Solo (1996 film)
Encyclopedia
Solo is a 1996
science fiction
, action film
from Columbia/Tristar Studios. It was directed
by Norberto Barba
, who has since primarily produced television series. The film was based on the novel Weapon
by Robert Mason
, and was adapted for the script by David L. Corley. The cast included Mario Van Peebles
, Barry Corbin
, and William Sadler
.
The film ran for 94 minutes and received an MPAA rating of PG-13 for combat violence and language. It received poor reviews and is viewed as a derivative action vehicle.
) is an android designed as a military killing machine. He is sent to Central America
by General Haynes (Corbin) to battle guerrilla
insurgents, but a flaw develops in his programming and he develops a conscience and compassion. His developers try to take him back for deprogramming, but he flees to the jungle
in a helicopter. His main energy supply was damaged during the first mission, forcing him to switch to his much less powerful secondary power. He joins a small village community that is under constant threat from guerilla attackers, and he protects them in exchange for use of their electric generator (they previously used it to power a TV). There he learns to 'bluff' which eventually saves Solo's life. A more powerful version of the android (who is sometimes referred to as 'Solo MkII') is developed and is sent into the jungle to destroy him.
1996 in film
Major releases this year included Scream, Independence Day, Fargo, Trainspotting, The English Patient, Twister, Mars Attacks!, Jerry Maguire and a version of Evita starring Madonna.-Events:...
science fiction
Science fiction film
Science fiction film is a film genre that uses science fiction: speculative, science-based depictions of phenomena that are not necessarily accepted by mainstream science, such as extraterrestrial life forms, alien worlds, extrasensory perception, and time travel, often along with futuristic...
, action film
Action film
Action film is a film genre where one or more heroes is thrust into a series of challenges that require physical feats, extended fights and frenetic chases...
from Columbia/Tristar Studios. It was directed
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
by Norberto Barba
Norberto Barba
Norberto Barba is an American cinematographer, television and film director. He is known for his collaborations for the Law & Order franchise.- Biographical details :...
, who has since primarily produced television series. The film was based on the novel Weapon
Weapon (novel)
Weapon is a 1989 science fiction novel by Robert Mason. The book was Mason's first novel; he had previously written a memoir about his experiences in Vietnam titled Chickenhawk.-Plot introduction:...
by Robert Mason
Robert Mason
Robert Mason may refer to:*Robert Mason *Robert Mason , Member of Parliament for Wansbeck 1918–1922...
, and was adapted for the script by David L. Corley. The cast included Mario Van Peebles
Mario Van Peebles
Mario "Chip" Cain Van Peebles is an American director and actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films. He is son of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles.-Life and career:...
, Barry Corbin
Barry Corbin
Leonard Barrie Corbin, known as Barry Corbin , is an American actor with more than one hundred film, television and video game credits.-Early life:...
, and William Sadler
William Sadler (actor)
William Thomas Sadler is an American actor who works in film and television. His television and motion picture roles have included Lewis Burwell "Chesty" Puller in The Pacific, Luther Sloan in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sheriff Jim Valenti in Roswell, convict Heywood in The Shawshank Redemption,...
.
The film ran for 94 minutes and received an MPAA rating of PG-13 for combat violence and language. It received poor reviews and is viewed as a derivative action vehicle.
Plot
Solo (Van PeeblesMario Van Peebles
Mario "Chip" Cain Van Peebles is an American director and actor who has appeared in numerous Hollywood films. He is son of filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles.-Life and career:...
) is an android designed as a military killing machine. He is sent to Central America
Central America
Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. It is the southernmost, isthmian portion of the North American continent, which connects with South America on the southeast. When considered part of the unified continental model, it is considered a subcontinent...
by General Haynes (Corbin) to battle guerrilla
Guerrilla warfare
Guerrilla warfare is a form of irregular warfare and refers to conflicts in which a small group of combatants including, but not limited to, armed civilians use military tactics, such as ambushes, sabotage, raids, the element of surprise, and extraordinary mobility to harass a larger and...
insurgents, but a flaw develops in his programming and he develops a conscience and compassion. His developers try to take him back for deprogramming, but he flees to the jungle
Jungle
A Jungle is an area of land in the tropics overgrown with dense vegetation.The word jungle originates from the Sanskrit word jangala which referred to uncultivated land. Although the Sanskrit word refers to "dry land", it has been suggested that an Anglo-Indian interpretation led to its...
in a helicopter. His main energy supply was damaged during the first mission, forcing him to switch to his much less powerful secondary power. He joins a small village community that is under constant threat from guerilla attackers, and he protects them in exchange for use of their electric generator (they previously used it to power a TV). There he learns to 'bluff' which eventually saves Solo's life. A more powerful version of the android (who is sometimes referred to as 'Solo MkII') is developed and is sent into the jungle to destroy him.