This is one of those films where you know what you're gonna get by simply looking at the cover of the DVD or tape. Dolph Lundgren looking tan and buff, purportedly standing in front of an explosion out in the desert, with the big block letters of the title. Luckily for me, I enjoy a lot of these B-grade action movies. Army of One is actually better than most such efforts; sure, its predictable and has some goofy moments, but the cast is pretty decent and there is plenty of action. Anyone looking for some car chases, bad guys getting shot up, and explosions shouldn't be disappointed as the filmmakers do an outstanding job where it counts.

The movie starts with Dolph driving a big truck out on a California desert highway with his buddy along for the ride. Luckily, they don't run onto the set of any other B-action movie, this being the region where about a billion such films get made. Their truck gets pulled over by a cop and the men look nervous, as they are hauling something vaguely illegal. Dolph's buddy gets out to fulfill his role as the slain buddy who will drive our hero in his quest for revenge. Dolph also gets shot in the melee and is sent to prison for apparently killing the cop in their gun battle.

Some dirty cops try to kill Dolph while he's being transported to prison, but he gets away, albeit after getting shot again. He runs out through the desert, showing relatively little ill effect from the bullet wound in his abdomen. We can already tell that Dolph can take care of himself, he must be one of those ex-something or others that all action heroes are.

The next day, we meet lovely Kristian Alfonso as she argues with her boyfriend in a diner. She leaves in a huff and heads out to her 4-wheel drive pickup truck. Dolph shows up and forces her over to the passenger side and takes off like a banshee through desert trails; for the next few minutes, we get treated to what seems like a Toyota truck commercial as we see it twist and turn all over the place. It may have been a bit more prudent to slow it down a bit, as all the dust clouds the truck is kicking up would make this wanted man fairly easy to find. He isn't found, though, and winds up at his estranged dad's out-of-the-way place. Thankfully, this family stuff doesn't turn out to be a subplot, just 2 minutes of character development.

We spend some time seeing George Segal! as the lead detective out to get Dolph, now wanted for kidnapping as well as escaping prison; George should be out to get the costumer who told him to wear that silly hat. Geoffrey Lewis is also around as a level-headed sheriff. We learn that Kristian is really a hard-nosed cop who is expert in hand-to-hand combat; she must be another one of those ex-something or others.

The plot thickens a bit as we learn more about the people Dolph is out to get and Kristian becomes more sympathetic to his cause, after the predictable cute arguing between hero and tough chick. There's a little more running and chasing and arguing, and they stop one night at a motel, where we get the mandatory shower scene for Kristian, though don't get too excited as its obviously a body-double's bazongas we get to view.

Jumping later on, we get a big shoot-em-up in a warehouse between Dolph and some Oriental gang that did him wrong. We see about 15 or so of these guys enter, though it seems that Dolph wasted about 40 of `em. We see the usual action movie traits here, guns that seemingly never run out of bullets, dumb bad guys who jump out into the open, firing their weapons out into space, conveniently placed props and guns, and guys jumping or falling through lots of crap. Don't get me wrong, it's all still very cool!

Lots of exotic-looking (though clearly replica) cars get shot up too. I was actually pleased that they weren't shooting up true exotic cars, as I would go nuts thinking about what a waste it would be. For a B-movie, this was actually a pretty cool action scene, they really made an effort in this one.

Eventually we find out who the main bad guy of the movie is (not exactly a big surprise) and we see a cool car chase between a Ferrari replica and a Lamborghini replica; things get kinda wrapped up and sorted out; I guess it turns out that you go free the moment the cops find out you were innocent of the crimes you were convicted and imprisoned for, no court stuff required. Then again, this film does benefit from its brevity; they give us just enough information that we need, not too much fluff. "Army of One", though sometimes goofy, it at least knows what its audience wants, always a good thing.

Unfortunately, Artisan often has no idea what its audience wants, the DVD is mercilessly cut down to pan and scan and the sound and colors seem rather muted, giving this film (which had excellent photography and choreography) the look of a hack TV pilot. Hopefully, someone will bring out a newer widescreen, competent DVD of this fun actioner (though I doubt that someone will be Artisan)

Movie - four stars
DVD - two stars

I like Army of One the best out of all of Dolph Lundgren's films, it's one of the best action thriller movies I've seen and it's all high caliber action right from the start to finish.
Wellman Santee's (Dolph Lundgren)partner is killed during a botched heist and Santee is convicted of a crime he didn't commit. He escapes from prison and takes a woman (Kristian Alfonso)hostage not knowing she is a police officer and takes off across the desert in a high-speed race for his life while trying to set a trap to get revenge against the corrupt detective who sent him to jail. I like the car chases even better than in Gone in 60 Seconds. Also starring in this movie is Ken Foree of the original Dawn of the Dead, I just knew this movie was going to be good when I found out that he was in it and if you like these action type of movies then I also highly recommend Hangfire, Terror Squad and True Blood all of which also star Ken Foree in them and all of them are absolutely brilliant some of the best movies I have ever seen!
I prefer the DVD format which has special features but unfortunately this particular version is not so good so I ordered the other DVD version as well!

Does anyone know if Kristian Alfonso is in this film? If she is , is she good? Thanks! Bye!

Why oh why is this in pan and scan only. This is a 2.35:1 framed movie and the well balanced and well composed cinematography is completely ruined on this DVD. About half the movie is missing. I love Joshua Tree but I won't buy this DVD. Artisan must understand this simply won't do. Sadly, the only widescreen version out there is the Japanese Laserdisc. And that's LONG out of print.

I'll make it quick seeing as how what I have to say is already echoed in many other reviews for this DVD. Joshua Tree is one of the best action movies ever. And this DVD is NOT the way to watch it for several reasons.

Title-Army of one, which is not the title of this movie at all. Joshua Tree makes more sense and is not as crass as 'Army of One'.

Picture-The movie was filmed in Clairmont-Scope with an aspect ratio of 2.35:1. This DVD presents the movie in pan and scan format. Not 'fullscreen', which implies the movie was shot the way it is presented here. It wasn't.

Sound-Absolutely terrible. Muffled, almost totally mono in nature and does Joel Goldsmith's awesome score no justice. The sound design of this film had the potential to be marvellous. But this DVD sounds like a temporary/work in progress, rough mix.

Extras-Only a trailer (which calls the movie by it's REAL name). I remember seeing a documentary on Sky Movies about the making of this film. There were extensive behind the scenes footage and interviews with Vic Armstong (Die Another Day, Gangs of New York). Artisan could have dug this up and along with OAR, a 5.1 soundtrack, some motion menus and possibly a commentary it would have made a very respectable release which I'm sure would have sold well.

Though I doubt this will ever happen. But I would not suggest buying this DVD. That would only prove to Artisan that pan and scan sells.