Invasion U.S.A. (1985)

27% of critics liked it
(11 reviews)
50% of users liked it
(6,594 ratings)

This red-baiting action film stars Chuck Norris as Matt Hunter, a retired CIA agent who lives in the Florida Everglades. A communist invasion of Miami brings Hunter out of retirement to fight the encroaching hordes led by everyone's favorite low-budget bad guy, Richard Lynch. The film is… More This red-baiting action film stars Chuck Norris as Matt Hunter, a retired CIA agent who lives in the Florida Everglades. A communist invasion of Miami brings Hunter out of retirement to fight the encroaching hordes led by everyone's favorite low-budget bad guy, Richard Lynch. The film is extremely jingoistic, presenting the evil communists staging an invasion on Christmas, demolishing a church, and attempting to blow up a school bus full of children. From the same school of thinking which produced Rambo and Red Dawn, this film at least features some convincing gore by makeup wizard Tom Savini (Friday the 13th), working on his third gig for director Joseph Zito. Zito and Savini returned with Red Scorpion. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Directed By: Joseph Zito
Written By: James Bruner
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Action & Adventure

In Theaters: Sep 27, 1985 Limited

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
Big and bouncy and so stupid that it's hard not to get carried away a little bit... Its gleeful badness is its saving grace.
Leo Goldsmith, Not Coming to a Theater Near You
Only Chuck - a libertarian redneck who simply wants to be left the fnck alone - has the red, white, and blue balls big enough to put an end to these problems.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Chuck at his best!
Stefan Birgir Stefansson, sbs.is
Norris single handidly defeating an army!
Frank Ochieng, Movie Eye
A clumsy, generic and kinetic actioner with Norris aimlessly kicking his way through this loud exorcise
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
Right-wing Cold War fantasies brought to ludicrous life.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

Very entertaining and fun low-budget action B movie that is meant to be pure mindless popcorn amusement from start to finish. Before watching this one, you should realize that this film was not meant to be taken seriously whatsoever. With a film starring Chuck Norris, how could it be?… More
Very entertaining and fun low-budget action B movie that is meant to be pure mindless popcorn amusement from start to finish. Before watching this one, you should realize that this film was not meant to be taken seriously whatsoever. With a film starring Chuck Norris, how could it be? As far as entertainment value is concerned, Joseph Zito's Invasion U.S.A. is a must see for B movie action fan. The action is over the top, and the acting is mediocre, but there's enough thrills in this one to keep you entertained and engaged with what's going on on-screen. I really enjoyed the film, but I agree it won't get any honors for original ideas in terms of great story, which is absent and great acting, which never does stand out. Norris does standout, due in part to his intentionally funny one liners and questionable acting. He's fun to watch on-screen nonetheless. If low-budget action flicks are your thing, then give this one a shot. Invasion U.S.A. is flawed mindless entertainment at its finest, just don't expect anything great and you'll probably enjoy it. Director Joseph Zito is an effective director for low-budget pictures, and he's perfect for this material presented here. This is a film that is meant to be enjoyed with friends over a couple beers on a Friday night when you have nothing else better to do. Invasion U.S.A. is a film that tends to rely more on the action than anything else, and it does that very well. Minimal plot, a big body count, Chuck Norris kicking ass, if that's your thing, then definitely give this one a shot. The only reason that this film doesn't get a full score is because Chuck Norris reloads his weapons, I thought the guy never ran out of bullets!
David L

Hard-R, over-the-top, hilariously absurd action movie with a political paranoia bent. This film gives us a this-could-happen doomsday scenario from the era of the Cold War. Maniacal Communist terrorists, led by poker-paced psychopath Rostov (Richard Lynch) land on American soil, just… More
Hard-R, over-the-top, hilariously absurd action movie with a political paranoia bent. This film gives us a this-could-happen doomsday scenario from the era of the Cold War. Maniacal Communist terrorists, led by poker-paced psychopath Rostov (Richard Lynch) land on American soil, just annihilating everybody in their path. But there is one man, and one man alone, who can save the day..."retired" secret agent Matt Hunter (Chuck Norris). Chuck gives one of his more stone-faced portrayals, but the character himself is one of his more sullen and ruthless. I'll say that much - these two adversaries deserve each other, although the final confrontation is a long time coming. I have to give credit where credit is due: the film-makers, led by director Joseph Zito, let us know up front we're in for a heck of a ride. They gleefully toss credibility out the window, and, just for good measure, dispense with any level of political correctness. The movie is rough, tough, and rousing (although it takes about half the film for things to really kick into gear), aided in no small part by a stirring music score by the talented Jay Chattaway. Sequences ranging from funny to just plain insane involve a) the messy dispatch of a sleazy drug dealer (Billy Drago) and a hooker, b) a loud and noisy assault on a suburban neighborhood, and c) a major shootout in a shopping mall. This film truly throws in everything (including the kitchen sink) for the sake of an entertaining show. Co-starring Melissa Prophet (whose gutsy, obnoxious, pushy reporter is more of an annoyance than anything else), Alexander Zale, Alex Colon, Eddie Jones, and Dehl Berti. Co-written by Chuck himself and James Bruner, based on a story by Bruner and Chuck's brother (and frequent collaborator) Aaron. My final parting words are just this: of the assembly line of Cannon Films action pictures and thrillers to come out of the 1980's, this has to rank up there as one of the most potent guilty pleasures that they made. Period.
Dean M

Three cheers for Norris by protecting USA and make wage war upon the army of terrorist mercenaries.
Lee K

Good chuck fare. If you can take away Chucks bad acting and all the Americana present then its not a bad action flick.

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Cast

Chuck Norris
as Matt Hunter
Richard Lynch
as Rostov
Melissa Prophet
as McGuire
Alex Colon
as Tomas
Alexander Zale
as Nikko
Dehl Berti
as John Eagle
Shane McCamey
as Kurt
Billy Drago
as Mickey
Dan Albright
as Gentleman Shopper
Bernard Barrow
as Supermarket Manager
Jeff Benninghofen
as Boy in Car
Megan Blake
as Girl Friend
Tony Bolano
as Terrorist with Tomas
Michael Carmine
as Tonio
Jon De Vries
as Johnston
Nate Esformes
as Terrorist with Tomas
Bruce Evers
as Terrorist as Guardsman
Dan Fitzgerald
as Veteran Cop
Bob Hannah
as Father at Church
Eddie Jones
as Cassidy
Charles Kahlenberg
as Security Guard at Mall
Stephen Markle
as Flynn
Bernie McInerney
as Detective Tom Green
Gerry Murphy
as Bouncer
James O'Sullivan
as Harper
James Pax
as Koyo
Ruben Rabasa
as Sick Old Man
Nick Ramus
as Clark Little Hawk
Teresa M. Rojas
as Angela
Jaime Sánchez
as Castillo
Mario Ernesto Sánchez
as Victor
Martin Shakar
as Adams
Lisa Stahl
as Teen Girl on Beach
Laura Whyte
as Mother at Church
Wallace Wilkinson
as Pastor
Peter Bannon
as Newcaster
Jack Bell
as Newcaster
Sheryl Brown
as Girl on Car
Beth Burns
as Girl in Car
Jana Camp
as Christmas Daughter
Maria Doest
as Mickey's Coke Girl
Art Eckman
as Newcaster
Jason Ehrlich
as Mall Brat
Joe Frasca
as Young Cop
Amanda Graham
as Cindy
Gene Griessman
as Newcaster
Monica Kaufman
as Newcaster
Robin Kinsey
as Waitress at Beach
Tranette Ledford-Furnad
as Newscaster
Kevin Maggiore
as Security Guard
Alex Malenky
as Church Terrorist
Anthony Marciona
as Carlos
Tom Mintier
as Newcaster
Lorraine Morin
as Maria
Tommy Nowell
as Christmas Son
Randy Parks
as Policeman
Katherine Ann Payne
as Katherine Martin
Rene Rokk
as Teen Boy on Beach
Raymond Rosario
as Young Boy
Bella Shaw
as Newcaster
Andy Stahl
as Christmas Father
Dick Tirschel
as Church Terrorist
Jim Towers
as Captain
Bob Varsha
as Newcaster
Chondra Wolle
as Christmas Mom
Tarek Yordi
as Arab Commando
Anthony Correa
as George
Susan Sullivan
as Daughter at Church
Michael Kelly
as Male Tourist
Howard Jackson
as Street Person
Don Miller
as Newcaster
Robert Rodriguez
as Counter Man
Jon DeVries

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Invasion U.S.A. (1985)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Jeff "

David L

Dean M

Lee K

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