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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 .

The first hour is a build up for the hate and revenge of Michael Dudikoff's character. Actual themes like white supremacy are ever present and the corrupt villains have no mercy for no one. Even for today's standards, it's pretty violent although not graphic. The flow of the story is rather clumsy and in many ways inconsistent. It has a lot of plot holes but hey, it was the 80s. The movie was clearly designed as a starring vehicle for then B-Movie poster boy Dudikoff. Although in several european markets marketed as such, the movie has no connection to the American Ninja series. Overall it's good 80s action entertainment but thats about it.

Michael Dudikoff plays Matt Hunter, a retired Secret Service agent who supports the political campaign of his old friend Larry Richards (Steve James). Unfortunately, Larry is being threatened by a right wing terrorist organization named Pentangle. Their boss is the creepy Elliott Glastenbury (John P. Ryan), who regularly gives his goons training exercises in the Louisiana swamps. Hunters' old boss, Admiral Brown (James Booth, who also wrote the movie) tries to press him back into service but Hunter will have none of that. Fate, of course, will dictate otherwise.

The Cannon Group were always good at cranking out potboiler genre productions throughout the 1980s, but "Avenging Force" is even better than usual. This is largely because of first rate action, an above average performance by The Dude, the eternally charismatic James (who could have easily headlined his own vehicle during his short lifetime), a genuinely thrilling finale (taking place in the swamps *and* in the rain), and a formidable bad guy. Ryan excels in this role; the movie really belongs to him and James. A decent supporting cast includes William Wallace, Karl Johnson, and Marc Alaimo as assorted baddies. However, child actress Allison Gereighty doesn't fare too well playing Matts' kid sister.

One can hardly fail to notice that "Avenging Force" has a rather hard edge. There certainly are elements and plot developments with which some viewers could take issue. The overall entertainment value is substantial; this may be the most accomplished movie on the resume of action specialist Sam Firstenberg ("American Ninja", "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo"). Having been shot on location in Louisiana, it does have some solid production values. It dives into the action right away. The ultimate resolution isn't altogether satisfying, though.

Seven out of 10.

Michael Dudikoff and Steve James are back together in this one, again for director Sam Firstenberg and Cannon Films. Unlike most Cannon pictures, however, this one is actually good. Steve James is an ex-Secret Service agent running for office in New Orleans, and a secret racist group called The Pentangle attempts to assassinate him, as they don't want blacks in public office. James calls on his old friend Dudikoff to help him, and the two of them try to find out who is behind The Pentangle. Dudikoff and James definitely have a good chemistry between them, as they showed in "American Ninja" and both are very good in their parts. Director Firstenberg keeps the film moving smoothly, and stages a spectacular action sequence during a Mardi Gras parade. John Ryan does his usual good job at villainy. All in all, a very enjoyable little action piece.

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