This film has Sam Raimi as a Charles Manson-like figure with a big gang taking on a Vietnam veteran and his gang in Bruce Campbell's backyard. Tons of blood, death, and some nice gore happens. What more do you need to know? I really have nothing else to say that could make you see this. You've already made up your mind. This film is filled with tons of hilarious segments, including some army men doing kung-fu. The last 30 minutes or so of this film is just violent scene after violent scene, and here's the thing: it never gets old. I've seen so many films where the action gets pretty old after a while. After 500 explosions or so, I usually get tired. In fact, war films are probably the most notorious for this, featuring way too many deaths and action scenes and not enough compelling moments. But this film is actually entertaining in so many ways that I can't not recommend it. It's another film you'll want all your friends to watch. Just a straight-up good time.

Even though it's listed on IMDb as "Stryker's War", my copy is indeed known as "...Thou Shalt Not Kill, EXCEPT" which is probably the best movie title in history. Get this today. Also, check out "Intruder" which also has Sam and Ted and Bruce. Man, they used to all be doing such interesting, awesome things. Now... Spider-Man? Come on.

"Stryker's War", a.k.a. "Thou Shalt Not Kill...Except", is solidly amusing low budget action nonsense that definitely delivers in the laughs department. In fact, it's silly enough for one to believe the filmmakers had their tongues firmly in their cheeks. It's admittedly rather rough, in both the acting and technical departments, but this adds to the appeal if you totally dig wild and wacky B cinema. From a story co-credited to Bruce Campbell, and a screenplay co-written by Scott Spiegel, Josh Becker directs this goofy fun flick that takes place in 1969, after young man Jack Stryker (Brian Schulz) has returned from Vietnam after an honourable discharge. He's soon visited by his wartime comrades, played by Robert Rickman, John Manfredi, and Timothy Patrick Quill. It's a good thing they're around, as soon Jack will go to war with a Manson Family type cult led by an absolutely priceless Sam Raimi in a hilarious hippie wig, after the cult murders Jack's good friend Otis (Perry Mallette) and abducts his old girlfriend Sally (Cheryl Hausen). While this remains agreeable viewing throughout, it might require patience on the part of some viewers to stick it out through the first half before we finally start getting to the really good stuff, with a lot of hysterical gore and sadism. These cult members are going to get what's coming to them, and THEN some. One can see that this is a labour of love for the filmmaking family including such talents as Raimi, Spiegel, Becker, and Campbell (the last having also worked in the sound department). Raimi's actor brother Ted also turns up as the goon wielding the chain. Clocking in at a reasonable 83 minutes, "Stryker's War" makes for good enough entertainment, no matter if it's not a particularly good film. It earns points more for its heart than anything else. There always is something appealing about watching something made on a low budget by people just wanting to make a movie and have some fun. Seven out of 10.

Or as the movie states: Except ... in a war situation for example. Or if you find very despicable people who do not leave you a chance - as in kill or be killed. This is a sleeper as one other reviewer states. In one sense it may take too long for some to finally get to where you get the action you might long for (though it has a lot of stunts in between, there is nothing as exciting as the end fight).

Having said all that, this is as low budget as can get. And considering that, the effects are quite something! And seeing Sam Raimi as Cult Leader ... just hillarious (in a good sense). Overacting, cliches and all that. But all in good fun. And don't read too much into it. This does not make a political statement about war vets versus peace loving people (if you can call them that) ... This is just a fun action movie that likes to entertain - and that it achieves