Episode 141 - Invasion U.S.A. (1985) w/ Special Guest: Bryan Kristopowitz

Episode 141 - Invasion U.S.A. (1985) w/ Special Guest: Bryan Kristopowitz

From Failure to Franchise by Trev & Chris

March 10, 2026 · 1h 57m

About this episode

The episode discusses the 1985 film Invasion U.S.A. and its place in the legacy of Cannon Films with guest Bryan Kristopowitz.

For film fans of the '80s, one studio was synonymous with over-the-top action, wild premises, and low to mid-budget insanity. Cannon Films delivered a massive output of video store staples and cable classics, and today are looked back on nostalgically as an entertaining alternative to the "big" studio fare of the era. But Cannon certainly had at least one thing in common with the major studios - their fare share of failed franchise starters. So we're devoting two months to the studio's "Misfired Cannons." First up, a look at the 1985 Chuck Norris vehicle Invasion USA , which sees the denim-clad action icon single-handily take on an army of foreign terrorists invading the United States. It might not be the "best '80s action movie," but it is arguably the " most '80s action movie." But we couldn't discuss such a crazy cult-classic alone, so for this discussion we're joined by Bryan Kristopowitz, author of the "Gratuitous B-Movie Column" on the 411mania website, and the recently published book, Not Coming to a Theater Near You!: 50 Great Direct-to-Video Action Flicks of the Early 2000s. So slip on your Chuck Norris Action Jeans, and join us for an in-depth discussion of one of the…

People in this episode

Hosts: Trev, Chris

Guest: Bryan Kristopowitz

Topics covered

  • 1980s action films
  • Cannon Films
  • failed franchises
  • Chuck Norris
  • cult classics

Keywords

  • Invasion U.S.A.
  • Cannon Films
  • Chuck Norris
  • 1980s action movies
  • failed franchises

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cannon Films

Books & works: Invasion U.S.A., Not Coming to a Theater Near You!: 50 Great Direct-to-Video Action Flicks of the Early 2000s

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