review for Angel III: The Final Chapter on AllMovie

The third entry in the popular Angel series delivers all the cheap thrills one would expect from such a film yet never manages to generate much excitement. Despite a plot that incorporates exploitation film staples like drugs, prostitution, adult movies, and white slavery, Angel 3: The Final Chapter never becomes involving because its script relies on these elements to carry its lackluster and predictable plot. The film is further hampered by rote, colorless characterizations; the title character is surprisingly lacking in street smarts for someone who is supposed to be an ex-prostitute and the other characters all fall into conveniently labeled types. Despite these problems, Angel 3: The Final Chapter does have a few attributes. The film boasts some skillful supporting performances; Richard Roundtree turns in credible work in the kind of policeman role he has played several times over since Shaft and Mark Blankfield gives the film a much-needed shot of energy and comedy with his scene-stealing turn as Angel's sidekick, Spanky. Director Tom DeSimone also manages a surprising level of slickness on what is obviously a low-budget, the best example being a nicely crafted car chase near the finale. However, these flashes of inspiration are few and far between and this makes Angel III: The Final Chapter too dull for anyone except the most patient exploitation film fans.