This movie is the best Die Hard clone you’ve never seen
I love a good action movie. I absolutely love B-movie icon Cynthia Rothrock. And I have a huge weakness for the TV movies of the past few years. For this reason, I have nothing but love for Kevin Hooks’ Irresistible power. This 1993 action film doesn’t get everything right. But considering the financial and creative constraints placed on a TV movie, I think this flick works much better than it should. I’m sure Irresistible power isn’t for everyone. But if you share my appreciation for Rothrock’s killer martial arts skills and cheesy action cinema, you’ll probably have a lot of fun with this film.
The premise is this: Harris Stone (Stacy Keach) is a grumpy cop contemplating retirement. He was shot in the line of duty and wants to make sure he’s still alive to receive his pension when the time comes. When Harris discovers that statistically, female cops are less likely to draw their guns than their male counterparts and often prefer negotiation to hand-to-hand combat, he asks for a transfer. Harris’ commanding officer grants his request and introduces him to Charlotte (Cynthia Rothrock), a promising cadet who just missed graduating from the academy. Shortly after the two team up, they get caught up in a hostile takeover at a mall opening. I pity the bullies who play with Charlotte.
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Before I discuss the merits of the film, allow me to say that Irresistible power is representative of the era in which it was produced. Some of the humor is offensive and sexism is handled very differently than it would be today. Despite this, Charlotte spends most of the film exceeding expectations, taking out heavily armed terrorists and saving the day. I think the sexist attitudes of the male characters are meant to represent the problematic ideas about gender roles that existed in the era in which Irresistible Violence was published. The aim here does not seem to be to reinforce outdated ideas about gender, but rather to turn them on their head.
While the execution isn’t always perfect, I get the distinct impression that director Kevin Hooks and screenwriter Carleton Eastlake were aiming to increase female representation in the action genre, a field that has historically been a boy’s club. One of the core messages of this film is that we need to evaluate people as individuals rather than prejudge their abilities based on their biology. Rothrock drives this point home as she takes on a team of terrorists and proves crucial in the race to thwart their insane plans.
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While Keach may be the more familiar name to casual action fans, Rothrock is the real star of the show. She spends most of the film at the mall, fighting off terrorists while Keach’s character tries to get back in. We’ve been seeing more women at the center of action movies lately. Atomic Blonde is a great example. But an action film with a woman in the lead role was virtually unheard of in 1993. That makes Rothrock a pioneer who deserves far more recognition for her fight against gender stereotypes and Hollywood sexism when it was not nearly as commonplace.
Irresistible power is by no means Rothrock’s first film appearance. She began her career in action cinema in the mid-1980s. If you don’t know her work, you should also check out the China O’Brien Films. They should offer an accessible introduction to her cinematic work.
What makes Rothrock’s rise in the exploitation scene even more impressive is the fact that she wasn’t necessarily known as a sex symbol. In the ’90s, a woman starring in an action movie was usually there to show off her skin (think Anna Nicole Smith in skyscraper). Here, Rothrock stays clothed, appearing in a turtleneck and pants for most of the film. She is truly a pioneer whose influence on the action genre should not be underestimated.
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Irresistible power is an impressive display of Rothrock’s considerable martial arts skills. The fight choreography looks great because she has a black belt in multiple disciplines and knows how to throw a punch, throw a roundhouse kick, or turn almost anything into a weapon.
Keach and Rothrock have a strong chemistry here. They play over each other in typical buddy cop style and use common clichés of this subgenre. The film reminds me a little of Die Hard as a made-for-TV buddy comedy set in a mall. Don’t judge it until you try it.
As I mentioned, this movie was made for television, so there aren’t many guts or saucy expressions. But Irresistible power more than makes up for its lack of R-rated antics with nonstop action disaster that never goes on for too long. Seriously, the movie is less than 80 minutes from start to finish, so you really aren’t investing much time.
If Die Hard Because a buddy comedy set in a mall is exactly what you’re looking for, the film is currently available on physical media and YouTube.
Category: Editorial
