Force: Five

The only thing "Force: Five" proves is that the chances of finding a good American martial-arts film are about as many as those of finding a good Hong Kong Western. Yes, the film stars real martial artists who obviously know their stuff, but keep in mind that:

a) most of them can't act (Richard Norton is excepted)

b) most of the time they're fighting useless morons who stand around like sitting ducks, waiting to be kicked.

And how about the fact that the doors of the rooms where the "bad guys" keep their drugs-and-guns-for-sale and the dead bodies of their victims are unlocked and unguarded?

Cheap and stupid. But the actors sure know how to kick high. (*1/2)

(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.

Make no mistake, this is an "Enter the Dragon" rip-off.(Yes, same director as well), if you don't believe me, watch them back to back.

One thing that stands out is that Robert Clouse certainly knows how to direct fight action and that is the movie's highlight. One master shot following every kick and spin, unlike the convoluted and choppy modern day cuts catering to mask the actors lack of skill.

I have to admit that I first saw this as a kid back in the 80's and it is still Sensei Benny and Richard Norton that come out on top as performers even with their minimal presence in the movie. Its easy to see why Sammo and Jackie worked with them several times.

This is sometimes silly but easy to take martial arts escapism that benefits from its spin on director Robert Clouses' genre formula. In this instance, the "hero" is a collection of five specialists (hence the title) who never have a hard time wading through many bad guys. Other than some interesting touches (the bull, the intense torture sequences) this isn't of any real distinction, it's just decent undemanding fun. The cast in this thing aren't great as actors - some of them, anyway - but when it comes to kicking ass, they accomplish their mission. The movie, a remake of the earlier feature "Hot Potato", has an acceptable pace to it and a moderately entertaining finale (although it really doesn't have much action in it).

A bunch of performers familiar to fans of B movies are featured in this straightforward story of Jim Martin (Joe Lewis) hired to retrieve a brainwashed rich girl from the clutches of religious cult leader Reverend Rhee (Bong Soo Han). For the mission, he assembles a team of four associates: Lockjaw (Sonny Barnes), Ezekiel (Richard Norton), Billy Ortega (Benny Urquidez), and Laurie (Pam Huntington), and also breaks Willard (Ron Hayden) out of prison so he can serve as their helicopter pilot.

One may have to suspend their disbelief with this, but it *is* amusing in any event. As was said, there's not a lot of action, and our heroes have such little trouble with the enemy that some viewers may feel underwhelmed. It's fairly violent at some points but isn't as gory as viewers might want it. Production design, photography, and music are all adequate, and you might derive some entertainment from seeing people such as Peter MacLean (the sheriff in "Squirm") as a drunken senator, Amanda Wyss ("A Nightmare on Elm Street") as Cindy, Tom Villard ("Popcorn") as one of Rhees' many disciples, and Mel Novak ("Game of Death") as an inept assassin.

Watchable enough for devotees of this genre.

Seven out of 10.