Comeuppance Reviews Avenging Force (1986)-*** Directed by: Sam Firstenberg Starring: Michael Dudikoff, Steve James, James Booth, and John P. Ryan Here is a prime slice of Dudikoff/Cannon action from the golden year of 1986.It seems a nefarious, underground organization called "The Pentangle" are plotting to rule the world. In their spare time, they go into the woods and hunt human beings. The mastermind of it all, Professor Elliott Glastenbury (John P. Ryan) is a snobby, elitist racist who physically resembles Johnny Cash. Commander Jeb Wallace (Karl Johnson) is his second in command and looks like a cross between Jesse Ventura and G. Gordon Liddy. There's also crazed redneck Charlie Lavall (Marc Alaimo) and Wade Delaney (William Wallace). When they do their hunting, they wear masks - Mardi Gras Mask From Hell, S&M Leather Dude, Kabuki Ninja, and Evil Indian, respectively. The baddies even have a Dudikoff Doppelganger for their side - a blonde pretty boy! I guess they figured if they want to win, they should have a Dudikoff too, but he's no match for the original.Meanwhile, good-natured Army Intelligence Officer Capt. Matt Hunter (Dudikoff) just wants to relax on his family farm and wear his cowboy hat and Bolo tie. He's off spending some quality time with his young sister Sarah (Alison Gereighty) and of course Grandpa (Rick Boyle), as everyone calls him. When the Pentangle goes after Hunter's close friend and former Secret Service Partner Larry Richards (James) because he is a Black man running for Senator, Hunter snaps into action! After further attacks on both the Richards and Hunter families, including the kidnapping of Sarah, it's time to unleash the AVENGING FORCE of Matt Hunter! Dudikoff and James have really good chemistry in the film, and it's refreshing to see them actually working together in a friendly way, with no bickering. We liked that. Too many "team-up" movies feature the lead good guys squabbling the whole time - but not here. Larry Richards is what's needed in Washington right now - what you might call an "Action Senator"! Sure, he's running for Senate, but if needed he'll rip his shirt off and shoot bad guys! Another big plus, besides the good character development (especially between the Hunter and Richards families) is the high level production values. The movie looks great, especially when it captures the New Orleans flavor. From the Mardi Gras city scenes, to the deep-in-the-Bayou climax, everything is top notch. Director Firstenberg is an experienced action director and it shows. Once again Kane Hodder appears in the stunt department. All the actors, from Grandpa on down have unique personalities. And it doesn't skimp on the action. It's all good.Both foreign and domestic box art is awesome. Check out the detail in the U.S. VHS released by Media - you can see each bad guy's individual mask! For - dare I say - classy - 80's action fun, check out Avenging Force! For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com

Miss_MiChiMi The first time I glimpsed this movie was about 12-13 years ago. It was late, i could not sleep, so I was flipping through the channels. I had never heard of Michael Dudikoff, American Ninja, or this movie, but I had nothing else to do. (Keep in mind i was about 12 at the time.)I am glad that I did stumble upon this. The plot is creative and sturdy. Dudikoff and James, having been real life friends, possessed a great chemistry on screen. John P. Ryan gives a great performance, even if at times he comes across as too arrogant and sometimes effeminate. The actress who portrays the little sister can be annoying, but, her performance doesn't hamper the progress of the movie. She is easy to look past.Since having watched this for the first time all those years ago, I have seen many more of Dudikoff's films. This one is still the one i consider the best. (Soldier Boyz runs a close second.) If you like action movies that actually contain a plot, give this one a try.

Wizard-8 For Cannon films - and Michael Dudikoff - this is definitely above average. There's Steve James (who leaves the movie much too early, sadly. He didn't like being in this film, by the way, and you'll see why), good action scenes (brutal fights!), and scummy and hateful bad guys who get what's coming to them. What more could you ask for?

ChoiBaby Ex-Secret Service agent Matt Hunter (Michael Dudikoff) is forced out of retirement after his best friend, a prominent Politician, Larry Richards (Steve James) has been ambushed and nearly assassinated by a group of racist, intelligent militiamen called "The Pentagle." The Pentagle is a highly organized enterprise, with connections to various businesses and implications to affluent persons. They control even many of the highest levels and parts of the government. The Pentagle believes in militarism, anarchy, persecution, and total white supremacy. Many are martial arts experts, who challenge others to games of death in the swamplands area...In the wildernesses, mangled bodies lay strewn everywhere. The ideal theory of "survival of the fittest" comes into play. Matt Hunter, hoping to avenge the tragedy of his once (and only) trusted friend, decides to embark on his own mission of justice. Hunter though, still is weakened through, plagued by psychological problems resulting from a childhood trauma. He is afraid of confronting his past for he felt that he was responsible for his own parents' deaths by a bomb. However, Hunter must stay fit, putting the past aside and letting life go on...currently, he must amend the deeds of the true evil ones... Seeking help from an old friend, Admiral Brown (James Booth) along with the "Agency," Hunter must beat these adversaries in their own twisted game of predator and prey...AVENGING FORCE may be a silly movie at times, granted. The cartoonish, right-wing militia-type villains are appallingly stereotyped. The acting is also a little mediocre. That, having been said, AVENGING FORCE stays as a good movie with lots of panache. Fun, energetic, and well made. Avenging certainly contains well cheoreographed stunts and sequences. The shoot-out during the Mardi Gras Parade is a thrilling spectacle! The confrontation between the scrupulous and the unscrupulous in the wetlands of the jungle are amazing as well. This violent action movie includes lots of swordfights, strange costumes, philosophies about the imminent collapse of capitalism in society, and kendo fighting.AVENGING FORCE also briefly touches upon themes of narrow-mindedness, racism, and corruption in the highest powers of authority. Movies like these were made to appeal to action fans. Everything an action fan desires for is here to surfeit their thrist for high power escapist type movies! AVENGING FORCE is a fine motion picture worth watching for non-discriminating genre fans especially. A great amount of suspense is injected along with a solid story line and a well-to-do cast. If you can't take the heat...RATING: **1/2 out of ****.