Flashback Friday

Avenging Force (1986)

Happy Friday once again my fellow Retronauts!  This week I've chosen a film to honor the late Menahem Golan who passed away last Friday.  Golan was a co-owner of Cannon Films who were responsible for a plethora of 80's B-film gems including the Death Wish series starring Charles Bronson, The Delta Force starring Chuck Norris, and both Breakin' and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo.  Not only is this film action packed, and features a great synth score but it also stars the American Ninja himself.

1986's Avenging Force, directed by Sam Firstenberg stars Michael Dudikoff as Matt Hunter, a highly trained former secret service agent who resigned to take care of his sister Sara following the murder of their parents.  While visiting his African American friend Larry Richards, a candidate for U.S. senate, he learns Larry has been receiving death threats.  Larry and his family are later attacked during a Mardis Gras party in New Orleans and his son is killed.  Matt contacts his former boss and learns the group responsible are known as The Pentangle, a racist right-wing paramilitary group led by Elliot Glastenbury, who enjoy a game of "hunting" men and are seeking revenge on Larry for foiling their plans in the past.

Matt moves Larry and his family to a farmhouse along with his sister Sara but The Pentangle attack again, this time torching the house and gunning down Larry and his family.  The Pentangle leave Matt unconscious and kidnap Sara, forcing him to participate in the "Big Game."  With no other choice Matt travels the backwoods of the bayou in search of Sara, finally finding her at a whorehouse in the middle of nowhere.  As Matt and Sara make their escape through the swamps of the bayou the members of The Pentangle set out to hunt them down. But can they outsmart and outskill the real Hunter? You'll definitely want to watch this one to find out!

As for the score, it's just what you'd expect from a Cannon Film.  Fast paced, adrenaline inducing synths perfectly suited for the exquisite over-the-top action featured in the film.  For a great accommodating synthwave album, check out the soundtrack for the short film RAGE, which features stellar tracks from various well known producers within the scene and is inspired by 80's action films and 90's beat-em-up video games.  An absolute must listen for you synthaholics out there!

So if you're jonesin' for some Dudikoff and pure B-movie gold then look no further! Till next Friday rockers, have a fun and safe week!

Magnum Crockett