44 reviews
Early Norris thriller playing a tough trainer , being packed with noisy action, tension and violence
Chuck Norris exciting vehicle with lots of action , thrills , suspense and spectacular kick-boxing fights . One time the Vietnam war is over , a Karate teacher named Matt Logan (Chuck Norris) keeps a new occupation as trainer , previous life as leader of a Vietnam commando named ¨The Black Tigers¨ (at his former film titled ¨Good guys wear black¨ by Ted Post) . A police lieutenant (Clu Gulager) attempts to resolve why his squad members (Jennifer O'Neill , Pepe Serna, Ron O'Neal, among others) are being mysteriously killed . Then Norris using his skills as fighter to help combat drug trafficking and discover as the undercover narcotic agents are being eliminated one-by-one .
This stirring picture is plenty of action-packed , excitement , tense and cheesy sub-plot to boot with wild stunts . The story displays a plethora of martial-arts struggles and especially Thailand fighting . The movie featured three members of the Norris family in acting roles , these were Aaron Norris , Mike Norris and Chuck Norris . Here Norris cleans up the nasty fighters by means of punches , kicks , bounds and leaps with fights certainly slick . Mediocre screenplay in spite of being written by Ernest Tidyman (French Connection , Shaft). It's violent , frenetic and hectic and not particularly literary but worthy entry in Kung-Fu genre , although runs out energy surprisingly early. Average Norris-thriller , exciting and tense at times with fine work from Clint Ritchie, James Withmore Jr and Clu Gulager as a brilliant chief named Dune . And , of course , Karate expert Chuck Norris who saves the day with lots of visceral violence , he's a nice wrestler who possesses incredible strength . The motion picture was regularly directed by Paul Aaron , in his second theatrical feature film and he replaced filmmaker Ted Post . The film belongs Norris's early period , as during the 70s when he made low-average budget as ¨Breaker,Breaker¨, ¨Slaughter in San Francisco ¨, after that , in the 80s and 90s he acted in better movies as ¨Code of silence¨, ¨Delta Force¨ , ¨Silent rage¨ ,¨Octagon¨ ,¨Forced vengeance¨, ¨Delta Force I,II¨ , ¨An eye for an eye¨ among others , with successful box office at cinemas and video-rentals . In the 90s and 2000s with exception of ¨Walker Texas Ranger¨, the Norris star had gone down . Action addicts will give this one a passing grade , all others need not apply . If you're a previous Norris fans , you'll like it but contains enough action and violence for enthusiasts of the Karate genre . This is a must see if you're a die-hard Chuck Norris fan .
This stirring picture is plenty of action-packed , excitement , tense and cheesy sub-plot to boot with wild stunts . The story displays a plethora of martial-arts struggles and especially Thailand fighting . The movie featured three members of the Norris family in acting roles , these were Aaron Norris , Mike Norris and Chuck Norris . Here Norris cleans up the nasty fighters by means of punches , kicks , bounds and leaps with fights certainly slick . Mediocre screenplay in spite of being written by Ernest Tidyman (French Connection , Shaft). It's violent , frenetic and hectic and not particularly literary but worthy entry in Kung-Fu genre , although runs out energy surprisingly early. Average Norris-thriller , exciting and tense at times with fine work from Clint Ritchie, James Withmore Jr and Clu Gulager as a brilliant chief named Dune . And , of course , Karate expert Chuck Norris who saves the day with lots of visceral violence , he's a nice wrestler who possesses incredible strength . The motion picture was regularly directed by Paul Aaron , in his second theatrical feature film and he replaced filmmaker Ted Post . The film belongs Norris's early period , as during the 70s when he made low-average budget as ¨Breaker,Breaker¨, ¨Slaughter in San Francisco ¨, after that , in the 80s and 90s he acted in better movies as ¨Code of silence¨, ¨Delta Force¨ , ¨Silent rage¨ ,¨Octagon¨ ,¨Forced vengeance¨, ¨Delta Force I,II¨ , ¨An eye for an eye¨ among others , with successful box office at cinemas and video-rentals . In the 90s and 2000s with exception of ¨Walker Texas Ranger¨, the Norris star had gone down . Action addicts will give this one a passing grade , all others need not apply . If you're a previous Norris fans , you'll like it but contains enough action and violence for enthusiasts of the Karate genre . This is a must see if you're a die-hard Chuck Norris fan .
A Force of One
- Scarecrow-88
- Dec 15, 2009
- Permalink
"They think karate was used on them".
I wouldn't mind one of those Matt Logan t-shirts you see his people wearing in the movie
well sadly you don't get one with the DVD. Oh well. After the box-office success of "Good Guys Wear Black", Chuck Norris would roll out another then another. "A Force of One" was one of those. These earlier films ("Good Guys Wear Black", "A Force of One" and "The Octagon") backed by American Cinema seemed to have the same style and formula; but while they did have thick, knotty plots (like something out of a crime/cop show), Chuck didn't entirely get much of a work out compared to some of his fun, over-the-top 80s work.
"A Force of One" is a decent, if not particularly igniting old-school Chuck Norris outing where he's confronting drugs with a karate chop/kick. A team of narcotics agents enlist the help of a martial arts expert Matt Logan, when some of their agents end up dead by a serial killer who uses karate. Hesitant to help at first, but soon Logan finds it personal --- revenge and honour.
There's some action; well staged too (like the climatic battle outside the ring), but a lot more time is spent in training (for his championship fight), lessons (for the narcotics agents), being a mentor figure and then trying to connect the dots on who might be the karate serial killer (with little surprise on the reveal). It's rather talky and consisting of the same patterns, but never was I bored. Norris is looking much more comfortable than say in his last role. He comes across genuine in his moods, having a sense of humour and of course delivers on what matters --- amazing martial arts and stunt work. Across from him is a headstrong Jennifer O'Neal. Also the cast features big players like Clu Gulager, Ron O'Neal, James Whitemore Jr. and Charles Cyphers. Paul Aaron's direction is competently tidy, drawing up some striking set-pieces accompanied by Dick Halligan's rhythmic music score of offbeat tempos.
Well made, but standard action/investigative fare.
"A Force of One" is a decent, if not particularly igniting old-school Chuck Norris outing where he's confronting drugs with a karate chop/kick. A team of narcotics agents enlist the help of a martial arts expert Matt Logan, when some of their agents end up dead by a serial killer who uses karate. Hesitant to help at first, but soon Logan finds it personal --- revenge and honour.
There's some action; well staged too (like the climatic battle outside the ring), but a lot more time is spent in training (for his championship fight), lessons (for the narcotics agents), being a mentor figure and then trying to connect the dots on who might be the karate serial killer (with little surprise on the reveal). It's rather talky and consisting of the same patterns, but never was I bored. Norris is looking much more comfortable than say in his last role. He comes across genuine in his moods, having a sense of humour and of course delivers on what matters --- amazing martial arts and stunt work. Across from him is a headstrong Jennifer O'Neal. Also the cast features big players like Clu Gulager, Ron O'Neal, James Whitemore Jr. and Charles Cyphers. Paul Aaron's direction is competently tidy, drawing up some striking set-pieces accompanied by Dick Halligan's rhythmic music score of offbeat tempos.
Well made, but standard action/investigative fare.
- lost-in-limbo
- Apr 21, 2011
- Permalink
"Whoever did this... they're as good as dead."
Back when A Force of One was originally released, I viewed Chuck Norris' movies as boring, brainless, and cheap. In the years since, I've changed that original assessment and can see them for what they really are. Now I look at these early Chuck Norris' movies as fun, brainless, and cheap.
The plot is incredibly simple and shows a total lack of creativity. When two cops are killed by someone using Martial Arts, they seek out the one man who might be able to help them - the local karate champion, Matt Logan (Norris). The cops quickly persuade Matt to help them, but when Matt's son turns up dead, he goes from helping to an active participant.
Instead of writing a regular review or pointing out strengths and weaknesses in the movie, I'll just list a few random thoughts I had while watching:
· It's not that the cops are skeptical about how karate can help them, a few act like they can't even pronounce the word. · The needle marks in that girl's arm makes it look like she been using a turkey-baster to shoot-up with. · You would think that after one set of cops is killed that the superior officer would do a better job of keeping track of where and what his men are working on. · Wow, a ninja in the stockroom! You just don't see enough of stuff like that in real life. · If you couldn't guess that Matt's son was going to get into serious trouble when he started his own investigating, you haven't seen enough bad action movies. · The identities of the bad guys are so obvious it's embarrassing. · Why is the police captain wearing a Matt Logan t-shirt under his bath robe?
It may be bad, but there are still several enjoyable moments. One of my favorites is the most obvious - watching Chuck Norris square off against Bill 'Superfoot" Wallace. Two legends of the Martial Arts in a fight to the death - good stuff. It almost makes the whole movie worthwhile.
The plot is incredibly simple and shows a total lack of creativity. When two cops are killed by someone using Martial Arts, they seek out the one man who might be able to help them - the local karate champion, Matt Logan (Norris). The cops quickly persuade Matt to help them, but when Matt's son turns up dead, he goes from helping to an active participant.
Instead of writing a regular review or pointing out strengths and weaknesses in the movie, I'll just list a few random thoughts I had while watching:
· It's not that the cops are skeptical about how karate can help them, a few act like they can't even pronounce the word. · The needle marks in that girl's arm makes it look like she been using a turkey-baster to shoot-up with. · You would think that after one set of cops is killed that the superior officer would do a better job of keeping track of where and what his men are working on. · Wow, a ninja in the stockroom! You just don't see enough of stuff like that in real life. · If you couldn't guess that Matt's son was going to get into serious trouble when he started his own investigating, you haven't seen enough bad action movies. · The identities of the bad guys are so obvious it's embarrassing. · Why is the police captain wearing a Matt Logan t-shirt under his bath robe?
It may be bad, but there are still several enjoyable moments. One of my favorites is the most obvious - watching Chuck Norris square off against Bill 'Superfoot" Wallace. Two legends of the Martial Arts in a fight to the death - good stuff. It almost makes the whole movie worthwhile.
- bensonmum2
- Aug 5, 2005
- Permalink
Respectable entertainment.
Like my previous Chuck Norris film review, I also saw this one at a local drive in with a couple of neighbors. I can't remember too much of it, but do remember that it was entertaining in regards to a corrupt police investigation of some kind, something involving drugs, and, of course, martial arts.
It was one of Chucks better flicks, and he showed some chops in the acting department, but I can't say that the film stuck with me all that much. Regardless, it was somewhat impressive. Ironically enough the one thing I remember about going to see this film was the preview for "The Villain", a western spoof.
There's not much in the way of plot in this thing, but it has a decent enough emotional story. If you're into martial arts, and want to see Chuck Norris early in his career, give this film a try. Not a bad watch.
Enjoy.
It was one of Chucks better flicks, and he showed some chops in the acting department, but I can't say that the film stuck with me all that much. Regardless, it was somewhat impressive. Ironically enough the one thing I remember about going to see this film was the preview for "The Villain", a western spoof.
There's not much in the way of plot in this thing, but it has a decent enough emotional story. If you're into martial arts, and want to see Chuck Norris early in his career, give this film a try. Not a bad watch.
Enjoy.
A dull Chuck Norris movie
"A force of one" is more serious than the other Chuck Norris movies, but it's also very dull. The actors are above average, but the fighting sequences does not deliver much to applaud for. Seems more like a criminal than an action-movie. (4 out of 10)
Low budget
Low budget, wooden acting, and sappy make the basics for this film. Not awful as other Norris movies, but it is a stinker. The Karate fight at the end is ok, but the rest is boring. The Karate is not that much special now with all the other action films, and the part with his foster son is over the top sappy. Well not bad with what they had to work with.
Undercover cops are killed one by one, and the police want karate champion Chuck Norris to help them out
Matt Logan (Chuck) is a Martial Arts expert who runs a Dojo, teaching children by day and fighting in the ring by night. His life is consumed by Karate, which is exactly why the San Diego police department seek out his expert counsel. It seems that a ruthless assassin is out on the streets, ruthlessly killing cops who get too close to the center of a drug operation.Soon Logan becomes personally involved and is searching for the killer himself.
A Force of One is pretty typical early Chuck: the pace is on the slow side but it does provide plenty of Chuck fights and the movie as a whole isn't bad.Then there's Bill "super foot" Wallace. You kind of know what to expect from someone nicknamed "super foot." Wallace is good at kicking. At acting, not so much.The action is good. Norris designed the fights himself, giving them a more authentic feel.
In all, A Force of One is a decent, harmless, and enjoyable-enough Chuck Norris film.
Overall 7 out of 10
A Force of One is pretty typical early Chuck: the pace is on the slow side but it does provide plenty of Chuck fights and the movie as a whole isn't bad.Then there's Bill "super foot" Wallace. You kind of know what to expect from someone nicknamed "super foot." Wallace is good at kicking. At acting, not so much.The action is good. Norris designed the fights himself, giving them a more authentic feel.
In all, A Force of One is a decent, harmless, and enjoyable-enough Chuck Norris film.
Overall 7 out of 10
This amateurish effort is Chuck's worst film
- Leofwine_draca
- Jul 18, 2016
- Permalink
S10 Reviews: A Force of One (1979)
A pair of Los Angeles narcotics police runs afoul of a group of distributors protected by a masked Kung Fu enforcer who will stop at nothing to ensure the flow of drugs. Enter Matt Logan (Chuck Norris) a Vietnam vet now world famous kick boxer making a run at the title. The police consult Logan and are eventually able to get him to help train the other members of the narc squad in Kung Fu. Logan takes a look into the case and finds out that police corruption and ex-war buddies may some how be involved.
Chuck Norris movies (for the most part) are usually good fun. A good many of Norris' earlier films are good solid action flicks, not necessarily classics but fun nonetheless." A Force of One" is a fun film but is severely dated. However it moves at a good clip and the action scenes are pretty decent. Many of the usual clichés are on display and good olé' Chuck has his way with the bad guys.
Chuck Norris movies (for the most part) are usually good fun. A good many of Norris' earlier films are good solid action flicks, not necessarily classics but fun nonetheless." A Force of One" is a fun film but is severely dated. However it moves at a good clip and the action scenes are pretty decent. Many of the usual clichés are on display and good olé' Chuck has his way with the bad guys.
- suspiria10
- Aug 20, 2005
- Permalink
A Force of One is a decent, harmless, and enjoyable-enough Chuck jaunt.
- tarbosh22000
- Nov 7, 2013
- Permalink
Chuckie kicks back as a one man lone wolf force
In all fairness, being a Chuck Norris vehicle, this isn't a bad film. It's quite a well made product, devoid of Chuck's sub standard acting, surpassed by the rest of the interestingly chosen cast, Neill exceptionally good as s female cop, and Gulager as a weary lieutenant, who unfortunately we don't see enough off in this. It has a cool start off as we dolly with a skateboarding teen (a drug courier) down the city streets of day, two cops trailing him, on their own accord as they want they collar. Instead they walk straight into death as a faceless karate assassin kills them in pretty painful ways. Bring on Chuckie who again, is not really acting, but can bring heart and reality into this role, like others.... unintentionally, I presume. As you can guess, woman cop Neill falls for him. The batch of Gulager's crew undergo karate training, to take on these powerful forces, but when the faceless villain, messes with Chuckie's teen friend, who's like a son, with great potential for the martial arts, it's now a fight to the death. Although it does lack action in long spaces of time, where it tends to sag here and there, as not living up to Chuckie's action quota, here we actually got a real Chuckie movie, and this is one of his I've always liked. The deadly showdown awaits too.
- videorama-759-859391
- Jan 2, 2014
- Permalink
Bad Even For Its Kind
Chuck Norris really isn't a bad actor but the movies he's chosen to be in are of a very low standard. But even considering the numerous B-grade films he's starred in this is a low point on his filmography. This production quality of this film is close to the bottom and I find it hard to imagine even the biggest Chuck fan to overlook all of A Force Of One's flaws.
- RonellSowes
- Mar 30, 2021
- Permalink
A Classic, Not really
Chuck Norris stars and looks his best in this financially limited production. He's as fast as a leopard, as strong as a tiger and as hairy as a lion, Chuck Norris takes no backward step in this edge of your seat D class movie! Great to see the police chief in the movie is a keen supporter of Matt Logan (Chuck's character). In the scene where the police chief is in his night gown, you can see the "Matt Logan" shirt he is wearing underneath! This movie screams CHEAP when you see Matt Logan's love interest, come on guys you could have got a better looking girl... I'm sure she has a lovely personality though. This movie is a great laugh and is very enjoyable after 10 or more drinks or a hit of amphetamines.
- protein_man
- Jun 11, 2006
- Permalink
Helping people through martial arts education and being a force.
My first Norris experience, but not the best.
A Force Of One has a special place in my heart, being the first martial arts movie I ever saw (not counting The Cannonball Run or The Man With The Golden Gun): it played at my local flea-pit as second feature on a double-bill with James Brolin/Lindsay Wagner action flick High Risk (1981), and introduced me to the legend that is karate champ Chuck Norris. For that, I am grateful.
But to be honest, the film really isn't that great, being a rather predictable late '70s cop drama with a few not particularly impressive fight scenes amidst all of the routine investigative nonsense. Chuck puts in a surprisingly good performance as Matt Logan, the karate expert brought in to help train a narcotics squad after several of their cops wind up dead, but despite choreographing the fight action himself (with help from his brother Aaron), his martial arts skills are given very little opportunity to shine. The final showdown between Logan and evil karate fighter Sparks (Bill Wallace)—who unwisely offs Logan's adopted son Charlie (Eric Laneuville)—really isn't worth the wait, taking place in the middle of the night and in slow motion. The film also wastes the talent of character actor Clu Gulager, who is given little to do in the clichéd role of hard-nosed police Lieutenant Dunne, while Jennifer O'Neill, as policewoman Mandy Rust, is really only there as eye-candy.
5/10 for the sake of nostalgia.
But to be honest, the film really isn't that great, being a rather predictable late '70s cop drama with a few not particularly impressive fight scenes amidst all of the routine investigative nonsense. Chuck puts in a surprisingly good performance as Matt Logan, the karate expert brought in to help train a narcotics squad after several of their cops wind up dead, but despite choreographing the fight action himself (with help from his brother Aaron), his martial arts skills are given very little opportunity to shine. The final showdown between Logan and evil karate fighter Sparks (Bill Wallace)—who unwisely offs Logan's adopted son Charlie (Eric Laneuville)—really isn't worth the wait, taking place in the middle of the night and in slow motion. The film also wastes the talent of character actor Clu Gulager, who is given little to do in the clichéd role of hard-nosed police Lieutenant Dunne, while Jennifer O'Neill, as policewoman Mandy Rust, is really only there as eye-candy.
5/10 for the sake of nostalgia.
- BA_Harrison
- Mar 30, 2015
- Permalink
Not bad at all. In fact VERY enjoyable!
I saw this when it opened back in '79. I actually saw Bill Wallace fight the week before and Chuck Norris was in his corner. I had just started studying karate about a year earlier so I was psyched about seeing it. I have to disagree with a few people's opinions about this movie. While no one would EVER confuse this with Academy Awards material; for what it is, it's not bad at all. In fact, it can be downright enjoyable! As for the fights, a lot of people have been putting them down, especially the ring fights. I thought that they were, for the most part, outstanding. You have to remember that back when this was filmed, the concept of "fighting the camera" to bring the audience into the fight was a relatively new concept and was very effective for its time. Granted, it's been WAY overused since then, but remember that this was 1979. So just keep in mind it's time and limitations and I think that you can really have a blast with this one. I do.
One is all you need when Chuck Norris is the One!!!!
As if Chick Norris with the blonde Mustache isn't dangerous enough, but at least he saved some of the hair off his back. Then again, he could have killed appointments just by having them look at it.
This is a good crime drama. it's about a new drug cartel whose deadly enforcer is a masked karate expert who has no problem killing anyone including cops to protect his boss' investment. The police force decides to bring in their own karate expert, Matt Logan played by the blonde mustache to train them.
The only problem with the movie is Chuck Norris is not kicking enough ass in it. Made during the time when Norris is known best as a Marshal arts master on level with the legendary Bruce Lee, Chuck barely throws a kick in this film.
Who wants to see that? Chuck Norris can't act and he knows he can't act so why would you down play the reason you hired him in the first place?
Like I said a good crime drama, but not worth anything if Chuck an'it ripping a man's heart out of his body with a kick, and you know he can do it, too!
This is a good crime drama. it's about a new drug cartel whose deadly enforcer is a masked karate expert who has no problem killing anyone including cops to protect his boss' investment. The police force decides to bring in their own karate expert, Matt Logan played by the blonde mustache to train them.
The only problem with the movie is Chuck Norris is not kicking enough ass in it. Made during the time when Norris is known best as a Marshal arts master on level with the legendary Bruce Lee, Chuck barely throws a kick in this film.
Who wants to see that? Chuck Norris can't act and he knows he can't act so why would you down play the reason you hired him in the first place?
Like I said a good crime drama, but not worth anything if Chuck an'it ripping a man's heart out of his body with a kick, and you know he can do it, too!
- bbickley13-921-58664
- May 16, 2014
- Permalink
Classic Chuck That Entertains!!
Written by stunt veteran and bit-part actor Pat Johnson (The Big Brawl) who also has a role here as a referee (repeating the same again in all 3 original Karate Kid movies), this 1979 martial arts thriller isn't too bad at all, and still holds up as an entertaining film over 40 years later!
Chuck Norris had had a few starring roles up to this point, but really started to kick things off with this action flick and its predecessor, Good Guys Wear Black. From here on in, big Chuck was on a role delivering a kick-ass action film annually and making a name for himself as America's action hero.
At times, its like watching an episode of Cagney and Lacey - but that's not a bad thing of course. As with all his films, Chuck's soft talking but genuine performance as the martial artist brought in to help the police find a killer, is refreshing to see compared to what we get with most Hollywood modern action heroes who are normally loud, angry and swearing all over the place.
There was something genuine with most actors - main roles or not - from this era. They could act! Even the worst ones still came across better than most extras and bit-players in today's blockbusters. Director Paul Aaron doesn't do too bad with his second feature film project. At the time of production, he was stepfather to a certain Keanu Reeves, who had reportedly encouraged him to take on the project as a fan of martial arts movies...
Well known character actor, Clu Gulager plays the chief of police, making the most out of every scene he gets - over-acting in style as we've seen him do many times before in Return Of The Living Dead, A Nightmare On Elm Street 2, and any amount of classic TV shows from the 70's and 80's. Superfly, Ron O'Neal, gets some great moments as one of the cops helping Norris and O'Neill who, incidentally, doesn't do too bad herself!
While its not the fastest paced film ever, it never lulls too much to bore. I was never a huge fan of the early Chuck Norris films in my teen years - hypnotised by the wonders of Hong Kong cinema respectively - but I have to say, I'm enjoying going back to see them after all these years. The fights aren't overly spectacular compared to what was coming out from the East at the same time, but they pass the time alright.
Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace gets his first starring role, getting to show his stuff in and out of the ring and obviously getting a big finale with Chuck. It's nothing compared to his fights in 1985's The Protector - and even more so, the re-shot fights Jackie did for the Hong Kong version - but its good to see him in action (and with hair).
A Force Of One is hardly one of the greatest action thrillers of all time, but it is a good watch and simple entertainment. For me, watching it on this VTC unrated VHS just adds to experience, but I wouldn't say no to a widescreen HD version. I'd say it was most definitely the inspiration behind the fun martial arts project, Bloodmoon, starring Gary Daniels and Chuck Jefferys from 1997...
Overall: As to be expected with Hollywood's late seventies cinema, A Force Of One still passes the time today and isn't all that bad!
Chuck Norris had had a few starring roles up to this point, but really started to kick things off with this action flick and its predecessor, Good Guys Wear Black. From here on in, big Chuck was on a role delivering a kick-ass action film annually and making a name for himself as America's action hero.
At times, its like watching an episode of Cagney and Lacey - but that's not a bad thing of course. As with all his films, Chuck's soft talking but genuine performance as the martial artist brought in to help the police find a killer, is refreshing to see compared to what we get with most Hollywood modern action heroes who are normally loud, angry and swearing all over the place.
There was something genuine with most actors - main roles or not - from this era. They could act! Even the worst ones still came across better than most extras and bit-players in today's blockbusters. Director Paul Aaron doesn't do too bad with his second feature film project. At the time of production, he was stepfather to a certain Keanu Reeves, who had reportedly encouraged him to take on the project as a fan of martial arts movies...
Well known character actor, Clu Gulager plays the chief of police, making the most out of every scene he gets - over-acting in style as we've seen him do many times before in Return Of The Living Dead, A Nightmare On Elm Street 2, and any amount of classic TV shows from the 70's and 80's. Superfly, Ron O'Neal, gets some great moments as one of the cops helping Norris and O'Neill who, incidentally, doesn't do too bad herself!
While its not the fastest paced film ever, it never lulls too much to bore. I was never a huge fan of the early Chuck Norris films in my teen years - hypnotised by the wonders of Hong Kong cinema respectively - but I have to say, I'm enjoying going back to see them after all these years. The fights aren't overly spectacular compared to what was coming out from the East at the same time, but they pass the time alright.
Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace gets his first starring role, getting to show his stuff in and out of the ring and obviously getting a big finale with Chuck. It's nothing compared to his fights in 1985's The Protector - and even more so, the re-shot fights Jackie did for the Hong Kong version - but its good to see him in action (and with hair).
A Force Of One is hardly one of the greatest action thrillers of all time, but it is a good watch and simple entertainment. For me, watching it on this VTC unrated VHS just adds to experience, but I wouldn't say no to a widescreen HD version. I'd say it was most definitely the inspiration behind the fun martial arts project, Bloodmoon, starring Gary Daniels and Chuck Jefferys from 1997...
Overall: As to be expected with Hollywood's late seventies cinema, A Force Of One still passes the time today and isn't all that bad!
- Movie-Misfit
- Feb 9, 2020
- Permalink
A perfect vehicle to upcoming star Chuck Norris!!
Even Norris didn't get top billing he was slowing paving a solid career in Hollywood as raising star skilled fighter, actually Norris was one the first forerunner of this new genre, the time was running on your behalf, the cinema industry envisages already a mother lode in Norris.
The summarized plot about some uncovers policemen of San Diego strangely has been killed by someone with high skilled in martial arts when they are looking into a drug dealers, then the wary Chief of Police Lieutenant Clu Gulager is advised by the female Cop Jennifer O'Neal to asking aid of Vietnam veteran and professor of martials arts Chuck Norris to training the whole police squad aiming for defend themselves against this menacing fighter.
In this early kickboxer movie to mourn the lame screenplay with serious factual mistakes along the offer, attached with slow pacing and so phony fighting even in fine choreography, however nobody hurst anyone visible, a dull story, therefore the whole things hand over to Chuck Norris's showmanship.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1988 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 5.5.
The summarized plot about some uncovers policemen of San Diego strangely has been killed by someone with high skilled in martial arts when they are looking into a drug dealers, then the wary Chief of Police Lieutenant Clu Gulager is advised by the female Cop Jennifer O'Neal to asking aid of Vietnam veteran and professor of martials arts Chuck Norris to training the whole police squad aiming for defend themselves against this menacing fighter.
In this early kickboxer movie to mourn the lame screenplay with serious factual mistakes along the offer, attached with slow pacing and so phony fighting even in fine choreography, however nobody hurst anyone visible, a dull story, therefore the whole things hand over to Chuck Norris's showmanship.
Thanks for reading.
Resume:
First watch: 1988 / How many: 2 / Source: TV-DVD / Rating: 5.5.
- elo-equipamentos
- Jul 7, 2024
- Permalink
A Force of Chuck
This is another entry in run of one of my favorite action/martial arts stars Chuck Norris. This is also another under the radar gem, it's not totally overlooked but it has been a little bit forgotten. I'll admit isn't one of my favorite films from him nor martial arts films, but I enjoyed seeing it all the same. And the film was to me the one and last film from the 70's era of Chuck that I like; however this film was an important film because it was the one that really help grease the wheels of Chuck's run.
Not a lot I can say, it's a straightforward basic detective thriller plotline which really isn't too important as it's the kind of plot you probably seen in dozens of episodes of detective shows like "Hawaii Five O" (revival version to be exact), "NCIS", you name it. Though I like how the film treats it with seriousness, which I like showing the characters are all living in the real world, there is even a bit of intrigue if not a great deal. Though by its nature it's all really just a clothesline for the action and bits of suspense.
The supporting cast does fine, Clu Glulager (Return of the Living Dead) he is solid as the police chief , I like that he's not a stereotypical police chief that is always an unsupportive jerk but one that actually supports and helps the team. Jennifer O Neill an underrated actress I like, is solid as the competent determined police detective. The late Ron O Neal best known as "Superfly" is also in this, he does alright with his role as one of the fellow detectives which isn't much, though he's also kind of a Chuck Norris film alumni as he was in the film "The Hero and the Terror" years later.
However, were all in this movie for Chuck Norris and he is great in this, pretty much being his usual self, a good natured tough guy whom wants to do the right thing. His character is likeable as he's got that quiet rugged charisma and has a lot of things going for him. There are good scenes, really like some of the training/semenar season with Jennifer O Neill and the fellow cops which was done in Chuck's actually Dojo which was really cool, it would have been awesome to of gone to that dojo and be trained by Chuck.
Even like some of his chemistry with Jennifer's character which was decent, it's not a great romance but hey I take it over any crappy romance movie from "Lifetime" or any thing else any time; but both characters worked well together and had a good back and forth together.
He also becomes sympathetic when tragedy occurs for him as the main villain crosses the line with Chuck, at that moment you all the more want Chuck to win but also know the main villain is a dead man walking because you know no force on Earth is going to stop Chuck.
There is a good/decent music track to the film, it's not really memorable but I don't mind listening to it as it's serviceable. The suspense is decent it's not exactly edge of your seat, but it's serviceable as there are the close shaves.
The action is good, it always is with Chuck around, from the kickboxing/martial arts tournaments we see at the beginning of the film, to the one near the end, which are cool, I always like seeing fighting tournaments in martial arts films.
Down to the fights with the main villain, like one fight in the street where the main villain is trying to kill Chuck with nunchakus, but of course Chuck isn't going to have that.
My only problem with the film is the pacing, there are some slow spots in the film were not a lot happens. That's not a big deal as those spots don't last long but there still there, it just felt they either could have trimmed the movie down a bit or had one exciting scuffle or another. If you want to you can always fast forward or select another scene just to get past those spots.
Overall, "A Force of One" is a solid film and a solid start for Chuck, If you're a fan of Chuck Norris this film is worth a look. Chuck is a force to be reckoned with.
Rating: 3 stars
Not a lot I can say, it's a straightforward basic detective thriller plotline which really isn't too important as it's the kind of plot you probably seen in dozens of episodes of detective shows like "Hawaii Five O" (revival version to be exact), "NCIS", you name it. Though I like how the film treats it with seriousness, which I like showing the characters are all living in the real world, there is even a bit of intrigue if not a great deal. Though by its nature it's all really just a clothesline for the action and bits of suspense.
The supporting cast does fine, Clu Glulager (Return of the Living Dead) he is solid as the police chief , I like that he's not a stereotypical police chief that is always an unsupportive jerk but one that actually supports and helps the team. Jennifer O Neill an underrated actress I like, is solid as the competent determined police detective. The late Ron O Neal best known as "Superfly" is also in this, he does alright with his role as one of the fellow detectives which isn't much, though he's also kind of a Chuck Norris film alumni as he was in the film "The Hero and the Terror" years later.
However, were all in this movie for Chuck Norris and he is great in this, pretty much being his usual self, a good natured tough guy whom wants to do the right thing. His character is likeable as he's got that quiet rugged charisma and has a lot of things going for him. There are good scenes, really like some of the training/semenar season with Jennifer O Neill and the fellow cops which was done in Chuck's actually Dojo which was really cool, it would have been awesome to of gone to that dojo and be trained by Chuck.
Even like some of his chemistry with Jennifer's character which was decent, it's not a great romance but hey I take it over any crappy romance movie from "Lifetime" or any thing else any time; but both characters worked well together and had a good back and forth together.
He also becomes sympathetic when tragedy occurs for him as the main villain crosses the line with Chuck, at that moment you all the more want Chuck to win but also know the main villain is a dead man walking because you know no force on Earth is going to stop Chuck.
There is a good/decent music track to the film, it's not really memorable but I don't mind listening to it as it's serviceable. The suspense is decent it's not exactly edge of your seat, but it's serviceable as there are the close shaves.
The action is good, it always is with Chuck around, from the kickboxing/martial arts tournaments we see at the beginning of the film, to the one near the end, which are cool, I always like seeing fighting tournaments in martial arts films.
Down to the fights with the main villain, like one fight in the street where the main villain is trying to kill Chuck with nunchakus, but of course Chuck isn't going to have that.
My only problem with the film is the pacing, there are some slow spots in the film were not a lot happens. That's not a big deal as those spots don't last long but there still there, it just felt they either could have trimmed the movie down a bit or had one exciting scuffle or another. If you want to you can always fast forward or select another scene just to get past those spots.
Overall, "A Force of One" is a solid film and a solid start for Chuck, If you're a fan of Chuck Norris this film is worth a look. Chuck is a force to be reckoned with.
Rating: 3 stars
- hellraiser7
- May 19, 2020
- Permalink
Entertaining, but put your brain on hold
Early Chuck Norris action flick offers some enjoyment provided you go in with the right attitude.
When two narcotics detectives on the trail of a major drug ring are murdered using martial arts, the rest of their squad is ordered to investigate local karate schools for potential suspects, and to train themselves in case the killer strikes again. This leads them to Chuck Norris, as Matt Logan, champion kickboxer and karate school proprietor with a personal distaste for the drug trade. He agrees to train the cops and of course gets caught up in the rest of the action. One , or more, of the squad is dirty, naturally, and the bodies pile up as the heroes get closer to the truth.
Jennifer O'Neill , sporting an ultra short haircut, shares top billing as the detective with the closest contact with Chuck. Other members of the squad include Ron O'Neal, James Whitmore Jr, Pepe Serna, Clint Ritchie and the wonderfully monikered Chu Chu Malave. Also with Clu Gulager as the Lieutenant, Eric Laneuville, Charles Cyphers, G.W. Bailey and real-life karate champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.
This is the kind of cheap but entertaining movie that Norris excelled at throughout the early 80's, before his films turned more militaristic, the kind that Steven Seagal or Jean Claude Van Damme would make direct to video during the late 90's and early 00's. The kind they don't really make at all anymore. Whether or not that's a bad thing depends on the viewer. To me, it's a bad thing that nobody will take a chance anymore, that everybody goes for that middle of the bell curve.
When two narcotics detectives on the trail of a major drug ring are murdered using martial arts, the rest of their squad is ordered to investigate local karate schools for potential suspects, and to train themselves in case the killer strikes again. This leads them to Chuck Norris, as Matt Logan, champion kickboxer and karate school proprietor with a personal distaste for the drug trade. He agrees to train the cops and of course gets caught up in the rest of the action. One , or more, of the squad is dirty, naturally, and the bodies pile up as the heroes get closer to the truth.
Jennifer O'Neill , sporting an ultra short haircut, shares top billing as the detective with the closest contact with Chuck. Other members of the squad include Ron O'Neal, James Whitmore Jr, Pepe Serna, Clint Ritchie and the wonderfully monikered Chu Chu Malave. Also with Clu Gulager as the Lieutenant, Eric Laneuville, Charles Cyphers, G.W. Bailey and real-life karate champion Bill "Superfoot" Wallace.
This is the kind of cheap but entertaining movie that Norris excelled at throughout the early 80's, before his films turned more militaristic, the kind that Steven Seagal or Jean Claude Van Damme would make direct to video during the late 90's and early 00's. The kind they don't really make at all anymore. Whether or not that's a bad thing depends on the viewer. To me, it's a bad thing that nobody will take a chance anymore, that everybody goes for that middle of the bell curve.
What's up with these Karate people...?
I knew about this movie existing, but I never actually gotten around to watching it before now in 2024. I just never really were much of a fan of Chuck Norris, as he sort of always felt like a low budget alternative to the likes of Stallone and Schwarzenegger, and such action stars from my childhood. But I had the opportunity to sit down and watch "A Force of One" here in 2024, and opted to do so, and check out if I had been missing out on a great action movie.
Writers Pat E. Johnson and Ernest Tidyman put together a script and storyline that was watchable, though it was hardly an outstanding or memorable viewing experience. So no, I hadn't been missing out on a masterpiece in the action genre here, by not having sat down to watch "A Force of One" before now in 2024.
The only two faces on the screen that I was familiar with was Chuck Norris and Clu Gulager. The acting performances in the movie were generally good, but the actor Chu Chu Malave, playing Rudy, was fully and wholly stripped of acting talent, and the fight sequence between him and Chuck Norris was so cringeworthy that I had to go back and watch it twice, toppling over laughing at how fake and staged it was.
"A Force of One" was by no mean a cinematic masterpiece, nor was it among the best of Chuck Norris movies out there. I will say that it was watchable for what it was, but hardly a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time.
My rating of director Paul Aaron's 1979 movie "A Force of One" lands on a generous four out of ten stars.
Writers Pat E. Johnson and Ernest Tidyman put together a script and storyline that was watchable, though it was hardly an outstanding or memorable viewing experience. So no, I hadn't been missing out on a masterpiece in the action genre here, by not having sat down to watch "A Force of One" before now in 2024.
The only two faces on the screen that I was familiar with was Chuck Norris and Clu Gulager. The acting performances in the movie were generally good, but the actor Chu Chu Malave, playing Rudy, was fully and wholly stripped of acting talent, and the fight sequence between him and Chuck Norris was so cringeworthy that I had to go back and watch it twice, toppling over laughing at how fake and staged it was.
"A Force of One" was by no mean a cinematic masterpiece, nor was it among the best of Chuck Norris movies out there. I will say that it was watchable for what it was, but hardly a movie that I will be returning to watch a second time.
My rating of director Paul Aaron's 1979 movie "A Force of One" lands on a generous four out of ten stars.
- paul_haakonsen
- Oct 21, 2024
- Permalink
Better than similar movies of same period, but...
This movie could have been worse, but there is still a lot of silly business. The idea of teaching cops karate in one or two lessons to defend themselves against a cop killer who is an expert is obviously not going to work. Of course, it is also obvious that the actors, such as Jennifer o'Neill, do not really know how to handle a gun, but you can see that annoying flaw in contemporary movies and TV as well (although some series and movies have gotten better about that).
Clu Gulager gives a bizarre, scenery-munching performance that makes Chuck Norris look like a master of subtlety in contrast. Ms. O'Neill is so laid-back she seems mousy. Other members of the cast are a mixed bag. I almost didn't recognize a young Eric Laneauville as Norris's adopted son. (Don't ask.) He was pretty good in this thankless role. (He has continued to act occasionally, but in 1984 he also began directing television, and has been a prolific director ever since, from "St. Elsewhere" to "Lost" to "The Mentalist".)
I watched with closed captions (provided by Paramount) and some of them are funny: lines are sometimes left out or summarized rather than accurately presented; Mexican music is identified as Spanish music but they also correctly identify the language in which the musicians are singing as Spanish; the staff at the Inchon Restaurant which must surely be Korean are described as speaking Japanese.)
A nice touch throughout much of the movie are the reminders that Christmas in southern California is a warm weather holiday.
Clu Gulager gives a bizarre, scenery-munching performance that makes Chuck Norris look like a master of subtlety in contrast. Ms. O'Neill is so laid-back she seems mousy. Other members of the cast are a mixed bag. I almost didn't recognize a young Eric Laneauville as Norris's adopted son. (Don't ask.) He was pretty good in this thankless role. (He has continued to act occasionally, but in 1984 he also began directing television, and has been a prolific director ever since, from "St. Elsewhere" to "Lost" to "The Mentalist".)
I watched with closed captions (provided by Paramount) and some of them are funny: lines are sometimes left out or summarized rather than accurately presented; Mexican music is identified as Spanish music but they also correctly identify the language in which the musicians are singing as Spanish; the staff at the Inchon Restaurant which must surely be Korean are described as speaking Japanese.)
A nice touch throughout much of the movie are the reminders that Christmas in southern California is a warm weather holiday.