Film Review: An Eye for an Eye (1981)

All those who want to see how 1980s action film looked like should probably watch An Eye for an Eye, 1981 police film directed by Steve Carver, because few such films are as generic as this one. The protagonist, played by Chuck Norris, is Sean Kane, undercover detective in San Francisco Police Department. He and his partner Dave Pierce (played by Terry Kiser) are about to meet their informant Tony Montoya (played by Mel Novak), who promised to reveal the name of persons involved in major heroin smuggling operation. The meeting is actually an ambush in which Dave dies. Kane is so upset with the death of his friend that he leaves the police in order to pursue his own investigation. Dave’s girlfriend, television reporter Linda Chan (played by Rosalind Chao), also wants to investigate San Francisco drug smugglers, only to get brutally killed. Kane wants to avenge her with the help of her grieving father and martial arts expert James Chan (played by Mako) and Linda’s colleague, news editor Heather Sullivan (played by Maggie Cooper). Linda’s boss Morgan Canfield (played by Christopher Lee) also volunteers to help Kane.

Script by James Bruner and William Gray is filled with cliches. Main protagonist is lone policeman who battles all-powerful drug dealers, has some very personal motive for doing so and gets in conflict with his superiors, including African American boss (here played by Richard Roundtree). Script also allows the protagonist to take some time off from his crusade in order to start romantic relationship with a woman who he has met during the investigation. Yet, despite the lack of originality, An Eye for an Eye is solid film. Chuck Norris is hardly great actor, but his old associate Steve Carver puts his formidable martial arts skills to good use and creates plenty of scenes in which Kane, despite being disarmed, convincingly takes out enemies armed with guns. The acting in the film is also more than solid, especially in the case of Rosalind Chao, who would later become known for appearing in Star Trek TV shows. Stuart Pankin is also good in the role of snobbish pimp, while Matt Clark does credible job in the role of Kane’s old friend from police. Some of the action scenes, on the other hand, takes place during night and are somewhat confusing, unlike the great spectacular showdown at the end. An Eye for an Eye is solid, but not particularly remarkable film which could be recommended only to most devoted Norris fans.

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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