Robot Jox (Film Review)

1990 Triumph Films
Directed by: Stuart Gordon; Written by: Joe Haldeman
Starring: Gary Graham, Anne-Marie Johnson, Paul Koslo, Robert Sampson, Danny Kamekona, Hilary Mason, and Michael Alldredge
MPAA Rating: PG; Running Time: 85 Minutes
The Nicsperiment Score: 5/10

In the future, armies no longer go to war over territory. A nation sends out their best giant robot to fight against the other nation's giant robot. The winner's nation takes territory. But not just the best robot. Someone must pilot these giant robots. These are the best pilots. These are...the Robot Jox.
Robot Jox is big, goofy, dumb fun. Gary Graham plays a good old boy, Jim, who's the best at fighting in a giant robot. Paul Koslo absolutely chews the metal scenery as his vaguely Russian nemesis, Alexander. The two fight against each other inside giant robots at the beginning and end of this less than 90-minute film. In the middle, there's arguing and intrigue, as a young up-and-comer, played by Anne-Marie Johnson, thinks Jim is washed up, and one of Jim's closest confidants betrays him. It's all extremely silly, but at least good-naturedly so. The robots even look surprisingly decent!
Robot Jox is harmless. It doesn't promise to be any more than it is. It's Robot Jox being Robot Jox. Zip. Boom. The End.