This is not a good movie, and yet, see this if you don’t really have to shell out money to do so. In 1982, Hasbro was working on a relaunch of G.I. Joe, with cartoons, action figures, comic books, etc. I guess Mattel was working a similar angle and did the costume design for the MegaForce crew (shiny tan spandex), and released some HotWheels vehicles based on the movie. If the movie had been a big hit, there likely would have been much more merchandising.
Quick plot summary: the U.S. military contacts MegaForce (secret high-tech, highly-trained paramilitary squad) to goad a foreign military unit into crossing into a peaceful neighboring country’s border, which would justify U.S. forces intervening. This goes sideways, which sets up a final confrontation between the two groups, and their respective leaders (and former friends) Ace Hunter (Barry Bostwick) and Duke Guerera (Henry Silva).
Director Hal Needham is a famous stuntman, so there are stunts throughout, many involving motorcycles. I don’t think anyone gets killed, but lots of explosions. Eleven year old kids probably ate this up when it came out. You really get the feel this was supposed to launch something big, but it is so ridiculous critics just laughed it off. Worth seeing for the campiness, absolutely.
