One Man Force

My review was written in July 1989 after watching the film on Academy video cassette.

An okay action pic, "One Man Force" is notable as a rare starring role for the late John Matuszak, who does well as a sensitive, tough guy detective.

Film was briefly test-released theatrically in June but more logically will find its niche in video stores.

Matuszak plays an L. A. cop who goes on the rampage when his partner (Sam Jones) is killed by drug dealers. His boss is a police lieutenant essayed by Ronny Cox, identical to his "Beverly Hills Cop" film roles but with a twist at pic's end.

Main plot has him hired (after being suspended from the force) to solve the kidnapping of a rock star (played by Stacey Q), which Matuszak ultimately links to a money-laundering ring.

Pic is buoyed by an excellent supporting cast of familiar talent including Sharon Farrell as a diner owner and Charles Napier as a villain. Matuszak handles the physical action with aplomb and also is effective in several dramatic scenes.

Tech credits are above average, including an energetic musical score by David Michael Frank.