Do or Die (1991)

Do or Die is pure Andy Sidaris escapist pulp: a sun-drenched, jet-setting action-thriller that knows exactly what it is and leans in with a grin. The movie’s special pleasure is its breezy, B-movie confidence—colorful villains, likable heroes, and a relentless string of ambushes that hop from Hawaii to Vegas to the bayou like a postcard rack with bullets. Pat Morita brings an enjoyably sly presence as the crime boss orchestrating the “game,” while the film’s tone stays light and shamelessly sensational even as the body count rises. It’s absolutely not for everyone—there’s frequent R-rated nudity and a cheesecake vibe baked into the formula—but if you’re on the fence and craving a fast, goofy, high-energy throwback that plays like an action movie on vacation, this one delivers.

Do or Die is trying to be a glossy, globe-hopping cat-and-mouse action thriller, with a simple “hunters vs. hunted” hook and a steady stream of set pieces from Hawaii to Vegas and beyond. The problem is the writing is thin even by B-movie standards, and the film clearly prioritizes cheesecake nudity and softcore-style interludes over coherent plotting, tension, or character work—so if you’re coming for a tight thriller, you’ll feel shortchanged. Action beats and stunt-y chaos pop up often enough to keep it moving, and Pat Morita brings a bit of personality to the villain role, but the tone is more horny escapist fantasy than serious danger. If you enjoy Andy Sidaris-style camp, sun-soaked locations, and don’t mind that the “thrills” are frequently the camera’s gaze rather than the story, you’ll get what it’s selling; if not, skip it.