us as well. Perhaps what is most memorable from this film is the absurdity of some scenes. Maybe the number one is when Hill's character is talking to a fish and this is also one of his superpowers. Not just that he knows elephants are approaching. Or that he can empty an entire football stadium from one second to the next. Including the players. Or that he knows exactly who is calling him. Or that he can change the course of a dog race in a way for his buddy to make a fortune. Not for himself obviously. He is not greedy, but likable. There are many other examples of what superpowers he had. No specific focus on one. So yes, it is indeed maybe the gimmicky component of this film that made it most interesting. Also look at the music. The theme song you hear on a few occasions is one that fits in nicely with the film. It is on the easy, cool side pretty much, but never takes itself seriously. Just like the movie. Of course, it has to take itself a bit seriously at least with the crime component and everything related to it, so that it does not feel too stupid. But still the comedy prevails. Just look at the moment when Hill's character is plastered all over his body. Not sure this is the right term, but you know what I mean. Like every bone is broken and the doctor says he should not be alive anymore in fact, but somehow scientists never wonder about Hill's character's condition. He does not even try to keep it a secret. He tells it to his girlfriend. He even shows his boss what he is capable of and this actually results to the state I just described. A bit of a rarity though. You never really see Hill's character physically harmed in other films, especially not when he is starring alongside Bud Spencer.
Then there's also a few cool quotes here. I could list many examples, but as I love movie theaters, I will just go with the one Hill's character makes about going to the cinema when an antagonist's head ends up inside a television. Alright, what else can I say about the outcome here. Something very typical is that despite serious inclusions such as the death penalty and the title character's best buddy being presumed dead and killed, this film is as harmless as it gets (the most harmful thing could have been a Cold War-related comment on Cuba) and that is something very usual for Spencer/Hill projects, especially after their western days. The aforementioned buddy is rescued and revived despite being frozen for quite some time. Another superpower? Incredible! The bad guys are not killed, just brought to justice and they know they are doomed the moment they hear on television about the spectacular flight and rescue. Oh yes, a moment as brief as funny was when Hill tells the apparently pretty stupid bad guys (except the leader(s) they always are a bit dumb in these films) the difference between left foot and right foot and they make things even worse then. I found this probably funnier than I should have, but it was a perfect example of the fairly harmless comedy to these films. I surely like the approach. This is why I give this movie a thumbs-up. Normally I am more interested in Bud Spencer movies, but thought as this was on tonight (not the only time in 2021 by far), why not give it a go. I am not disappointed by any means and well done with the writing all in all and Hill carrying this film and just the occasional cult potential. Go see it if you like Terence. Or I could also say Mario Girotti. No hesitation for me here in handing out a positive recommendation this time. Oh and was that indeed a gigantic pink bubble gum bubble towards the end that they were flying on above the city? Man, I want to do that as well. So badly! I also want to catch a bullet with my teeth. That's all now. Happy 2022 to everybody who reads this or whatever year it is when you read this review of mine. Fun film from the very early 1980s.
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