Over the top, comic book and bad b-movie influenced action film about a bunch of commandos in Central America taking on a military regime. Years after their first go round they go back to help Americans trapped in the small country (hey we're getting the guys back together). Every cliché you've ever seen in comic book or movie where a guy stands with a machine gun shooting people and objects is in this film. Every cliché about a band of man with ripped t-shits and their own hats is in this film. Every cliché you've ever thought of concerning an action film is in this film. Poorly acted, the film exists for its action sequences which are frequent and well done, if wildly over the top and silly. The film isn't bad but it should have been better. One wishes that the silliness and poor bits had been handled better so that they didn't run against the good bits as abrasively. Still if you're in the mood for some low brow no brain action this film is worth your time. To be certain you won't be singing its praises for all time, but you will have a good time in front of the tube with a bowl of popcorn and a soda. (I suggest trying it as part of a double feature)
2 Reviews
Utterly brainless Exploding Hut fun!
tarbosh2200020 September 2012
Warning: Spoilers
Real American Hero Jack Mannigan (Nichols) assembles a team of fellow "American Wardogs" to overthrow an evil dictator (is there any other kind?) in the Central American country of Cenagua. Their mission also requires them to save four American hostages and recoup crates of guns. The target is General Alfuero (Monty), and Mannigan's team consists of Hang Sang Kook (Tsai), Frank Stack (Anderson) and Bill Peters (Moss). Machine guns will be shot. Jungles will be trekked through. Huts will explode. Will Mannigan and his team achieve their mission? Find out today! As indicated above, Mannigan's Force is a combination jungle/Exploding Hutter crossed with the ever-popular "El Presidente" theme of the day. What sets this movie apart, if anything, is the complete and total lack of anything even remotely resembling character development, or even plot development. It's just shooting, blow-ups and other violence, for its own sake. And when it comes to the opening of the film, it totally works. It may not scale the awesome heights of the opening of Phantom Soldiers (1987), but really, what could equal that? This is, in its own way, a triumph. Watching an oiled-up George Nichols (is there any other kind?) screaming while firing two machine guns in slow motion is worth the price of admission right there. But, inevitably, there is a slowdown later in the movie and things get dull. Luckily it doesn't really stay that way, it's more of a roller-coaster kind of situation.
George Nichols (here credited as George Nicholas) of Sakura Killers (1987) fame is truly a treasure. It's a shame he kind of got lost in the shuffle during the 80's action boom. When everyone from Sylvester Stallone to Edward Albert were shooting, kicking and car-crashing away, Nichols should have had more time in the sun. But the market was very crowded then. Only now, with the passage of time and the advent of the internet, can action fans see another contender for the meathead throne. Perhaps only Nichols, manly as he is, can play a character named "Mannigan", who's undoubtedly all man - again.
Speaking of names, the movie was directed by a man named John Ryan Grace, in his only credited movie work. It's a shame, he should have done more and developed his talent. Interestingly enough, in his credit on the movie itself, the "Ryan" has an apostrophe and is "R'yan". How is that supposed to be pronounced, "Err-yan"? Maybe it's lost in translation. And even Mike Monty as the General is here Mike "Monti". While we always love seeing Monty, Mannigan's Force really belongs to the great George Nichols.
For utterly brainless Exploding Hut fun, it's hard to beat Mannigan's Force.
For more action insanity, drop by: www.comeuppancereviews.com
George Nichols (here credited as George Nicholas) of Sakura Killers (1987) fame is truly a treasure. It's a shame he kind of got lost in the shuffle during the 80's action boom. When everyone from Sylvester Stallone to Edward Albert were shooting, kicking and car-crashing away, Nichols should have had more time in the sun. But the market was very crowded then. Only now, with the passage of time and the advent of the internet, can action fans see another contender for the meathead throne. Perhaps only Nichols, manly as he is, can play a character named "Mannigan", who's undoubtedly all man - again.
Speaking of names, the movie was directed by a man named John Ryan Grace, in his only credited movie work. It's a shame, he should have done more and developed his talent. Interestingly enough, in his credit on the movie itself, the "Ryan" has an apostrophe and is "R'yan". How is that supposed to be pronounced, "Err-yan"? Maybe it's lost in translation. And even Mike Monty as the General is here Mike "Monti". While we always love seeing Monty, Mannigan's Force really belongs to the great George Nichols.
For utterly brainless Exploding Hut fun, it's hard to beat Mannigan's Force.
For more action insanity, drop by: www.comeuppancereviews.com
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
