The premise alone raises a skeptical eyebrow, and though in no time the exposition reveals the reasoning behind it, the plot is still unquestionably a slight contrivance of movie magic. Definite strains of sexism quickly pop up in the dialogue, even as a few smart lines plainly lay out the earnest sense of putting women in positions of power and decision-making. The loose "buddy-cop" tenor of this TV movie, pairing burned-out Harris Stone (Stacy Keach!) with spitfire Charlotte Heller (Cynthia Rothrock!) is ripe for possibility, even if it's the type of scenario we've seen over and over - while the nature of the production, and the straightforward, fairly common narrative, somewhat constricts the possibilities for the stars, the action, and the thrills. The shopping mall setting ensures we'll get familiar scenes of characters' resourcefulness or 'Die Hard' -style "hero against the world" fireworks - and even still, at the same time, there are core aspects of the plot that are all too real, and all too disturbingly relevant 30 years on, as white supremacists quietly infect society. 'Irresistible force' is a little too sober for viewers seeking a classic Rothrock romp, while other cast members find themselves in a feature that's maybe a tad over the top and gauche compared to other works in their oeuvre. For all these varied aspects, however, there's also no mistaking that this movie is still a pretty great time.
Keach is a solid anchor for the cast, and Rothrock has rarely adopted this serious a comportment. Christopher Neame, delightful scenery-chewing character actor that he is, is a fantastic villain as James Barron, cold and vicious; Paul Winfield, even only in a small supporting part, is a pleasure to see; and - oh hey, the other kid from 'Free Willy' is here, too! Hi, Michael Bacall! None of the characters are especially remarkable as they are written, but the assembled actors all do a fine job of realizing their parts and bringing the film to life with exhibition of heartier acting chops than the average TV movie of years past. In the more quietly dramatic moments of the screenplay the dialogue feels distinctly strained, though we also get a fair number of amusing quips or one-liners to help keep us engaged. The narrative may be constructed around beats and ideas that we've seen before, but it's nonetheless duly absorbing, with suitable tension and suspense throughout. And while the scene writing has the same struggle that the dialogue does, where it's characterized above all with action or immediate high-stakes pressure, it's solid. Writer Carlton Eastlake has only a scattering of credits to his name - but honestly, his screenplay is much stronger, on its own merits, than I would have assumed before I sat to watch.
'Irresistible force' is limited by the fewer resources that are budgeted for TV movies, and at its best it still feels like a step down from its major studio blockbuster brethren. The feature is really rather fast-paced, and breezes through its 77 minutes. The other side of that easy flow is that the thrills and drama don't necessarily have the full impact that they should, and the last several minutes - including the climax - kind of lack the organic manifestation and resolution that they should. All the same, there was far more care put into this title than I could have possibly anticipated. The action sequences, including melee fight choreography, are genuinely fantastic (within the bounds of television network allotment). Why, Rothrock has more opportunity to illustrate her martial arts skills than the nature of the production would usually portend. Inescapably captivating it may not be, but all things considered, I'm pleasantly surprised by how worthy this really is. For any number of reasons, personal preferences above all, it won't be for everyone. Yet for those viewers open to second-tier genre flicks of any variety may well find themselves taken aback as I have - no essential classic, 'Irresistible force' still capably delivers a reasonably exciting little piece of cinema that deserves a look if you have the chance.
