Force: Five

1981's FORCE: FIVE was a particular favorite of my friend Paul, who was big into martial arts.  He had all the props - nunchucks, Chinese throwing stars, etc.  The latter make several appearances in this movie, as does a circular saw, prompting one character to utter the film's most famous line - "Thank God for Black and Decker!" Paul and some of the other neighborhood kids quoted that line often, but apparently not enough to drive me to see this movie back in the day.  Not sure why, it was definitely my kind of thing.  I caught up with it nearly forty years later.  

Some of you might think of Quentin Tarantino when you hear this film's title.  Remember Uma Thurman's bit in PULP FICTION? It's obvious that QT had some inspiration, certainly more than writer/director Robert Clouse, best known for the Bruce Lee classic ENTER THE DRAGON but also several undistinguished actioners like this.  The title refers to a diverse team of martial artists who are recruited to rescue a senator's daughter from a religious cult.  The movie gives each an establishing vignette, and none are really that interesting, save the one guy stuck in a third world prison who has somehow gotten luxury accommodations. These characters, like the movie itself, are far less colorful than hoped.  Even with Benny 'The Jet" Urquidez, the famous kickboxer among the cast.

Joe Lewis, another notable kickboxer, leads his team to the island of Reverend Rhee (Bong Soo Han), a charismatic figure who has convinced his followers to give up their worldly possessions and go with God.  Or at least with Rhee.  The reverend is very corrupt, of course, and the government's attempts to nab him have been unsuccessful.  In fact, anyone caught trying is led to a dark corridor in which an aggressive bull is waiting.  The animal is impressive and scary, the only such thing in this picture. 

FORCE: FIVE is an instantly forgettable potboiler that would probably only appeal to students of '80s shlock. There are a few laughs.  The fight scenes aren't that great.  Worse, its plot is merely a retread of ENTER THE DRAGON and the Jim Kelly vehicle HOT POTATO.  Han, who is sometimes billed with "Master" in front of his name, was previously in THE KENTUCKY FRIED MOVIE an anthology that included a DRAGON parody called A FISTFUL OF YEN.  You are far better off watching that.  Or even The A-Team.