Avenging Angel

Plot

Betsy Russell takes over as part-time prostitute Molly Stewart in this disappointing sequel to the surprisingly good Angel (1984). Old pals Rory Calhoun and Susan Tyrrell are along for the search for the killer of the cop who saved Molly's life in the first film, joined by street magician Johnny Glitter (Barry Pearl). More brutal and hard-edged than the original, this installment is just another violent action movie, despite some slick camerawork and a fast pace. One peculiar touch is the frequent use of Bronski Beat's savage dance hit "Why?" which, although it has appropriately exciting music, it concerns gay-bashing and has no relation whatsoever to the storyline. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Review

This sequel to the surprise hit Angel is a technically slicker affair but lacks most of the elements that distinguished its predecessor from run of the mill b-movie fare. First off, the performances in Avenging Angel lack the combination of sincerity and energy that informed the performances in the first film: Betsy Russell's performance as Angel is depressingly flat and inexpressive and reliable character actors like Susan Tyrell and Rory Calhoun end up lapsing into cartoonish schtick because the underwritten script gives them little to do. The only actor who acquits himself well is Ossie Davis, who brings some dramatic weight to his stock role as a friendly police chief. The film also suffers from a schizophrenic script that throws in everything from bloody shootouts to silly slapstick without ever finding the careful balance of these elements used in Angel. Finally, the direction suffers from awkward pacing that saps suspense from the action and allows the comedic moments to drag until they wear out the welcome. All these elements make this a movie that fails to deliver the electrically charged fun of a good drive-in film. In short, Avenging Angel can only be recommended to hardcore b-movie devotees. ~ Donald Guarisco, Rovi

Cast

• Betsy Russell - Angel/Molly Stewart
• Rory Calhoun - Kit Carson
• Robert F. Lyons - Detective Andrews
• Susan Tyrrell - Solly Mosler
• Ossie Davis - Capt. Moradian
• Barry Pearl - Johnny Glitter

Ross Hagen - Ray Mitchell; Tim Rossovich - Teddy Butts; Estee Chandler - Cindy; Steven M. Porter - Yo-Yo Charlie; Paul Lambert - Arthur Gerrard; Frank Doubleday - Miles Gerrard; Richard DeHaven - Terry; Tracy Robert Austin - Pat; Michael A. Andrews - Mike; Karin Mani - Janie Soon Lee; Billy Beck - Tall Man; Edward Blackoff - Studs; Laura Burkett - Blonde Hooker; LeRoy Daniels - Bootblack; Howard Honig - Baylor; Tony Lorea - Man in Bowler; Kin Shriner; Robert Tessier - Tattoo Artist; Lynda Wiesmeier - Debbie; Joseph Michael Cala - Sanitarium Guard; Hoke Howell - Seven Fingers Sid; Jeanne Lucas - Shopping Cart Sally; Charlene Jones - Hooker; Deborah Sue Voorhees - Roxie; Richard Acunto - Spectator; Carl Bressler - Prof. Garfield; Bill Cakmis - Security Guard; Paul "Mousie" Garner - Joe Borenstein; Jessica O'Neil - Little Buck; Jan Peters - Businessman; Liz Sheridan - Nurse; Charlene Shires - Spectator; Claudia Templeton - Claudia; Dick Valentine - Cop

Credit

Robert O'Neil - Director, John Bowey - Editor, Christopher Young - Composer (Music Score), Paul F. Antonelli - Composer (Music Score), David Wheatley - Composer (Music Score), Stephen Marsh - Production Designer, Peter Lyons Collister - Cinematographer, Bryan England - Cinematographer, Sandy Howard - Producer, Don Levin - Producer, Michael S. Murphey - Producer, Mel Pearl - Producer, Keith Rubinstein - Producer, Joel Soisson - Producer, Gary F. Bentley - Special Effects, Greg Landerer - Special Effects, Vince Deadrick, Jr. - Stunts, Jesse Wayne - Stunts, Joseph Michael Cala - Screenwriter, Robert O'Neil - Screenwriter, Patricia Hall - Set Decorator

Previous:	Avenger (2006 Film), Avenged Sevenfold: All Excess (2007 Film)
Next:	Avenging Angel (1995 Film), Avenging Angel (2007 Film)