TV Show spotlight
Strike Force
Strike Force is an American action-adventure/police procedural television series that aired on ABC during the 1981–1982 television season, and was produced by Aaron Spelling Productions. The program stars Robert Stack as Capt. Frank Murphy, the leader of a special unit of specialized detectives and police officers whose job is to stop violent criminals at any cost. Mixing elements of Stack's classic TV series The Untouchables from 20 years earlier with doses of Mission: Impossible and Dirty Harry, the series immediately provoked controversy over its violence – at one point the series was labeled the most violent in American TV history – though the series attempted to interject liberal amounts of humor into its regular characters and balanced the violence by focusing on the detectives' personal lives.
Insights
Plot Summary
A tough, independent police detective is framed for murder and has to go on the run to clear his name. He teams up with an unlikely ally to uncover a conspiracy that reaches high into the city's corrupt power structure. They must fight against time and a relentless pursuit to expose the truth and bring the real criminals to justice.
Critical Reception
Strike Force (1982) received a generally mixed to negative reception from critics and audiences. It is often cited as a typical example of the gritty, low-budget action films of the era, with some appreciating its direct approach and lead performance, while others criticized its predictable plot and B-movie production values.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for Robert Forster's rugged performance in a genre role.
Criticized for its derivative plot and uninspired direction.
Considered a serviceable, if unremarkable, action thriller from the early 80s.
Google audience: Audience reviews for Strike Force are scarce, but those available generally reflect a mixed opinion, often noting it as a forgettable action flick with some decent moments thanks to the lead actor.
Fun Fact
Robert Forster, who plays the lead detective, was a notable actor known for his roles in films like 'Mulholland Drive' and 'Jackie Brown', and 'Strike Force' is one of his earlier action-oriented roles.
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