Over the next several weeks, LakeFrontRow.com will announce one official Wisconsin Film Festival selection each and every Friday.
A selection from the festival’s “Restorations and Recoveries” program, Avenging Force (1986) sticks walking 80s time capsule Michael Dudikoff in the middle of Mardi Gras and, to quote Cannon Films’ trailer, “the ultimate form of pure savage combat.” As retired special agent Matt Hunter, Dudikoff is drawn into deadly business when a sinister organization known as the Pentangle (yes, really) kidnaps his sister as ransom for joining their ranks. Intended as a hasty sequel to 1985’s Invasion, U.S.A., where Chuck Norris literally stops an invading mercenary group all by himself, Avenging Force actually gains some charisma from Dudikoff pinch-hitting in the lead role. Maybe it’s from all the macho chemistry he shares with his American Ninja co-star Steve James.
The UW Cinematheque has already teased a follow-up series to their Orson Welles Centennial in this year’s festival, so a continuation of the Cannon Films retrospective isn’t much of a surprise. Festival-goers will be treated to a pristine restoration this year, but judging from the grimy YouTube trailer, this one already looks like a Grindhouse selection left on the cutting room floor — and I mean that in the best possible way. Avenging Force is an official Wisconsin Film Festival selection. Watch the trailer below: