My review was written in January 1989 after watching the film on AIP video cassette.
Bearing the generic title "Striker" (used for numerous '80s action pics), this above-average Italian actioner actually is a 1987 production called "Combat Force" introducing a pair of impressive gung-ho stars.
Frank Zagarino is the blond commando blackmailed (on a trumped-up charge) to go to Nicaragua on behalf of the Patriotic Freedom Organization to rescue a journalist (John Phillip Law) being held by the Sandinistas and their evil Soviet leader (John Steiner). Accompanying him on his mission is beautiful black commando Marta (Melonee Rodgers) who proves to be able to hold her own and then some in both hand-to-hand combat and wielding automatic weaponry.
Pic, attractively lensed on location in Santo Domingo, is a series of battles, captures and escapes that's well-executed by Enzo G. Castellari, here credited with a new pseudonym: Stephen M. Andrews. Zagarino is physically right for the role and has some okay emotional scenes later on after being introduced as a monotone "Rambo" clone. Co-star Rodgers is a find; her combination of statuesque beauty and convincing physical powers mark a logical successor to Pam Grier.
Weird touch has Zagarino's real-life dad (who bears a close family resemblance to the star) cast as the evil general in charge of the rightwing PFO. Their final confrontation carries some added bite.
The Italian filmmakers take pot-shots at both superpowers meddling in Latin America, with Steiner' heinous torturer for the Russkies while the PFO is revealed to be shipping arms to both the contras and Sandinistas as part of a drug-trafficking ring.
Tech credits are fine.
Bearing the generic title "Striker" (used for numerous '80s action pics), this above-average Italian actioner actually is a 1987 production called "Combat Force" introducing a pair of impressive gung-ho stars.
Frank Zagarino is the blond commando blackmailed (on a trumped-up charge) to go to Nicaragua on behalf of the Patriotic Freedom Organization to rescue a journalist (John Phillip Law) being held by the Sandinistas and their evil Soviet leader (John Steiner). Accompanying him on his mission is beautiful black commando Marta (Melonee Rodgers) who proves to be able to hold her own and then some in both hand-to-hand combat and wielding automatic weaponry.
Pic, attractively lensed on location in Santo Domingo, is a series of battles, captures and escapes that's well-executed by Enzo G. Castellari, here credited with a new pseudonym: Stephen M. Andrews. Zagarino is physically right for the role and has some okay emotional scenes later on after being introduced as a monotone "Rambo" clone. Co-star Rodgers is a find; her combination of statuesque beauty and convincing physical powers mark a logical successor to Pam Grier.
Weird touch has Zagarino's real-life dad (who bears a close family resemblance to the star) cast as the evil general in charge of the rightwing PFO. Their final confrontation carries some added bite.
The Italian filmmakers take pot-shots at both superpowers meddling in Latin America, with Steiner' heinous torturer for the Russkies while the PFO is revealed to be shipping arms to both the contras and Sandinistas as part of a drug-trafficking ring.
Tech credits are fine.