Solo MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 Content: -2

The Army thinks it has developed the perfect soldier, a life-like cyborg made of polymers and computer chips. But they made one mistake when they created Solo (Mario Van Peebles): they gave their killing machine the ability to learn. When he disobeys orders because it will sacrifice innocent lives, Solo jeopardizes a secret mission against rebel forces in South America. Project leader General Haynes (Barry Corbin) orders Solo's creator to reprogram the cyborg so the incident will not be repeated. Realizing this will erase his memory, Solo escapes to the jungle. Still damaged and losing power, he collapses near a village of small farmers who are being terrorized by the rebels. In exchange for the electricity he needs to survive, Solo gives the villagers some military-style training to fight back. He also starts learning about human concepts like self-sacrifice, deception and laughter. Leading a team ordered to recover Solo, cold-hearted Colonel Madden (William Sandler) decides to destroy the cyborg instead. Van Peebles' physical presence is impressively suitable for his character, but the film-makers don't give Solo enough opportunities to demonstrate his abilities in a colorful fashion. The simplistic story combines elements of RAMBO and TERMINATOR 2, but is predictable and lacks any unique style.

For a PG-13 film, SOLO has a high level of violence and multiple killings. Although very little blood is shown, some of these deaths are nevertheless unnecessarily gratuitous. Several men are strangled or shot, while another has a machete implanted in his chest. In a battle between farmers and rebels, many are injured with flaming arrows and gunfire. A soldier has his back broken in brutal fashion, but doesn't die until his neck is also snapped. A Catholic priest is shown in a mostly positive light helping the villagers. An old woman performs a funeral ritual over Solo's body when they think he's dead, but it's unclear what religion she's practicing. Foul language is not overwhelming, but there are a dozen crudities and several obscenities and regular profanities. Combined with the excessively violent content, it makes SOLO a less than heroic effort.

Preview Reviewer: Mark Perry
Distributor: Triumph Films, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232