Force 5

Broadly speaking, the plot is just about as standard as it gets for action flicks: a group upheld as antagonists, a person in their midst, a contingent of heroes that are tasked with the retrieval of that person. The leader of those heroes handpicks his friends for their particular skills, and - well, you don't want spoilers, but you've also seen this movie before. And that's okay! Sometimes a silly little nothing, that we can enjoy without actively engaging with, is exactly what one needs, and formula and familiarity fits neatly within that aim. And so we have 'Force: five' (the colon is very important), made by acclaimed filmmaker Robert Clouse ('China O'Brien!' Oh, and 'Enter the dragon.'), and starring martial artists, action heroes, & recognizable faces like Joe Lewis, Richard Norton, Benny Urquidez, and Bob Schott. Yes, it's a silly romp. It's also fun!

Despite sober underpinnings in the plot and some unexpectedly strong violence, 'Force: five' doesn't take itself all that seriously. That's for the best, given the premise, and furthermore in light of some over the top sequences and acting (the introduction of Norton's character is a total blast for just these reasons, not even taking into account his blonde hair). The only significant surprise here is the diversity in the assembled team, for otherwise the feature is pretty much exactly what one might assume (including, for the record, outdated ableist or racist language, gratuitous nudity, and an underhanded "blonde joke"). Even at that, though, this is duly well made. The story and scene writing may be a little common, and mostly just a vehicle for the action, but they're quite suitable and written well such as they are (though some bits are better or worse than others), with light humor at times. Those stunts, fights, and otherwise action sequences look great and are choreographed well, and I would certainly expect no less from something Clouse is involved with. Sets and filming locations alike are pretty fantastic, as well as any effects that are employed.

There's nothing super remarkable about facets like Clouse's direction, the hair and makeup work, or William Goldstein's music, but all these are fairly solid, too. Anyway, maybe all this assessment is a tad beyond the point. 'Force: five' only wants to have a good time, and it achieves that - with the caveat that anyone who isn't receptive to second-tier martial arts flicks won't find anything here to change their mind. It's reasonably well done, but no must-see by any means, and even those who are fans of such fare may find the end result unremarkable. Both the active intrigue and the action come and go, for example, and in a more general sense, there's just not anything major to stand out. Still, it's a sufficient diversion for a lazy day, and sometimes that's all a film needs to be. Don't go out of your way for this, but if you happen to come across it, there are far worse ways to spend 100 minutes of your time.

(1981) Force: Five ACTION ADVENTURE

Co-written and directed by Robert Clouse, it has a senator employing the services of an agent, Jim Martin (Joe Lewis) to save his daughter, Cindy (Amanda Wyss) away from a cult-like leader, Reverend Rhee (Bong Soo Han) and his disciples along with his bulky sidekick, Carl (Bob Schott) confined on an island. Jim does this by assembling his own group pf fighters, such as his former flame, Laurie (Pam Huntington), Lockjaw (Sonny Barnes), Ezekiel (Richard Norton), Billy Ortega (Benny "the Jet " Urquidez) and a guy who was supposed to be confined in a Central American prison named Willard (Ron Hayden) , also called "Force: Five".

It is one of those movies in which if users do "not" know who some of the characters are, then the overall experience may have sucked. But because I was already aware or familiar with professional kick boxers with the likes of Joe Lewis and Benny "The Jet" Urquidez along with Linda Rondstadt's former bodyguard by the name of Richard Norton whose martial arts filmography is vast, who worked for the likes of Chuck Norris to Jackie Chan makes this movie watchable. You just might say, there actual fighting experiences, particularly for Benny "the Jet" Urquidez (on his very first acting gig) and Richard Norton led them to bigger and better movies. Benny "the Jet" was part of one of the all time best on screen fights of all time called "Wheels on Meals" and "Dragons Forever" who sparred with Jackie Chan, while Richard Norton did fight choreography for "The Octagon" and was memorable with his fights on "Magical Crystals", "City Hunter", "Mr Nice Guy" and "Twinkle Twinkle Lucky Stars".

It seems that director Robert Clouse was hit by a brain wave one day; that by basically mimicking his very own Kung Fu classic, Enter The Dragon, he might likewise repeat the financial returns. Sadly, as good as the idea seemed on paper, in practice it didn't quite come off as evidenced with the resultant film in question. Ultimately, this just doesn't have the star power of the incomparable Bruce Lee to drive it and in all honesty, there simply isn't enough action on show to make it particularly memorable as a martial arts film either.

Having said this, the film is a fairly enjoyable little romp in its own right and certainly boasts an amazing assemble of martial arts stars on show with the likes of genuine kickboxing legends, Joe Lewis and Benny Urquedez (who fares the best in this film, fight wise) plus Australian martial arts sensation and star of many a B-movie, Richard Norton (here sporting a particularly bad goatee!) and in the main villainous role, a genuine Hapkido master in the shape of Bong Soo Han. Certainly, the incredible line up was my main reason for tracking this hard to find flick down in the first place and whilst I can't in all honesty state that it is a classic by any stretch of the imagination, I will say that it is certainly worth a watch if you are a fan of the genre.

"Force: Five" is a routine martial arts action film which should playoff well enough for the diehard fans of the genre. Less ambitious or interesting than ACR's previous Chuck Norris vehicles, it has little chance of expanding uon the narrow but steady commercial audience base for kung fu pics.

Spare plot concerns a soldier of fortune Jerry Martin (Joe Lewis) who with five crack assistants sets out to rescue a brainwashed girl from the island fortress of religious cult leader Reverend RHee (Master Bond Soo Han), styled as a silly combo of Rev. Moon and Jim Jones.

Action is straightforward with enough violent grunt and kick interludes to please the target crowd. Writer-director Robert Clouse has eight kung fu-oriented pics under his belt, but errs this time in the casting of non-actors in almost all key roles. Talent looks good in the fight scenes, but their inexperience makes dialog and dramatic footage dull and laughable. Fights are strictly one-sided (with heavies falling like ten pins) until the final reel contests with Rev. Rhee and his huge assistant Carl (Bob Schott). Tech credits are just adequate.

My review was written in July 1981 after a Manhattan UES screening.

This movie rocks! Not only is the action top notch, but it isn't being performed by a bunch of Hollywood "actors" who took karate lessons for a couple of weeks. I am talking about living legends of the martial arts. Master Han, the indelible Mr. Joe Lewis, not to mention "the jet". Team of five must rescue a girl from a island fortress ruled by a ruthless religious leader. Constant action and great "action" music. If you liked any martial arts movies made before 1985, then this will NOT dissapoint. Find it, rent it, buy it, watch it and thank me later.