Cage (1989)

Cage is a typical, subpar '80s underground fighting flick in every sense except for one -- it features Lou Ferrigno in one of his most challenging roles to date. Acting really never was Lou's strongest point, thanks in part to his speech impediment and extreme hearing loss, but if there was any role to stretch the bodybuilder's chops, it would be the main character here, Billy. Beefed up with extreme muscles, but with the brainpower of a child, Billy plays to Ferrigno's weaknesses and gives him the opportunity to emote far more than any role that he was offered before or since. Now this isn't to say that the performance is great -- in fact, it offers endless bits of hilarity in the form of everything from repeated gay subtext to a tender scene showcasing some real Ferrigno tears -- nevertheless, it is an admirable feat from the forgotten action hero. Other noteworthy credits belong to the mini-Die Hard reunion that features both James Shigeta and famed stuntman/bit actor Al Leong, along with a brief appearance by future Robert Rodriguez collaborator Danny Trejo. Cage is known to most that know it to be a laughable mess, though it was somehow successful enough to sport a sequel four years later with Cage 2: Arena of Death. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide