Force: Five Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		3.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		3.0

Force: Five Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf August 23, 2016

1981’s “Force: Five” combines the two things every fan wants out of action cinema: fists of fury and a chilling reminder of a mass murder. Using the Jonestown Massacre as inspiration, writer/director Robert Clouse (“Enter the Dragon,” but also “Gymkata”) finds a way to remake 1976’s “Hot Potato,” sending a team of heroes into an island compound, where a religious cult keeps order through manipulation and violence, occasionally carried out by a rampaging bull. I’ll give “Force: Five” this much: it’s never dull, with Clouse making sure to fill his feature with all types of stunts and showdowns, keeping his B-movie speeding along as it showcases questionable taste.

Joe Lewis leads a gang of mercenaries (including Benny “The Jet” Urquidez) into enemy territory for “Force: Five,” taking on a spiritual leader (Master Bong Soo Han) who keeps tight control over his brainwashed flock, including a politician’s daughter (Amanda Wyss) in need of rescue. Journalists are murdered, Washington types keep their distance. The job calls for sheer power, and “Force: Five” details the unified effort to infiltrate the island compound. Martial arts is the big selling point here, watching real-world champions show off their considerable skills as goons are punched and kicked around, with Clouse celebrating the cartoony violence, giving plenty of screen time to kick-happy confrontations and escalating threats.

Force: Five Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) generally offers a soft, slightly processed viewing experience. Without technical information provided on the Blu-ray, it's difficult to tell the materials used to create the master, but it looks like a film print was employed, finding sharpness slightly out of sorts. Detail isn't strong, but not impossible to find. Colors are nicely refreshed, delivering comfortable primaries and true skintones. Overt damage isn't detected, but occasional single frame blotches pop into view, and speckling is present.

Force: Five Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix lacks definition, emerging as a blunt listening experience. Dialogue exchanges aren't precise, but nothing is lost, offering dulled dramatic passages. Music also isn't sharp, but musical moods are simple to understand. Sound effects offer more snap, with sweetened body hits amusing to hear.

Force: Five Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (2:23, SD) is included.

Force: Five Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Force: Five" isn't refined work, but it delivers cheap thrills with efficiency, finding Urquidez a particular standout as he flips around the frame, clearing the area of enforcers (he would go on to play the creepy rival hitman in "Grosse Pointe Blank"). This is a blunt picture, lacking style, but the essentials are provided, keeping Clouse busy with stunt choreography and exaggerated bravado. "Force: Five" is silly, but it's digestible junk food. Just try to ignore the facts behind the film's cult inspiration, and there's escapism to be enjoyed.