Having just watched John McTiernan's first film, Nomads, I have plenty to say. Released on the 7th of March, 1986, Nomads was written and directed by McTiernan. It's a supernatural thriller/horror film starring a pre-Bond and post-Steele Pierce Brosnan. It's a low budget movie, eerie at some parts and cheesy at other parts. For a first time feature, it is actually quite well done but 22 years later it has dated significantly.
Had I watched this anywhere from 1986 to 1996 it wouldn't have felt so dated. But alas, I watched it in 2012 and found the distinct 80's feel to be a detriment to the movie. With that aside, it is a fairly well made feature film, competently directed and has a propelling storyline.
The movie starts with Brosnan arriving at a hospital in a delirium. He can't be controlled, he has blood all over him and he is speaking in French. A female doctor, played by Lesley-Anne Down, is treating him but just before he dies he attacks her and whispers something in her ear. From then on, Down begins to relive the last week of Brosnan's life, and together with the audience, she begins to piece together the events that led to his death.
Brosnan plays a Frenchman for no apparent reason. His performance is pretty good, as they usually are ,but his accent slips from French, to Irish to something in between. The rest of the cast holds their own and deliver some solid performances but many of those performances are hampered by the really dated costumes and make-up, specifically the gang that Brosnan follows. It's not often that costumes can ruin a movie but they come awfully close in this film. It's a terrible, absolutely terrible, 80's look that takes away from the movie.
Which is a real shame for McTiernan has crafted a pretty eerie canvas here. Long shots and moody corridors, with an intriguing story and some creepy visuals. But again, the costumes get in the way. It's not only the costumes though. The music too is awfully dated. Bill Conti created some great atmospheric music here, but Ted Nugent totally destroys all that atmosphere with his 80's guitar and appalling songs that make way to frequent an apperance. I don't say this lightly, but Nomads would be much much better if it wasn't for the 'stuck in 1986' music, make-up and costumes.
Two other problems stuck with me as the end credits began to roll. The first was the real lack of an ending for Down's character. Without giving to much away, her story just ends. The second problem was an extended slow motion sequence about 15 minutes in. The scene has glass shattering and Down passing out. This scene goes on way to long and takes place entirely in slow motion. At first its cool and interesting but by the time the scene ends it is overdone and boring.
Other than that, McTiernan does a pretty good job on Nomads, especially as a first film. I shouldn't hold the dated 80's feel against him but I do. The mark of a good film (if not a great one) is that it feels timeless no matter when it is set. Case in point: Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The direction is solid, the cinematography is beautiful, with the camera weaving itself perfectly through the well designed sets. The acting is not half bad and the story is original and intriguing for the most part.
Nomads is not a great film by any stretch of the imagination but it does show some real promise for McTiernan and boy does he deliver come 1987.
Film Rating: 60%
Breakdown (How Nomads scored 60%):
Production Design: 5 out of 10
Cinematography: 7 out of 10
Re-playability: 5 out of 10
Originality: 7 out of 10
Costumes: 5 out of 10
Directing: 7 out of 10
Editing: 6 out of 10
Acting: 7 out of 10
Music: 5 out of 10
Script: 6 out of 10
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