AniInterview Sorry, this movie sucks

ChicRawIdol A brilliant film that helped define a genre

Iseerphia All that we are seeing on the screen is happening with real people, real action sequences in the background, forcing the eye to watch as if we were there.

AshUnow This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

Woodyanders Rugged former secret service agent Matt Hunter (a solid and credible performance by Michael Dudikoff) does his best to protect his black Senatorial candidate best buddy Larry Richards (an excellent and charismatic portrayal by Steve James) from a group of racist right-wing fanatics called Pentangle who are led by evil millionaire Elliott Glastenbury (ably played with lip-smacking wicked relish by John P. Ryan).Director Sam Firstenberg, working from a compact script by James Booth (who also acquits himself well as the shifty Admiral Brown), keeps the gripping and inspired premise moving along at a brisk pace, maintains a surprisingly gritty and serious tone throughout (the filmmakers earn additional praise for placing kids in real jeopardy as well as for not being afraid to kill off certain characters one expects to usually live in these kinds of pictures), evokes a flavorsome New Orleans atmosphere, and stages the action set pieces with considerable skill and brio, with a definite corker of a last third pitting Matt against various heavies in the Louisiana swamps. This film further benefits from a neat array of nasty bad guys: William Wallace as cocky young Wade Delaney, Karl Johnson as the brutish Commander Jeb Wallace, Marc Alaimo as the slippery Charlie Lavall, and Loren Farmer as slimy worm Andrew Parker. The winning and utterly convincing chemistry between James and Dudikoff gives this movie some genuine heart and soul. Gideon Porath's glossy cinematography provides an impressive slick look. George S. Clinton's spirited score hits the stirring spot. Superior action fare.

merklekranz While Michael Dudikoff is serviceable as the hero of "Avenging Force", it is John P. Ryan and his right-wing, lunatic-fringe henchmen that make the movie memorable. The film is part hunted in the wild, part car chases, and part martial arts. The assassination attempt at Mardi Gras is quite effective, and the attack on Dudikoff's farm quite brutal. Our hero takes some real punishment in this one, and that definitely adds realism to what could have been nothing more than cartoon violence. If you enjoy hunted in the woods films like "Hunter's Blood", or "Rituals", then "Avenging Force" is something you'll want to check out. - MERK

lost-in-limbo Cannon loved their action. Cheap action. Exploitative action. Especially martial arts action. For a Cannon presentation though, 'Avenging Force' is a serviceable production with dependable action man Michael Dudikoff and Blaxploitation star Steve James. Dudikoff might not have hit it really big like Chuck Norris (really Norris could've slipped right into this role and the character's name is the same one he played in 'Invasion USA'), but he wasn't too bad of an actor. A little stiff at times and didn't have that magnetic screen appeal, but a sturdy actor. However James always had that charismatic awe and also you can't go wrong with b-grade character player John P. Ryan, as he laps up the villain role with gleeful passion. He's the film's energy, and a true scene stealer. One of the industry's under-appreciated actors. James Booth appears, but looks rather bored and stone-faced. Well he's got one of those secondary roles, where much is implied than explored.So give me action. Yes there's action, stunts, family and political speeches. Political speeches? Oh the script is a hummer. Sappy, preachy and plain ridiculous! Just listen to some of these bloated dialogues. The psychical activity couldn't come any sooner. Everything is set around those explosive, gusty action set-pieces amongst that humid southern setting (with plenty of strange excitement in the bayous), as James Booth's comic-book style story figures, but doesn't break away from its very simple, streamlined structure. Some contrived sub-plots are obvious tools for story progression and motivations, but also giving some character's certain human elements and responsibilities. Maybe excesses baggage for some. Director Sam Furstenberg's (a b-grade action deliverer) economical handling is well paced and accessibly blistering in the unsparingly cruel violence. It has that 'The Most Dangerous Game (1932)' crossed 'Southern Comfort (1981)' vibe to its opening and closing sequences. In between those passages it still stays thrilling with some traditional shootouts, chases and martial art always caught in interestingly authentic backgrounds.Hearty low-cost, b-grade Dudikoff vehicle.

ma-cortes This enjoyable crime chiller concerns about Matt Hunter (Michael Dudikoff) , a former secret service agent , now retired but he goes into action when his best friend , an African-American US candidate (Steve James) suffers a killing attempt in which to be murdered his son during a cavalcade through New Orleans streets . His former boss (James Booth, also screenwriter) assigns him the dangerous mission . The American agent single-handedly takes on an army of criminals called the Pentangle , a right-wing terrorist organization (led by nasty John P. Ryan) and dedicated to human chase guised in masks on marsh of New Orleans . One again , Dudikoff metes out his own justice and moved to violence when his sister is kidnapped and wipes out a passel of heinous villains .Michel Dudikoff is an ex-agent who encounters ample reasons and opportunity to utilize his deadly skills . Lots of shoot-outs and fighting and plenty of suspense and thrills . It's a gripping story of one man's revenge , including graphic violent scenes . The film displays a Norris' style but Chuck does it better . In fact , Chuck Norris was originally planned to return as the character Matt Hunter in this sequel to Invasión USA but he became tied up on other Cannon film productions . Rising Cannon star Michael Dudikoff then was then cast in the role instead . Here Dudikoff continues to set new standards for action in this mindless but agreeable for thriller films fans . The movie is co-starred by Steve James (1952-1993) ,who is watchable as ever , he usually played sidekick to tough stars , Dudikoff (three times), Norris and David Carradine , but he early died by pancreatic cancer . The motion picture was professionally directed by Sam Firstenberg . He's a martial-art genre expert , as he directed the American Ninja (I , II , The revenge ,The domination..) saga with Dudikoff and Delta Force films . Rating : Above average action-revenge story .