THE STABILIZER is a cheapjack Indonesian action thriller that feels like it wants to be the next Stallone movie a la COBRA. The hero of the piece is played by the inimitable Peter O'Brian, a man who would take Stallone imitations to the next level with his role in his subsequent production, THE INTRUDER, a straight RAMBO rip-off which has to be seen to be believed. THE STABILIZER isn't quite as bad/good as that movie, but it does have its moments.I suppose O'Brian does look a bit like Stallone if you squint very hard and ignore his height and his lean frame. Here, he plays a fuzzy-haired crime fighter with the titular moniker who spends the running time hunting for a drug smuggler with the unlikely name of Greg Rainmaker. Dana Christina, who had previously appeared in THE WARRIOR, plays a useful ally.What you get here is an exceptionally cheesy action film in the inimitable Indonesian style. It's not as over the top as much fun as the Barry Prima movies of the era, unfortunately, although the stunt scenes of O'Brian jumping his motorbike around are fun. There are a lot of shoot-outs utilising bloody squib hits, some laughable martial arts action, and hints at nudity. The dubbing is exceptionally bad but it's impossible to hate a film in which the hero has a framed photo of himself wielding a gun while wearing a fishnet top.

Abysmal Indonesian action film from legendary Arizal triumphantly sculpts a template for future Cinemax pap like 'China O'Brien' and 'Do or Die' with Erik Estrada while simultaneously burying poor rising action star Pat O'Brien with a hackneyed backyard script and three cans of hair-styling gel to perm his impressive 1984 mullet. This guy's physical prowess resembles a more femme Mark Gregory and his next credit would be second fiddle to Chris Mitchum as "Tom Selick." Powerful. At least the action is mindless and non-stop with some daring Asian stuntmen risking their lives for what is essentially a poorly constructed movie by teens and/or meth addicts with no concept of reality. One poor extra gets gorno-ly shredded by an electric hedge clipper and many more are killed by getting hit in the head by odd objects such as a motorcycle wheel or cardboard box. Classic rape scenes are tasteless and priceless and quotable dialog such as, "I would rather trust a rattlesnake!" are delivered with such exuberance and fervor from the third-rate polizioteschi voice actors. Random highlight: some crazy dude eating live lizards. Movie also holds the record for most cars driven through walls. 2/10

This is one of those gems that I am always waiting to find- I found a diamond here! I am pretty certain that this film was released to be taken as serious as any other action movie from the early 80s. But some of the dubbed in dialogue ishilarious, I am smiling right now as I think about some of the lines. Whatever the case may be, it is an all around entertaining movie that I am glad I added to my collection.For those who like to watch Italian action cinema from the 70s and 80s, youprobably will get a kick out of this too. The same goes to blaxploitation fans as well. I found myself rewinding and re-watching scenes over again. There arelots of scenes that will make you want to take a second look. There really is too many things in this film that had me rolling. Troma offers this on DVD now at a really low price. Definately worth it. Enjoy!

Do you like explosions? How about fighting? Well, this movie has both of those. You know the other thing you can't have a movie without: a kick ass motorcycle, the type that bounces off someone's head and knocks them out at the same time. You bet the Stabilizer has one. There's even a classic cliff scene.All in all, I'm quite proud that I have even seen this movie...and even prouder to have my review be the first one...YES!