Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		1.0
Overall		4.0

Forced Vengeance Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf January 13, 2024

After a career push to turn him into a drive-in theater hero in the late 1970s, Chuck Norris enters the 1980s with greater focus on conquering multiplexes and international audiences. Building on the mild success of 1980’s “The Octagon” and 1981’s “An Eye for an Eye,” Norris smashes into 1982 with two pictures, with “Forced Vengeance” following “Silent Rage,” giving the martial arts star a chance to show his stuff in the more exotic location of Hong Kong. The villains are up to no good (the heroes also act questionably) when it comes to collecting rival casinos, and it’s up to one man out to protect his loved ones from direct threats. Co-writer/director James Fargo (“Voyage of the Rock Aliens,” “Every Which Way but Loose,” “The Enforcer”) doesn’t get ambitious with “Forced Vengeance,” keeping the effort down to the basics in Norris-style entertainment, putting the lead in a series of action poses as his character seeks to deliver acts of intimidation before offerings of butt-kickery. There’s no significant creative challenge presented here, and not all of Fargo’s ideas are acceptable, but there’s a welcome simplicity to the endeavor that keeps it compelling. And Norris is alert here, providing hearty showdowns and hostile retorts, doing his one-man-army routine with some level of enthusiasm.

A military man lost to trouble in Hong Kong, Josh (Chuck Norris) has been adopted by Sam (David Opatoshu), who owns the Lucky Dragon Casino, putting his son, Dave (Frank Michael Liu) in control of daily operations. Josh is an enforcer, running security at the casino and traveling to collect on debts, maintaining order with his highly trained mind and body. He has a lover in Claire (Mary Louise Weller), a local teacher unsure how to deal with Josh’s erratic schedule and physical dangers, and he maintains a deep love for his family. Challenging business at the Lucky Dragon is Stan (Michael Cavanaugh), a member of the Osiris criminal organization, and a man determined to take control of Sam’s business empire, exposing issues with Dave’s managerial skills. Demanding contractual ownership of the casino, Stan is shut down by Sam, with the gangster happy to murder father and son to get what he wants, newly targeting Sam’s daughter Joy (Camilia Griggs) to complete legal actions. Josh refuses to let this happen, soon hunting for a way to eliminate Stan’s operations, dealing with violence around every corner as brutes look to block his progression.

“Forced Vengeance” is set in Hong Kong, but it actually commences in Los Angeles, as Josh is tasked with confronting a compulsive gambler who’s not interested in paying his debts. Josh arrives in his enforcer costume, including a carefully positioned cowboy hat he loves, and when his headwear takes a hit with a clumsy bodyguard, the visitor doesn’t take it lightly. The production provides the first of many fight sequences, with Fargo making sure his sets are sufficiently trashed and stunt players are battered, putting Norris in gunslinger mode as Josh does away with challenges to his personal safety. There’s also a sense of pride in the work, as Josh is welcomed into a Jewish family with Sam’s adoption, showing little patience for those who resort of anti-Semitism to insult him.

“Forced Vengeance” travels home to Hong Kong, awkwardly described by Josh as a “slap in the face that makes you feel good.” The writing settles into the plight of the Lucky Dragon Casino, with Dave secretly running it into the ground, unable to keep up with debts of his own, hiding his mistakes from Sam. Josh is head of security, and the Lucky Dragon has its share of difficulties, including a dealer skimming from his table, forced to leave the establishment without pants (that’ll teach him?). The Osiris issues comes into view, with Sam vehemently against any sale to Stan, who delights in making people submit, and soon two men who mean the world to Josh are murdered, and he discovers the bodies. “Forced Vengeance” puts the character on the run, as Josh is confronted by crooked cops and many hired goons looking to eliminate him, permitting Fargo to keep up with action cinema demands. Norris does his part, dominating villains with fast fists and feet, and he’s also permitted some softer moments, interacting with Claire, and he offers a little girl on a water taxi a Miss Piggy doll as a gift. Why he has a Miss Piggy doll on him isn’t explained.

“Forced Vengeance” does make a move to seem more dramatically substantial than it really is, following Josh as he follows Osiris contacts, looking for the top man of the outfit. Characters are introduced and quickly dismissed. Josh also collects Joy and Claire, putting them in the care of his Vietnam war buddy, LeRoy (Bob Minor), who shares pride in his choice of girlfriend: a local teenager. Yikes. “Forced Vengeance” has more unsavory activity to come, including sexual violence to inspire Josh’s rage, which is unnecessary. The film does just fine with the character’s laser focus on breaking bodies in the name of revenge, maintaining a B-movie fun factor as Josh takes out the trash, with Fargo even adding a “Raiders of the Lost Ark” visual joke to keep things cheeky.

Forced Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "New 2023 2K scan from the interpositive." "Forced Vengeance" remains appealing during the viewing experience, offering a decent sense of skin particulars on the cast, who range in age. Costuming is also fibrous, exploring formal wear and casual dress as the action heats up. Hong Kong locations are pleasingly dimensional, with city depths. Interiors preserve decorative additions, especially during casino sequences. Colors are intact, offering a brighter sense of primaries on neon signage, which carries deep reds. Tighter hues on clothing are welcome, including the greenness of Josh's military uniform. Tuxedo black and white is sharp. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is capably resolved. Source is in good condition.

Forced Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a basic sense of action for "Forced Vengeance," finding scoring cues retaining dramatic emphasis with decent orchestral support and the occasional synth sting. Dialogue exchanges are clear, securing dramatic intent from most of the cast, and goon grunts are preserved. Sound effects are basic but appreciable as the action works with gunfire and body blows.

Forced Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• A Theatrical Trailer (1:59, SD) is included.

Forced Vengeance Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Forced Vengeance" certainly resembles a picture that was reworked in post-production, as editing is generally rough, showing little care when whittling down subplots and character importance. Narration is used to patch holes, providing Josh's inner-monologue, which becomes quite silly at times (thoughts on Hong Kong's future handover to China in the final minute of the feature is bizarre), watching the production scramble to keep the film in some sense of order after heavy cuts were likely made. Still, erratic storytelling doesn't deflate the viewing experience, which remains inviting thanks to Norris and his steely screen presence. He keeps "Forced Vengeance" engaging and rough, doing what he does best to make sure the endeavor stays bruising as Josh fights for love, family, and the protection of his hat collection.