It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable

Rugged former secret service agent Matt Hunter (a solid and credible performance by Michael Dudikoff) does his best to protect his black Senatorial candidate best buddy Larry Richards (an excellent and charismatic portrayal by Steve James) from a group of racist right-wing fanatics called Pentangle who are led by evil millionaire Elliott Glastenbury (ably played with lip-smacking wicked relish by John P. Ryan).Director Sam Firstenberg, working from a compact script by James Booth (who also acquits himself well as the shifty Admiral Brown), keeps the gripping and inspired premise moving along at a brisk pace, maintains a surprisingly gritty and serious tone throughout (the filmmakers earn additional praise for placing kids in real jeopardy as well as for not being afraid to kill off certain characters one expects to usually live in these kinds of pictures), evokes a flavorsome New Orleans atmosphere, and stages the action set pieces with considerable skill and brio, with a definite corker of a last third pitting Matt against various heavies in the Louisiana swamps. This film further benefits from a neat array of nasty bad guys: William Wallace as cocky young Wade Delaney, Karl Johnson as the brutish Commander Jeb Wallace, Marc Alaimo as the slippery Charlie Lavall, and Loren Farmer as slimy worm Andrew Parker. The winning and utterly convincing chemistry between James and Dudikoff gives this movie some genuine heart and soul. Gideon Porath's glossy cinematography provides an impressive slick look. George S. Clinton's spirited score hits the stirring spot. Superior action fare.

The first time I glimpsed this movie was about 12-13 years ago. It was late, i could not sleep, so I was flipping through the channels. I had never heard of Michael Dudikoff, American Ninja, or this movie, but I had nothing else to do. (Keep in mind i was about 12 at the time.)I am glad that I did stumble upon this. The plot is creative and sturdy. Dudikoff and James, having been real life friends, possessed a great chemistry on screen. John P. Ryan gives a great performance, even if at times he comes across as too arrogant and sometimes effeminate. The actress who portrays the little sister can be annoying, but, her performance doesn't hamper the progress of the movie. She is easy to look past.Since having watched this for the first time all those years ago, I have seen many more of Dudikoff's films. This one is still the one i consider the best. (Soldier Boyz runs a close second.) If you like action movies that actually contain a plot, give this one a try.

Michael Dudikoff and Steve James are back together in this one, again for director Sam Firstenberg and Cannon Films. Unlike most Cannon pictures, however, this one is actually good. Steve James is an ex-Secret Service agent running for office in New Orleans, and a secret racist group called The Pentangle attempts to assassinate him, as they don't want blacks in public office. James calls on his old friend Dudikoff to help him, and the two of them try to find out who is behind The Pentangle. Dudikoff and James definitely have a good chemistry between them, as they showed in "American Ninja" and both are very good in their parts. Director Firstenberg keeps the film moving smoothly, and stages a spectacular action sequence during a Mardi Gras parade. John Ryan does his usual good job at villainy. All in all, a very enjoyable little action piece.

For Cannon films - and Michael Dudikoff - this is definitely above average. There's Steve James (who leaves the movie much too early, sadly. He didn't like being in this film, by the way, and you'll see why), good action scenes (brutal fights!), and scummy and hateful bad guys who get what's coming to them. What more could you ask for?