Missionary Man

Missionary Man is a 2007 action movie that features iconic action star, Dolph Lundgren - filling in not only as the lead actor but also as director and co-writer along with Frank Valdez. Co-starring with Lundgren are Kateri Walker and Chelsea Ricketts who fill crucial roles that propel the plot forward.

The plot revolves around a mysterious, enigma of a man named Ryder, who arrives in an impoverished, oppressed community on a powerful Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Dolph Lundgren is Ryder, a lone cowboy type, initially seeming like a drifter passing through. However, he soon reveals a deeper purpose for his visit.

Ryder has traveled across miles to bury his friend – an old Native American man who lived in this mistreated community. The town resonates with intense hostility, under the thumb of greed-fuelled, ruthless businessmen who have taken over every aspect of life and filled it with corruption. There's a stark contrast presented between the calm, unassuming outsider and the desolate community suffocating under corruption.

The arrival of Ryder in town coincides with a local festival. The community is beset with crime and violence, and their pleas for help from the law have fallen on deaf ears. However, in Ryder, they find an unexpected ally. Lundgren's character bring his own brand of justice as he goes up against the villains in an attempt to serve retribution for the downtrodden townsfolk.

Kateri Walker plays the role of Jocelyn, a woman who has been pushing back against the criminals bleeding her hometown dry and an essential ally in Ryder's journey. Chelsea Ricketts portrays Kiowa, Jocelyn's headstrong daughter, echoing the resilience of her mother in their fight for justice.

Intense and action-packed, Missionary Man amalgamates traditional revenge themes with modern struggles using a neo-western backdrop complete with the badass stoicism of the seasoned gunslinger archetype. Lundgren’s Ryder is a modern-day, bearded cowboy whose enigmatic personality adds depth and intrigue to the film. Using a mysterious Bible to guide his actions, Ryder’s unconventional approach turns the tide in the town's favor while revealing his inherent spirituality.

The screenplay is interspersed with flashes of character and is filled with gritty showdowns, suspenseful fight sequences, and gun fights, paying homage to the classic western revenge stories. However, what sets it apart is its marriage with themes of community unity, resistance, and the stripping away of corporate greed. Coupled with robust characters and compelling performances, the narrative is driven forward with intense momentum.

Missionary Man takes us on a harrowing yet thrilling ride, unraveling a series of crucial truths behind a façade of peace. The town, full of people initially resigned to their fates, are inspired by one man’s unflinching pursuit of justice against great odds. The film is not just a journey for retribution, but also an exploration of the human condition when tested with adversity.

Visually, Missionary Man leverages its landscapes effectively, using rural America's raw, unprocessed vistas as an appropriate canvas. Meanwhile, the cinematography complements the visceral, unforgiving action scenes staged against these expansive exteriors with equal-parts intensity and precision.

While Dolph Lundgren's rugged charm and his persona as a silent, unwilling hero remain a cornerstone of the film's success, the weight of the story cannot be carried alone. The commendable performances by Kateri Walker and Chelsea Ricketts offer balance and bring to the fore the emotional narrative of a community struggling against injustice.

Missionary Man defies the typical genre confines of an action flick, aiming for a more thought-provoking narrative, and raises many socio-political issues. It complements its storyline with bold characters, earnest performances, and slick directorial execution, making it a gratifying watch for fans of action, as well as of Lundgren himself. It's a movie that poses pertinent questions about morals, duty, and justice, reminding us ever so subtly that sometimes, aid comes from the unlikeliest of places or the most unlikely of heroes.