THE LOST PLATOON (1990) **

Hollander (William Knight) is an American war journalist sent on assignment to Nicaragua.  Really, he’s just there to find a platoon of unkillable soldiers who have fought together in various wars throughout the centuries. Hancock (David Parry), the leader of the troops, just so happened to save Hollander’s life in WWII.  He offers him an opportunity to join the unit and take down an evil vampire dictator.

The Lost Platoon has an intriguing premise, but the follow-through from director David A. (Future Force) Prior is a bit lacking.  Mixing horror and action (although the film leans heavier into the realm of action) was a novel idea.  It’s just a shame that the low budget (not to mention Prior’s uninspired direction) can’t keep up with the film’s scope.

The fact that we’re dealing with a squadron of vampire soldiers sort of makes this a half-assed amalgam of Near Dark (or maybe The Lost Boys) and Platoon. Since it’s a cheap AIP production, whatever potential the premise had is squandered pretty quickly.  The bland performances don’t help matters and the action set pieces, while competent, lack any real sizzle.  (I did like the part where Hancock caught a grenade and casually tossed it back.)

The most frustrating aspect for me was that the horror elements were too much too low key.  The film only really veers into horror territory in the third act, but by then it’s honestly too little too late.  Some promising plot points, like the villain’s sexy vampire mistress, are sadly underutilized, and the finale is underwhelming. 

Many of the effects are lame too.  There’s a scene where the vampire “floats” that just looks like he’s riding a skateboard.  The staking scene is kind of fun, but these little moments are few and far between.  Oh, and the Evil Dead-inspired POV steady-cam camerawork quickly wears out its welcome.