MARIO GAUCI If there can be such a thing as overhyping the badness (read unintentional hilarity) quotient of a film, then the reviews I've come across of this one on the Internet are guilty of doing just that; it's not that I didn't find William Shatner's inflating hairline, outrageous clothes sense and, especially, his uncontrolled facial expressions comical…but I wasn't exactly laughing out loud either – let alone rolling about on the floor stamping my fist in hysterics! I'm not saying I was really expecting that kind of a response but, at any rate, I was let down by the film even in this department so that little remains for me but to bemoan the loss of 90 minutes from my life and try to forget this viewing ever happened! Sure, Shatner is hardly the ne plus ultra in psychopathically menacing and irresistibly handsome characters: seeing him threaten an obese woman for no reason at a park (while dressed in an unflatteringly sleeveless shirt), break out in tears after committing his first murder (as an adult), decked out in a completely white get-up with an over-sized fedora hat to match, slip his little finger into his mouth every time he recalls his childhood trauma (shown in black-and-white during the prologue) and boyishly jump up and down (as if his bladder's about to burst) in anticipation of being shown the safe is, admittedly, a source of amusement…but that hardly excuses the dullness of the rest of the picture.The chase in a car wash between Shatner and ex-partner Harold "Oddjob" Sakata (here playing Karate Pete!) was a nice try but even that sequence is clumsily executed and needlessly protracted. The worst part of it is that the three female leads – Ruth Roman, Jennifer Bishop and Kim Nicholas – claim a good share of the film's running time when they are merely boring caricatures; unfortunately, the director even contrives to waste the opportunity of the only two promising female encounters Shatner has in the movie – the sultry belly-dancer at the start and the flirtatious hotel receptionist!

JoeKarlosi For fans of "so bad they're good" films, this is one of the funniest out there, and an embarrassment for William Shatner. He overacts and makes many funny faces as he plays a psychotic 1970's gigolo who cons women and takes their money, also periodically being seized with the urge to murder them after suffering a childhood trauma. It's hilarious seeing Shatner wearing many different various types of mod '70s attire in this, and at one point he emerges wearing a pimp's hat and later a sleeveless muscle shirt. Not a good film, but entertaining and unintentionally funny stuff. Look out for an appearance of GOLDFINGER's Harold Sakata ("Oddjob" himself) as a thug named "Karate Pete" as he attempts to deliver dialogue while he shakes down Shatner's character. **1/2 out of ****

librachild "Impulse" is a must see for any fan of B moviedom! During a low point in his career, Shatner gives a stellar performance as Matt a psychotic killer. He begins his killing ways as a child when he sees his mother, in their home, being raped by a soldier (played by William Kerwin) and plunges a Samurai sword into him. The film then flashes forward to 1974 Florida where he kills his current lover, then comes into a small town and wins the heart of a widow, but not her disapproving young daughter. The daughter is wise to his motives after she witnesses Shatner kill Harold Sakata in a car wash, but no one will believe her until the bloody climax of the film. Think Shatner's acting was tacky in his Star Trek hey day? He goes over the top in this cheapy thriller. And yes, dig his groovy duds! Everything from polyester zig zag print shirts to striped tank top and white pimp suit complete with hat! Cheesy scenes, dialogue and plot make this drive in delight a movie to seek out. Hard to find, it is slowly making it's way to DVD. This would have made an excellent MST3K episode! Fun for all!

jcge86 I'll never forget the first time I saw Impulse....I had picked it up at the local video store and rented it sight-unseen. After all, with William Shatner starring in a 1974 "b" horror film, how could I go wrong?From the opening graphics of the movie title ripping apart to reveal a close up of Shatner's face, the expression alone on his face was priceless...but joyfully, that is just the beginning of this masterpiece!!!The film is a gem, with Shatner giving 110% throughout, and also Ruth Roman ("Mama" in The Baby, 1974). The clothes, the acting, the slow-paced car chase through an automatic car wash....this movie is worth seeing over and over again!!!