A Force Of One (1979)

Maybe it's hard to believe for 'younger' people, but there was a time when Chuck Norris was more than a meme.

Yes, shocking. I know.

Mr Norris was more or less the American answer to Bruce Lee. He had the martial arts prowess and he also ventured forth into the world of acting and action films in order to make a name for himself. The only difference being that Mr Norris unfortunately is not gifted with a large dose of charisma, something that Bruce Lee did have.

If I suddenly stop writing, that means Mr Norris has just karate chopped me to death through the internet.

It's not really Mr Norris' fault. Except for some more known films like 'Delta Force', his agent never seemed to select high profile films for him and in the midst of a martial arts craze in Hollywood, most of his films fall into the 'sometimes entertaining, but lacking in every other department'-department. And yes, that is still a correct sentence, thank you very much.

Case and point is this one. It's not a bad film, not really. It's just very bland and pedestrian, written very blandly and acted rather woodenly. And I will not overindulge in the adverb-section, have no fear.

Police officers are on the trail of a druglord when several of them get killed by a skilled martial artist. Norris is karatechamp and is tasked with training the officers and in the meantime, he is on the hunt for whoever is killing these people.

You know, even though the plot is by the numbers, you could turn this into an engaging and entertaining action film. The potential is there. But besides Norris, the only actor who seems a little invested is the always wonderful Clu Gulagher. If you have no idea who that wonderful man is, you really need to refresh your B-film library.

Yes, I actually said it: Norris, who is often made fun of because of his fairly wooden delivery and facial expression, is one of the best actors in this thing. That little twinge of his epic moustache when he's angry? That is grade A acting right there.

Everything unfolds very, very predictably and because the pacing is sooo incredibly mundane, there is never a moment of excitement. Really, the editor of this needed some version of a kick in the backside.

The final fight is relatively entertaining, but you have to slog through 80 minutes of boring exposition. I'd rather call this 'A Force Of Zero Point One'.