Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Avenging Force Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 11, 2014

After joining the ranks of the Unlikely Action Heroes of the 1980s with 1985’s “American Ninja,” actor Michael Dudikoff attempted to fill his filmography with even more violent offerings, keeping on the Cannon Films trail with 1986’s “Avenging Force.” Teaming up with Sam Firstenberg, the director of “Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo,” Dudikoff finds another role that fits his limitations, reaching a creative highlight with this ruthless revenge saga that blends elements from “The Most Dangerous Game” with Chuck Norris-style brawn. Although the effort is weirdly severe with its body count, “Avenging Force” does work as bullet-happy escapism, finding Dudikoff in fine form as the nation’s last hope, whipping up some Eastwoodian squints to accompany the force-of-one requirements of the screenplay.

After the death of his parents, retired government agent Matt Hunter (Michael Dudikoff) is left to care for younger sister Sarah (Allison Gereighty) and grandfather Jimmy (Richard Boyle). Trying to live a peaceful life on his ranch, Matt is pulled into the line of fire when the Pentangle Hunting Fraternity makes their presence known in New Orleans, targeting his friend, and senate candidate, Larry Richards (Steve James), for assassination. An extreme right-wing organization with a belief system tied to Hitler’s teachings, the Pentangle is led by Elliot Glastenbury (John P. Ryan), a vicious, racist, murderous man ready to cleanse the city of its sins, organizing hunting trips with human prey. As the stakes rise and dead bodies begin to pile up, Matt decides to ignore U.S. Government interests and take on the Pentangle by himself, staging his own hunt for Glastenbury, who’s thrilled to play this game.

The screenplay (written by James Booth, who also portrays Matt’s government liaison) doesn’t kid around when it comes to introducing villainy. The members of Pentangle aren’t your average, everyday legion of doom, but an organized unit of conservative hatred, with Glastenbury the scowled face of the movement. They love martial arts, hunting and murdering members of government, and share a Nazi-style salute when group approval is reached. If this movie featured puppies, they’d be kicked by Pentangle, with Glastenbury openly sharing his love for white power, the right to bear arms, and, as we learn later in the picture, child prostitution. There are no blurred lines of antagonism in “Avenging Force,” no attempt to contrast Matt’s readiness to kill with his enemy’s bloodlust, complicating the revenge mindset, offering audiences something to ponder. Booth scripts straightforwardly and cartoonishly, creating a right-wing Godzilla in Glastenbury, who’s looking to stomp on Louisiana liberals, preserving the American way of life.

Escalation is a major component of “Avenging Force,” with the movie in a hurry to bottom out Matt, securing his take-no-prisoners mindset as Pentangle hits close to him, threatening his loved ones. This is a violent picture, as to be expected from the era and the weaponry (Uzis are passed around as casually as sticks of gum), but Firstenberg and Booth heads into some uncomfortable areas of sacrifice, including the execution of children to help motivate Matt into action. It’s too much, but excess is the Cannon way. To make it through “Avenging Force,” one must keep the overall stupidity of the production in mind, as most of the work is devoted to heroic shots of Dudikoff and James in action, spanking baddies with their stiffly choreographed moves.

Action sequences are passable, with a mid-movie foot and car chase through an abandoned ship yard a highlight, watching Matt zip-line around the area, while Larry displays his martial art skills, inexplicably removing his muscle t-shirt to prevent wind resistance(?) while punching armed boobs into the afterlife. There are shoot-outs and swampland showdowns, keeping Matt sufficiently pained and bloodied as he inches his way to Glastenbury, who, backed by his masked crew of killers, is waiting for him with open arms. Of course, the sight of Dudikoff (31 years old at the time) versus Ryan (49 years of age) doesn’t inspire the greatest of confidence that Firstenberg will stage a fair fight. The pleasures of “Avenging Force” come with side adventures and moments of intimidation, allowing the stars to do their thing against an endless horde of stuntmen.

Supporting the B-movie is an enticingly low-wattage score from George S. Clinton, who delivers a repeating synth presence that signals evildoing, adding some tension to the picture. Locations are also used well, with a Mardi Gras parade shoot-out convincingly sold in small pieces of shredded floats and panicked civilians, adding a nice bang to the expository first act. Swamp visits are actually quite harrowing, watching Dudikoff carefully wade into murky waters to sell Matt’s attempts at a stealth attack. Being Cannon Films, I’m pretty sure there wasn’t money in the budget to clear the area of critters before cameras rolled. For these grimy sequences alone, Dudikoff deserves a standing ovation.

Avenging Force Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation delivers a satisfactory HD snap to "Avenging Force," bringing the actioner to BD with reasonable sharpness, securing details in facial reactions and New Orleans locations. Textures on costuming and swamp brawls are also welcome. Colors are winningly bold during the Mardi Gras sequence, remaining consistent for the rest of the feature. Skintones are natural. Grain is handled with care, sustaining a filmic look. Blacks are communicative, never swallowed by solidification. Some mild speckling and scratches don't distract.

Avenging Force Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD sound mix captures the minimal intensity of "Avenging Force" without any pronounced distortion. Dialogue exchanges are capably handled. While ADR is sloppy, interactions retain their emotional intention. Scoring is secure and supportive, adding a welcome synth throb when the action heats up. Violence is crisp with gunfire and body blows. Atmospherics for swamp encounters and Mardi Gras festivities are present without overpowering the moment.

Avenging Force Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Introduction (2:12, HD) from director Sam Firstenberg welcomes viewers to what he considers to be the "best of all his movies." He also excitedly shares the thrill of finally having a DVD/BD release after decades of VHS purgatory.

• Commentary features actor Michael Dudikoff and director Sam Firstenberg.

• Interview (11:36, HD) with Michael Dudikoff is a modest career overview, tracking his development from a male model to mid-80s action hero. While his interests remained with comedy, Dudikoff was pushed into screen violence, with "Avenging Force" is most arduous shoot. Talk of location challenges and co-stars is tremendous fun.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:19, HD) is included.

Avenging Force Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Avenging Force" delivers a Dudikoff who's committed to screen heroism, keeping hushed and his jaw-pumping for maximum close-up blue steel. While little is expected of him, the actor meets all thespian demands and offers impressive physicality, paired well with James, creating a winning buddy cop dynamic that should've been extended to sequels. Obviously, "Avenging Force" is exaggerated to fit the requirements of the genre, but Firstenberg has a handle on the material, happily dreaming up new ways to crash cars, crunch bodies, and spray innocents with bullets. It's certainly not high art, but the picture carries out its carnage with professionalism and a real sense of urgency, slaughtering enough kind souls to help keep the audience on Matt's side, cheering him on as he sets out to choke, slice, and pummel anyone who voted for Ronald Reagan.