Dolph Lundgren was attracted to the project because it gave him the opportunity to try new things, such as comedy and romance, beyond his usual stern, tough-guy roles.
The Christmas setting is used to give the film a sense of time and place, juxtaposing the holiday's artificial joy with the film's themes of horror, sci-fi, and action.
The film fits into the Christmas action movie subgenre, similar to 'Die Hard' and 'Lethal Weapon,' which also use the holiday setting to enhance their action-packed narratives.
The film follows Detective Jack Kane, played by Dolph Lundgren, as he investigates a series of murders linked to an alien drug dealer who harvests endorphins from human brains.
The alien drug dealer uses a weapon that injects victims with heroin and then extracts endorphins from their brains, which are used to create a powerful space drug called Barsi.
Jack Kane is more versatile, attempting comedy and romance, unlike Lundgren's previous roles where he played stern, humorless characters like Ivan Drago.
The FBI, represented by Agent Switzer and Agent Smith, initially takes over the investigation, leading to clashes with Detective Kane over protocol and evidence handling.
Craig R. Baxley, a third-generation stuntman and stunt coordinator, ensures that the film's action sequences are top-notch, with numerous explosions and high-quality pyrotechnics.
Diane Pallone, the coroner, is Detective Kane's love interest and provides crucial forensic insights that help solve the case, despite her initial skepticism about the alien involvement.
The film features a score by Jan Hammer, known for his work on 'Miami Vice,' which includes moody, synth-heavy tracks that enhance the film's 80s action and sci-fi atmosphere.
Christmas is a time for comfort and joy, sure, but it’s also a time for holiday-themed action films and drug-dealing space giants. In this classic holiday episode of Weirdhouse Cinema, Rob and Joe discuss the 1990 sci-fi film “I Come in Peace '' starring Dolph Lundgren, Brian Benben, Betsy Brantley and Matthias Hues. (originally published 12/08/2023)
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