In the spirit of the El Santo lucha libre films from the 60's and 70's comes the 1999 classic Atomic Blue. When there is nobody to turn to you, it's time to look to the heroic actions of the mysterious masked men in the ring. Atomic Blue, or Azul Atomico as they call him in the film, is here to save the day!
The movie centers around the young boy Nick. His neighborhood is being evicted because of a new highway system wanting to be built. (Which in LA might be needed). Nick's older brother is the most vocal of the bunch to put a stop it it. He's the most vocal only because he speaks English when his neighbors do not. One of the developers not wanting to go to court sends out his gang of thugs to handle the situation. Nick's older brother is quickly disposed of, being fatally shot.
Now follows the convoluted timeline that leads us to the end of the film. Non of the characters seem to really care that the son died. Only Nick, is doing anything about it. Maybe some time has passed. We don't know. The next time the rest of the family is met they are debating whether or not wrestling is real.
Azul Atomico is brought into the fray when young Nick asks for his help. Azul reluctant at first then has a win during his wrestling match and I guess in his adrenaline high heads out to Nick's house to find out more about the situation. While he does try to do it secretly the blue mask really throws off the rest of his downplayed outfit of leather jacket and beret.
Upon word of Azul's aid the developers send out their thugs to handle the situation. They are no match for our hero. Then to further up the ante a bounty his put on Azul's head. The bounty takes mere seconds to get everyone's attention. Wrestlers from all around the world now want a piece of Azul.
During one of these dangerous matches, the only one shown, Nick is kidnapped. Azul discovers the plot and naturally he and his manager go out to a club. There they do a little drinking, dancing, fighting off the bounty before Azul finds out where Nick is being held. He's told by none other than Mexican Elvis.
The climax comes when Azul must finally beat down the thugs, and the developer himself. When all is said and done somehow them fighting and putting the developer in a trash can means the neighborhood his safe. Azul Atomic walks off into the darkness.
Maybe the creators of Atomic Blue should have followed a little more with the old lucha libre films. Instead of having a developer be their main bad guy and just go with the ridiculousness of it all and bring in some sci-fi/fantasy elements. Atomic Blue vs the monster under the bridge! Oh well.
It was worth a dollar.
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