Somewhere in the Atlantic off the coast of Florida, a boat bobbed helplessly in the water while the Spanish-speaking occupants bemoan their fate. But wait! A Coast Guard ship arrived and the commander welcomed them to the United States. There was much cheering. Then the crew of the Coast Guard ship opened fire, killing everyone aboard, men, women, and children. Searching the ship, the killers discovered a huge stash of cocaine. The commander, Mikhail Rostov (Richard Lynch), is pleased. With this, he will fund a terrorist campaign throughout the United States. Rostov used the drugs to purchase guns from Mickey (Billy Drago), whom he promptly murdered immediately. Soon after, landing craft bring in hundreds of terrorists on a Florida beach at night. Rostov dispatched them in small bands throughout the United States to wreak havoc. Often disguised as the police or national guardsmen, these terrorists cause the citizens to distrust the very authorities trying to protect them. Madness ensued. Rostov had but one concern: Matt Hunter (Chuck Norris). In fact, he had nightmares about Hunter and insisted on assembling a team specifically to kill Hunter.
Matt Hunter was a former counter-terrorism specialist who left the service on bad terms. In fact, he had once had the opportunity to kill Rostov but had been called off. Now he lived a peaceful life in the Florida everglades with his pet armadillo. Even though Agent Adams (Marin Shakar) tried to recruit him against Rostov, Hunter declined. Then Rostov and a team of assassins blew up his house! Hunter was on the case.
Dahlia McGuire (Melissa Prophet) was a freelance reporter who had an uncanny ability to be present when the terrorists struck. Though she has several encounters with Hunter, there is never any hint at romance. She's just a reporter who might need saving.
There is no particular plot to the movie. The terrorists strike and Hunter arrives to defeat them. It's somewhat episodic. Now we're in the suburbs, now we're in a mall, and now we're at a church. The structure of the movie is more that Rostov is the main character and Hunter is his nemesis. To Rostov, this is a horror film. He is truly scared of Hunter, who keeps showing up like a horror movie monster and killing more and more of his unfortunate terrorists. Hunter's tactics are consistent: he captures a terrorist, beats some information out of him, and foils an attack. He does have one of his all-time great lines:
"If you come back in, I'll hit you with so many rights you'll be begging for a left."
There are few actors who could say that line and have the same impact. Just that line made the movie worth the watch. Like Diehard, it is set during Christmas and may thus be considered Chuck Norris's Christmas movie.
This is an action movie for action sake. There are gunfights, explosions, car chases, and even a massive military battle at an office building for the climax. Hunter and Rostov finally face off. The final duel has them armed with bazookas!
Great popcorn fun and recommended.
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