Okay, dim the lights, maybe adjust the tracking just a bit… remember that feeling? Popping a tape into the VCR, the whirring sound promising ninety minutes of escape? Sometimes you’d grab a familiar favourite, sometimes you’d take a punt on a cover that just screamed ‘action’. Chuck Norris glaring out, maybe some neon lights, hints of exotic locales? That’s the vibe that hits you right away with Forced Vengeance (1982), a flick that feels like it should have been a Cannon Films classic, even though it landed via MGM. It’s a raw slice of early 80s Norris, rougher around the edges than his later flag-waving epics, set against the genuinely atmospheric backdrop of Hong Kong.
### Neon Noir and Casino Chaos
Forget the dusty Texas plains for a moment. Forced Vengeance plunges us into the humid, crowded, neon-drenched streets of Hong Kong. Chuck Norris plays Josh Randall (a name almost as sturdy as the man himself), the head of security for the Lucky Dragon casino, run by his friend and surrogate father figure, Sam Paschal. When rival gangsters decide they want a piece of the action – a very hostile takeover involving murder – Randall finds himself protector to Paschal’s daughter, Joy (Camila Griggs), and on a relentless path of, well, forced vengeance. The plot isn’t exactly Shakespeare, but the setting gives it a flavour distinct from Norris’s usual stomping grounds. Director James Fargo, who knew a thing or two about gritty action having helmed Clint Eastwood’s The Enforcer (1976) and Every Which Way But Loose (1978), brings a certain workmanlike efficiency to the proceedings, capturing the energy and occasional sleaze of the city effectively.
### The Man, The Myth, The Moustache
This is Norris before he became the fully formed, roundhouse-kicking meme machine. Here, he’s still developing that stoic action hero persona. He’s lean, intense, and maybe a touch more vulnerable than the invincible commando he’d later embody. His martial arts skills are, of course, front and centre, but there's a rawness to his performance here. It’s fascinating to watch him navigate scenes that demand a bit more interaction, particularly with Joy and his burgeoning love interest, Claire (Mary Louise Weller, who many will remember from Animal House (1978)). The dialogue isn't always sparkling, let's be honest, but Norris sells the quiet determination of a man pushed too far. It's a different kind of intensity compared to his later, more bombastic roles. Fun fact: Norris was really hitting his stride as a solo action star around this time, carving out his niche after earlier roles supporting Bruce Lee. Forced Vengeance, while not a massive box office smash (grossing around $6.6 million domestically on a $5 million budget – roughly $20.8M on $15.8M today), was a crucial step in cementing that image, especially on the booming home video market.
### Raw Power: When Stunts Were STUNTS
Let’s talk about the real reason we slapped this tape in the machine: the action. And Forced Vengeance delivers it with that specific early-80s grit. Forget silky-smooth CGI; this is the era of guys really falling off things, cars genuinely smashing into each other, and squibs that looked like they actually hurt. The Hong Kong setting allows for some great environmental work – chases through crowded markets, fights in cramped alleyways, and a memorable sequence on the city's iconic Peak Tram. Remember how impactful those practical stunts felt back then? A car flipping felt heavy, a punch sounded like bone connecting. There’s a kinetic energy here, less polished perhaps than John Woo’s later ballets of bullets, but undeniably physical. Norris, naturally, handles the hand-to-hand combat himself, showcasing his Tang Soo Do skills in sequences that feel grounded and brutal rather than overly stylised. You can almost feel the humidity and desperation in some of these brawls. The film doesn't shy away from violence either; it earns its R-rating with moments that feel surprisingly harsh, even for the genre at the time.
### A Grimy Gem from the Video Store Shelves
Watching Forced Vengeance today is like unearthing a time capsule. It’s got that slightly grimy, early 80s aesthetic – the fashion, the cars, the smoky interiors. The plot mechanics are straightforward, almost primal: protect the innocent, punish the guilty. There are elements that feel dated, particularly some of the dialogue and the sometimes simplistic character motivations. Yet, there’s an undeniable charm to its directness. It knows what it is – a vehicle for Norris to look cool, kick butt, and navigate a visually interesting landscape. The film captures a moment in time, both in Norris’s career trajectory and in the style of action filmmaking before the budgets ballooned and digital effects took over. I distinctly remember seeing this cover on the shelves of my local video store, always tempted by the promise of Norris in a different setting. It wasn't Missing in Action or Delta Force, but it had its own gritty appeal.
Rating: 6/10
Justification: Forced Vengeance isn't top-tier Norris, and its plot is fairly standard revenge fare. However, the authentic Hong Kong setting gives it a unique atmosphere, James Fargo's direction is competent, and the action provides that raw, practical-effects thrill we crave from the era. It earns points for its grittier tone and for showcasing Norris in a slightly different, less polished light during his rise to superstardom. It’s dated in parts, sure, but for fans hunting down essential entries in the Norris VHS canon, it’s a solid rental.
Final Thought: It might lack the jingoistic bombast of his later hits, but Forced Vengeance delivers a satisfyingly gritty, grounded dose of early 80s action, best enjoyed with the hum of a VCR and maybe a slightly fuzzy picture – just like we remember it.