Sam Firstenberg’s 1986 classic Avenging Force is prototypical Cannon Films on full display featuring muscular heroes, explosive set pieces and straightforward plots. Reuniting the charismatic duo of Michael Dudikoff and Steve James, the film stands as a prime example of the era’s no-holds-barred approach to filmmaking.
Dudikoff stars as Matt Hunter, a retired Secret Service agent living a quiet life in Louisiana. His peace is shattered when his friend, the heroic Vietnam veteran and congressional candidate Larry Richards (James), and his family become the target of a ruthless, highly-trained white supremacist organization known as the Pentangle.
The group, led by the fanatical Professor Elliot Glastenbury (John P. Ryan) and Charles Lavall (Marc Alaimo), preys on innocents and operates with total impunity.
When tragedy strikes, Hunter is forced to abandon his retirement and unleash his deadly skills to protect Richards’ remaining family members and hunt down the villains responsible.
What makes Avenging Force so memorable is its relentless pace and unapologetic embrace of its genre. The film delivers a steady stream of expertly choreographed fistfights, spectacular explosions, and tense chase sequences.
Dudikoff’s stoic persona and martial arts prowess are perfectly complemented by James’s powerful presence, and their on-screen chemistry provides a solid emotional core to the chaotic action.
The villains, particularly Ryan’s chillingly unhinged Professor and Alaimo’s cold-blooded heavy, are over-the-top in the best possible way, providing a truly formidable threat.
Avenging Force is the second of three films pairing Dudikoff and James, along with American Ninja and American Ninja 2: The Confrontation.
Reception for Avenging Force
Avenging Force grossed $1.1 million on its opening weekend, finishing No. 10 at the domestic box office.
The film would gross $4.7 million in its theatrical run.
Legacy
While the plot is straightforward and the dialogue is often pulpy, Firstenberg’s direction and the film’s raw energy make it a captivating watch. It’s a film that knows exactly what it is—a pure, unadulterated ’80s action flick—and it executes that vision flawlessly.
For fans of classic action cinema and the unique legacy of Cannon Films, Avenging Force is an essential watch that perfectly captures the thrilling spirit of its time.
Avenging Force (Photo/Cannon Films)
