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