As a child of the ’80s who grew up watching action movies, I can wholeheartedly say that “Invasion U.S.A.” is one of those films that left an indelible mark on my young mind. The film’s unique blend of action, suspense, and holiday spirit has always stood out among the typical action flicks of the era.
Since 2012, Chuck Norris hasn’t appeared in any movies. However, he accepted Sylvester Stallone’s call and played the tough character of Booker in “The Expendables 2”. It is said that a cobra died after biting him, showcasing his extraordinary toughness. Despite this, he remains admired by fans of action films. Known for his grit and straightforward demeanor, it’s no wonder he’s the subject of numerous internet memes. As a veteran of the United States Air Force, he also holds black belts in Tang Soo Do, judo, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Back in the ’80s, I’d have to say that Chuck Norris truly shone as an iconic action star. From “Missing in Action” to “The Delta Force”, he delivered more than a handful of raw, adrenaline-pumping movies that we still hold dear today. Now, Norris’ films might not be hailed as cinematic masterpieces due to their focus on action over plot, dialogue, and character development. But let me tell you, they are far from ordinary. In fact, some of these films deserve a second look from critics, especially “Invasion U.S.A.”, which can easily stand shoulder-to-shoulder with classics like “Die Hard” when it comes to holiday action movies.
In ‘Invasion U.S.A.’ Terrorists Choose Christmas Day to Attack America
Written and directed by Chuck Norris himself, along with Joseph Zito who’s famous for “Missing in Action” and “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter”, “Invasion USA” blends the essence of ’80s action films with holiday spirit. The narrative starts off using the familiar “I couldn’t resist!” plot device. Matt Hunter (Norris), a former CIA agent, is peacefully retired and living as a self-reliant individual, performing all the rugged tasks that one would associate with a Chuck Norris character. Life seems good for him, but for America, things are taking a turn for the worse. A group of Communist terrorists are preparing an attack, led by Soviet operative Mikal Rostov (Richard Lynch).
Consistently, the agency implores Hunter to emerge from retirement to tackle the chaos and discover why these assailants harbor such intense hatred towards America. However, he refuses, suggesting that his superiors consider fresh talent instead. This persists until the terrorists strike at his residence, taking the life of a dear friend. Being the type who doesn’t back down, the ex-CIA agent reaches for his Uzi pistols, one in each hand, and takes action. His leg is another formidable weapon in this fight.
Title him “Santa Hunter” for his uncanny ability to provide unexpected yet essential gifts: freedom and tranquility. Amidst the chaos of terrorists lurking across America, this lone figure miraculously frees the nation, enabling the celebrations to continue unabated.
‘Invasion U.S.A.’ Is More Christmas-y Than ‘Die Hard’
While many people view Die Hard as one of the top Christmas movies, it actually has minimal connections to the holiday itself. Instead, the film makes a fleeting reference to Christmas by mentioning that it’s Christmas Eve and setting part of the story at an office party in Los Angeles for the Nakatomi Corporation. The main character, John McClane, is a detective with the NYPD who wants to make amends with his wife, Holly, during this time. However, the majority of the film focuses on McClane’s efforts to thwart Hans Gruber from stealing $640 million in untraceable bearer bonds. The only holiday cheer or tension can be found in McClane’s humorous quips as he takes down the terrorists.
Contrasting “Invasion U.S.A.”, despite its title, it’s filled with Christmas motifs and the usual camaraderie expected during the holiday season, but the storyline is often disrupted by terrorists. One of the most memorable scenes unfolds in a suburban neighborhood on Christmas Eve, where everyone is joyous. A father is decorating a Christmas tree with his kids, teenagers are sharing a romantic moment inside a car, and residents are bustling around. The narrative flows peacefully until sudden violence disrupts the tranquility. Terrorists infiltrate the neighborhood, one brandishing a bazooka, making the rest of the story rather grim.
Midway through the film unfolds an exciting series of events. Amidst the Christmas shopping hustle at a mall, armed insurgents begin firing indiscriminately and causing explosions. Not long after, Hunter arrives in his pickup truck, plowing through the mall before neutralizing the assailants. He subsequently tracks down other terrorists to foil their plot to bomb a church filled with people celebrating Christmas. Later, he chases after a school bus transporting children and successfully disarms a bomb onboard, only to later toss it into the vehicle of Nikko, one of the villain’s associates.
This sequence surpasses anything we witness in “Die Hard”. Additionally, it features one of Chuck Norris’s most memorable lines: “If you step back inside, I’ll strike you with such a flurry of punches that you’ll plead for a left.” It doesn’t get any better than that!
‘Invasion U.S.A.’ Cast and Crew Got to Blow Up a Real Town
A significant amount of work was put into creating the movie “Invasion U.S.A.“, and even 40 years later, it continues to be a charming milestone in the tale-spinning of Cannon Group, featuring striking costume design (Norris in his denim outfits), vivid colors, and fantastic music that adds to the mayhem at Christmas theme.
As reported by The New York Times, the production cost of this movie was double the usual budget typically assigned for Chuck Norris films. To add to its uniqueness, a significant number of the Christmas-themed action sequences were shot and presented just as they are seen on the screen.
As a cinephile penning my thoughts on the 2014 documentary “Electric Boogaloo: The Wild, Untold Story of Cannon Films,” I must share an intriguing revelation. It turns out that those intense scenes where terrorists demolish homes with rocket launchers? They weren’t just movie magic; they used actual explosions in real houses. Quite a shocker, huh? That raw authenticity sure made for some gripping action!
At that point in time, Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta received approval for demolishing an entire suburban neighborhood to extend a runway. This provided filmmakers with the chance to simulate explosions of the existing homes. Meanwhile, part of the former Avondale Mall was being rebuilt, allowing the production team to wreck everything within the mall, leading to the exciting and chaotic fight scene between Hunter and the terrorists on-set.
Looking for some enjoyable entertainment during the holiday season? Let “Invasion U.S.A” take over your screen on your favorite streaming service!
You can freely stream the movie titled Invasion U.S.A. on platforms such as The Roku Channel, Tubi TV, and Pluto TV within the United States, but please note that these viewings will include advertisements.
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2024-12-07 05:31