Maximum Force

MAXIMUM FORCE is a solid B-movie action thriller from the early 1990s, directed by the prolific Joseph Merhi. It takes a predictable storyline - in which a trio of renegade cops must team up to take down a corrupt businessman whom each has a vendetta against - and executes it with solid efficiency. It's the sort of film that's always going to pale in comparison to bigger budgeted fare, but one which remains enjoyable enough as a diversion.

The cast is headlined by Sam Jones (FLASH GORDON), who's wooden but imposing as a tough, kickboxing cop. Think Dolph Lundgren in THE PUNISHER and you'll be close. Sherrie Rose is the trademark blonde sidekick, although she does get the chance to hold her own in a couple of fight scenes. Finally, the weapons/technology expert is played by Jason Lively, of NIGHT OF THE CREEPS/NATIONAL LAMPOON'S European VACATION fame. He brings the comedy.

MAXIMUM FORCE has plenty of action going for it so it remains entertaining through, and I'll forever be a fan of those '90s-era martial arts fights in which every kick and punch is accompanied by a ridiculously loud 'thud' sound effect. Plus there are cameos for Mickey Rooney (of all people!) and PREDATOR's Sonny Landham, a supporting turn from John Saxon as a cop, and cult favourite Richard Lynch (CUT AND RUN) playing the villain. What's not to love?

"Maximum Force" is a perfect example of where less would have been best. There are several scenes that are simply unbearably long. The endless training session in the warehouse should be skipped entirely as it is beyond boring. A close second on the tedious scale would be the repetitive exploding remote control cars scene, which goes on and on. The acting by Sam Jones , Sherrie Rose, and Jason Lively is not even close to average. The welcome appearance of Richard Lynch, John Saxon, and Mickey Rooney, elevates the acting grade somewhat. If you are a fan of Lynch, I would seek this one out. Even though he plays his usual "slimeball" villain, he is so good at it. Overall the film is extremely uneven, mostly because of the previously mentioned long dead spots. Nevertheless it is watchable as long as you have the remote in hand. MERK

Awesome film is what came to mind whilst watching this Pm entertainment Masterpiece!!!

A group of renegade cops are teamed up by the great John Saxon (A B-movie & Horror Genre Legend R. I. P) as tough Captain named Fuller, this guy has been trying to bring down a crime lord (played greatly by Richard Lynch) & he's been on that case his whole career & it's time to finally end it before he retires & so he gets a team together of tough cops who each have been trying to bring down the same crime lord for their own reasons.

The team are, Sam Jones (Flash Gordon, Silent Assassins) who is a "Punisher" type of renegade cop, he's hard-as-nails & really would make a great "Punisher" or would've back in the day.

Sherrie Rose (King of the Kickboxers 2) is a tough chick, she's super sexy & super deadly & is great here & is a very good underrated actor.

The final member of this vigilante cop team is the excellent Jason Lively (Night of the Creeps) who is a tech-wizard & has some great moments with his remote-controlled cars armed with explosives & he's a funny dude.

I loved this team of cool characters & the Noir style story & the beautiful cinematography that really shines throughout the film, just look at the beauty of the warehouse scenes where our cops are training!!!

"Maximum Force" is an excellent film, the low-budget doesn't matter as you can't judge a film by it's budget because some cheap flicks are way better than some mega budget films such as "Force" this is a super entertaining & perfect late-night Thriller that's got Awesome action scenes & bloody shootouts & a cast of actors who are really enjoying their roles.

Other parts are filled out with the veteran actor Mickey Rooney as a corrupted politician type who clashes with Saxon's Captain Fuller & the crime lords deadly bodyguard played by Jeff Langton.

From the Awesome music, stunning cinematography, great characters, cool action scenes & great performances make MAXIMUM FORCE a great movie.

I wasn't really aware of the Movies of the PM Entertainment Group all produced and nearly all directed by Richard Pepin & Joseph Merhi, having seen a few now I realise that they're similar in vein to the 'Cannon Group' or 'The Asylum' releases....Cheesy Trash, but Enjoyable all the same.

Maxmimum Force 'stars' B Movie regular Sam Jones along with Sherrie Rose (as eye candy) & Jason Lively as three renegade cops who are recruited by their Captain (John Saxon) to team up to bring down a big time gangster Max Tanabe (Richard Lynch) who pretty much runs the city and has the Police Dept, including Chief of Police (Mickey Rooney clearly slumming it) in his pocket with bribes.

It's not great and it's not even a good movie within it's genre, but for a low budget STV release, full of plot holes you could drive a truck through but it's cheesy fun which is full of action and explosions, the acting isn't the best, but that's neither here nor there in these types of movies

** out of *****

This may be the best B Grade action movie ever, simply because it takes Flash Gordon, Roeper from Enter The Dragon, Rusty from National Lampoon's European Vacation and Golan/Globus's best bad guy, Richard Lynch!! Throw in the "greatest actor in the world, the WORLD!!!" Mickey Rooney, and get the movie directed by b-movie star Jalal Merhi's brother Joseph Merhi, and you have MAXIMUM FORCE, the well oiled machine of a movie that delivers with 2nd rate action, 3rd rate nudity, and a cameo from former porn star Sonny Landham (as a pimp), who's taken on Carl Weathers, Eddie Murphy, Chuck Norris, Sylvester Stallone, AND Arnold himself. Seriously, this movie is something you're bound to see late night on tv, but that is good since it will help you fall asleep.