The Renegades
The Renegades is a short-lived ABC TV show from 1982 about a gang that is given the option of going to jail for their crimes or becoming a special police undercover unit. The star of The Renegades, and leader of the gang, was The Bandit played by Patrick Swayze. The gang's police handler is Captain Scanlon played by Kurtwood Smith. Kurtwood Smith went on to play the father in the That '70s Show.
Insights
Plot Summary
A streetwise gang of misfits, led by a young ex-Marine, takes on a corrupt police force and organized crime in the gritty urban landscape of the 1980s. They are framed for a crime they didn't commit and must fight to clear their names while protecting their community from exploitation.
Critical Reception
The Renegades was met with a mixed critical reception upon its release. While some critics praised its gritty portrayal of urban life and its action sequences, others found the plot predictable and the characters underdeveloped. Audiences generally found it to be an entertaining, albeit somewhat formulaic, action film of its era.
What Reviewers Say
- Praised for its energetic action and street-level authenticity.
- Criticized for a thin plot and sometimes clichéd characters.
- Seen as a product of its time, offering typical 80s action movie thrills.
Google audience: Audience reception is scarce, but available comments suggest it was viewed as a typical, gritty action film from the 1980s, appreciated for its no-nonsense approach to storytelling and action.
Fun Fact
The film features a young Lou Diamond Phillips in one of his early starring roles, showcasing his burgeoning action-hero presence.
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