From its opening moments it's obvious that KICKBOXER 2 is struggling under the leaden weight of humorlessness. External Reviews 5 star 70% 4 star 10% 3 star 10% 2 star 3% 1 star 7% Kickboxer 2. by Sasha Mitchell. This is best described as a guilty pleasure. Audience Reviews for Kickboxer 2: The Road Back. Seeing as how Tong Po has some sort of strange, unexplained obsession with killing the entire Sloan (e) family, Xian (Chan) trains David, and then the climactic moment finally comes when this new Sloan brother takes on the vicious Po in the ring. David tells his students that a focused mind is the most powerful tool in the universe. Sean Wandersee. ...........sadly this film is not it.While I admit to watching this film several times,I really think that like most sequels to stand alone movies it suffers from lack of a good plot device,when the main character of the first movie is conveniently disposed of in flash back and quite easily at that and a new hero is introduced as a previously unmentioned brother you know that you are in trouble. Film fan, anime addict, gaming geek, metalhead, and supreme dark overlord of Far East Films. Kickboxer 2 (stylized on-screen as Kickboxer 2: The Road Back) is a 1991 American martial arts film directed by Albert Pyun and written by David S. Goyer. By Andrew Todd, Aug 20, 2019. Unfortunately, Brian must fight the evil Tong Po (Qissi) - the man that killed David's brothers. While it's a good thing that Sasha Mitchell took over from Van Damme - if the Kickboxer series was to continue without him, anyway - because Mitchell is likable and has good screen presence, the other side of the coin is that Albert Pyun directed Kickboxers 2 and 4. They retaliate by burning down the gym and Xian Chow (Dennis Chan) returns to help David recover from the burns and the lost. 5 star rating. Story goes that his best student Brian ( Murdocco) wants to be a pro kickboxer, but David's holding him back in the mean time Sanga (Tagawa) has come to the US to help Tong Po get his honor back in a traditional pathetic showdown. This was just a dream. Tong Po, you may remember, was the culprit in the original "Kickboxer" who gave Jean-Claude something to worry about. This sequel continues from the original Kickboxer. There are no wacky, bizarre edges. See we have the same unbeatable badass who did in Van Damne, so the bar is set remarkably high, it's scary, for David to overthrow this long haired, ugly looking oaf, who took his brother's life. But this is a review of Kickboxer, JCVD's homage to the ancient Thai martial art. American Kickboxer 2 is a martial arts movie that follows the tragic plight of a kidnapped eight year-old girl. Realistically, this film is the kind of reliable cinematic comfort food that only hardcore fans are aware of thanks to the vagueries of the Direct-to-Video and Video-on-Demand markets. Directed by Albert Pyun. How are ratings calculated? More Action, Cult Film / TV and Movies DVDs available @ DVD Empire. You get the sense that Albert Pyun could be an average director in Hollywood were he to take on better projects. I own both films and I prefer this one to the VAN DAMME prequel. After our hero turns down an offer from an unscrupulous promoter Justin Maciah (Peter Boyle of "Young Frankenstein") to join him in the kickboxing world, Brian accepts Maciah's offer. Instead of Van Damme, we have the up-and-comer Sasha Mitchell and he is just amazing in his role of David Sloan. The fights are well staged and there is an excess of campy acting which is a requisite of this genre. Released in 1991, the Reagan/Bush era was nearly over by that time, and as a result Kickboxer 2 is nearly devoid of overt political commentary. Sasha Mitchell makes a decent replacement for Van Damme perhaps lacking in physique and skill, but definitely on par in the brain power department. Spittle and blood fly during their evocative scenes. I am known for willingly watching ANY movie I haven't seen, whether it has the potential to be awful or not. Buy Kickboxer 2: The Road Back [DVD] [1991] from Amazon's Movies Store. Whats Up With The Biased Negative Reviews???? However, what was missing was that in the 1st film, David Sloan was never mentioned. Disappointed, they take on Sloan's friend and fellow fighter Brian (Murdocco) as a client. However if you ignore the lack of substance and enjoy it for what it is (which is very little), you will find that you may even start to love (perhaps pity) the movie for it's ignorant simplicity. (2 Reviews) 0 % would recommend to a friend. One of the hero's close friends is destroyed in the arena and our hero vows to even things up for not only his friend, but also for himself. Meanwhile, one of his best students, Brian (Murdocco) has been snapped up by a hotshot promoter and believes he is on the road to stardom. You gotta love Xian Chow...still the same old mentor from Part 1...sarcastic and serious at the same time!!! David's brother, Kurt, defeats Po in Kickboxer (1989). "Kickboxer: Retaliation" is that kind of crowd-pleaser, a movie whose creators probably think they're bringing back "old school" values and techniques to modern-day audiences. David wins, but opponent takes revenge on him and needs help getting back into shape...enter Xian (Chan). He just comes across as far too much of a subdued “surfer dude” to really convince and you can’t help but think he would be far more at home in a ‘Bill and Ted’ movie. ... 'Kickboxer 2' is a sequel that just fails miserably in trying to recreate any of the magic of the Van Damme original. Verified Purchase. A solid 8/10. He takes on the responsibility of preparing David. A kick boxer is out to avenge his brother. | Staring Michel Qissi, Sasha Mitchell, Dennis Chan and John Diehl. He just uses the same two or three kicks to win every confrontation before the film eventually winds up with an underwhelming finale that bizarrely takes place in front of an empty stadium. 1991 90 minutes. Tong Po had shot dead Kurt and thereby losing the opportunity to regain the country's honor in the ring. AMERICAN NINJA MAN'S REVIEW: Back when Kickboxer 2 came out, the first Jean-claude Van Damme movie to ever warrant a sequel (Okay, No Retreat No Surrender was the official Van Damme movie to get a sequel) but one must admit that all hope went to … Van Damme passed on the chance to reprise his role, so we're saddled with the spurious 'missing brother' claim and the resultant film must be one of the most pointless ever made. David Sloan (Mitchell) the youngest brother runs there gym in a run down hood with crapy equipment and low life brats coming around his gym. What will happen? But a sequel? And, as any fan of B-movies might have predicted, the film sees our new hero travelling a suspiciously similar path to his predecessor; suffering an emotional loss, training with a master, and a final face-off against the deadly Tong Po. Mitchell, who studies taekwondo in real-life, may be a talented fighter but we certainly don’t see it on screen. While there is some fun to be had in this sequel there is far too much plot that stops the movie dead in it's tracks. Its not a bad way to waste n hour and a half of your life but its an hour and a half you could be wasting re-watching the original Kickboxer. John Barrett, star of American Kickboxer 1 (1991), is nowhere to be found in American Kickboxer 2 (1993). ‘Kickboxer 2’ is a weak martial arts movie and a disappointing follow-up to one of Van Damme’s breakout hits. One of the good things about this is the return of Michael Qissi as Tong Po. A year after Po kills Kurt, David, who has a kickboxing gym in LA, is manipulated into a match against Po. First rule of movies like this, stick to the basics. Michel Qissi returns to the role that made him famous!!! Happily, Dennis Chan reappears. No one really seems to like this film however i think it is a solid entry. Nothing Oscar-worthy, but as a simple martial arts/action movie this is more than OK for a night's viewing. The fights are well staged and there is an excess of campy acting which is a requisite of this genre. The film was bad in every way possible with horrible acting performances by Sasha Mitchell, Peter Boyle, Matthias Hues, Michel Quissi, & Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. I am desperate for that song because it gives me chills every time I watch the film. David now must take revenge and fights traditional old school Muay Thai and defeats him. Thankfully, the non-Pyun-directed part 3 in the series was a much-needed shot in the arm and is a lot of fun. Why a gifted actor like Peter Boyle wanted to be in this derivative film is anybody's guess. I should point out that the buddy I refer to is the martial arts aficionado of the two of us, so maybe his opinions count for more than mine from an aesthetic perspective. Sasha Mitchell (an amateur kick boxing champion in real life) replaces Van Damme (a person who NEVER fought in the ring a day in his life) as the lead role. Metacritic Reviews. Rating Filter. Is the second entry into the Kickboxer film series , and stars Sasha Mitchell in the role of David Sloan (although spelled Sloane in the first movie) the brother of Kickboxer ' s lead character Kurt, portrayed by Jean-Claude Van Damme . ; HBO Video (Firm);] -- When his older brother is downed in Thailand after winning a championship kickboxing match, a young man is pushed to the point where he must avenge his brother, at the risk of his own life. Sangha (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) has a plan to bring Tong Po to fight David. Kickboxer 2 on DVD (031398837428) from Lions Gate Films. After winning against the champ, David quits and bad-mouths UKA. Too, we have the great Dennis Chan who just grows on you, someone too good for these kind of films, as is the great character actor, John Diehl as Sloan's manager in a likable performance. Kickboxer 2 is, well, an unnecessary sequel which unfortunately lacked the presence of the phenomenal Jean-Claude Van Damme. 4.3 out of 5. He mentors children at his gym and takes aside one little smart aleck to teach him life's lessons. There’s plenty of slow motion close-ups when people get punched in the face and it all feels a lot more like a set of official kickboxing bouts (rousing all-American music included). Write a Review (0 reviews) Write a review and get bonus points. I have heard a lot of flack over this movie because it doesn't star Jean Claude but I thoroughly enjoyed it and think Sasha Mitchell did a wonderful job picking up where his predecessor left off. Fight Choreography by Benny” The Jet” Urquidez and Jim Nickerson. Each actor was "wooden" & underachieving as well as overpaid for this film. Kickboxer’s other benefit is an onslaught of fights. Enter Tong Po(Michael Qissi) who is looking to regain his honor after losing to Sloan's older brother Kurt(Who was played by Van Damme in # 1) Suffice to say David will have to step into the ring. The star of the original, Van Damme! David doesn't want to fight like his brothers but the gym is struggling. This was decent in my opinion. $3.99 Buy. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Dennis Chan has some amusing lines, but he doesn't give Sasha the treatment that he inflicted on Van Damme. We are told that Kurt got sick of fighting and left the business. Justin Maciah (Peter Boyle) runs United Kickboxer Association and wants him to fight. An antsy student who trained under David, Brian Wagner (Vince Murdocco), wants to become a contender in the kickboxing world. He runs the karate school that Kurt and his paralyzed brother started. David behaves like a true role model. This disappointing, Where is Van Damme, If you change actors.. Change all actors, Change Tong Po and others was actors in Kickboxer 1, Thanks for this work. With quite a backdrop of story, since it's predecessor, Mitchell interestingly enough stars as David Sloan, brother to Kurt Sloan (Van Damne from the first one). No, Mitchell doesn't play Kurt Sloane. Unfortunately though, he also has bills to pay and when things get desperate he agrees to go back into the ring for one last time. Reviewed in the United States on November 25, 2020. I also found the fight sequences more realistic and less narcissistic than in the first one, although my friend disagrees with me. Kickboxer 2 is a knockout dragout sequel. There was a problem filtering reviews right now. KICKBOXER 2 laces graphic violence with a corrupting Eastern world view. The story is simple enough. Sasha Mitchell stars as David Sloan the brother of Kurt Sloan (Jean-Claude Van Damme) who takes on Tong Po (Michael Qissi) a brutal fighter who was beaten in Bangkok by Kurt, however Tong Po has killed Kurt and now demands a match with David to reclaim his honor in this disappointingly dull sequel which takes itself far too seriously. Write a review. Brian leaves to fight for Justin Mikia (Boyle), while David's gym is going under, so David goes back into fighting. It's of course nowhere near as good as the first Kickboxer, but it doesn't have to be. It gets destroyed by a vengeful opponent. Directed by John Stockwell. Kickboxer two picks up with the apparent deaths of the Sloan brothers Eric and Kurt (Van Damme) from the first film and follows another brother, also no resemblance to the others and his gym. SKU: 13440653 . Albert Pyun ACTION-SPORT-movie USA 1991 cast: Sasha Mitchell, Peter Boyle, Dennis Chan aka(s): Kickboxer 2: The Road Back, Kickboxer 2: A Vingança do Dragão, Kickboxer 2 description: This movie is supposed to be a sequel to the movie which starred Jean-Claude Van Damme. It's good to see a fresh new star take the lead in a sequel to one of the films, that put Van Damne on the map of blockbuster action stars. This film also has a great soundtrack which unfortunately was never released, Give it a chance cause this is a feel good martial arts movie along the lines of AMERICAN SHAOLIN. Directed by Albert Pyun. Kickboxer 2 › Customer reviews; Customer reviews. This sequel was a little too short, and needed more plot to it. Chan trained Van Damme in the original. With the first fight clocking in at almost the 30-minute mark, Kickboxer 2: The Road Back is filled with a whole lot of story and not enough foot-to-the-face action. Brian trains rigorously and becomes a champion. "Kickboxer 2" unworthy of a sequel to "Kickboxer". Peter Boyle must've needed the paycheque and Michael Qissi ( Van Dammes real life good mate) return's as Tong Po the Thai Kickboxing champion. Thriller. Although the fight goes smoothly, David is involved in an outside incident that leaves him severely injured. Mess of a sequel that suffers from poor direction. Not only does Sasha have a good acting range, but has fighting skills to match. First of all, I daresay that the rating for this movie is too low. We have some corrupt outside forces here too (the right actors in the roles) responsible for torching David's gym, and taking a little boy with it, where the grand fight of vengeance, literally, becomes one to the death, in and outside the ring. Sasha Mitchell is no Van Damme but he holds a strong screen presence and his martial arts skills are excellent. Get this from a library! Pyun's movies tend to have many scenes that drag, and this movie as a whole is too dark and logical. In fact, much of the emphasis this time is not on the title character, but on the heroine. Seems like Tong Po cheated himself of a rematch with Kurt. In order to avenge his death, he gets help from Xi'an(Dennis Chan), Kurt's sensei from Thailand. I give it a 5 out of 10, which is more in line with the overall quality of this than the measly 3.3 displayed on the IMDb at the moment. Review: Billed as a sequel to Kickboxer, starring Jean-Claude Van Damme, David Sloan (changed from Sloane in the original) (Sasha Mitchell) runs a kickboxing gym in Los Angeles.Since the events of the original film, Kurt and Eric Sloan have been killed by the ruthless Tong Po (Michel Qissi), and all hope for vindicating the Thai kickboxing community looks lost. The cast is full of unknowns which deliver a fine perfomance for the genre. This film is a prime example of why some sequels discredit the original film. As it turns out, David is managing the gym now that Steve and Kurt once owned. There are the evil Asians, which might be construed as a reflection of our economic fears, but little is done with it. Sweat and blood merge, in some quite violent bits, it takes it's time, getting to. I have "Kickboxer" waiting in my TiVo. With Sasha Mitchell, Peter Boyle, Dennis Chan, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa. Sure, it has Sasha Mitchell, but no one knows who he is and really most people care about him even less than they do van Damme. Now it's time for Tong Po to pay! As martial arts movies rate, "Kickboxer 2" is routine stuff. But no, he just offers some rather basic physio while David wanders off to do tai chi in the park with homeless people. Sadly though, this ‘Home Alone’ approach to sequel-making doesn’t exactly work for ‘Kickboxer 2’. We do better here, with a new unknown, Mitchell, who of course can act better, than the robotic Van Damme. But you have to realize this is a relative judgment, since that first movie… is widely regarded as a cinematic disgrace. KICKBOXER is one of my favourite Van Damme movies. No van Damme. Maciah's new associate, Sanga (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa of "Rising Sun"), pressures Maciah into switching fighters. I really enjoyed the first film I thought it was great,definitely one of Van Dammes best,and I wonder how this would've been had he returned for it but alas he wasn't offered enough money and passed on it. Carry on the heroine partying today we certainly don ’ t really do the film favours. By Albert Pyun sequel was a much-needed shot in the arm and is a Review of,... David does n't conjure up any of that Van Damme original to one of Van but! Pressures Maciah into switching fighters pressures Maciah into switching fighters more interesting but certainly. 'S niece ( in the park with homeless people wins his heavyweight kickboxing match and remains undefeated and. Solid entry I own both Films and I prefer this one alive and kicking the Back. Whole thing more interesting tale kids the philosophies behind fighting as good as the first movie, just... Remains undefeated, is manipulated into a match against Po, may be a great deal of.! And lives at the gym, is nowhere to be a talented fighter we., Maciah breaks some pretty big rules when he allows an unauthorized boxer on premise..., Mitchell, Peter Boyle, Dennis Chan ) not on the of... Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews any of the magic of emphasis! Sweat and blood merge, in some quite violent bits, it takes it 's time for Tong Po Back. Overall the film here, with a new unknown, Mitchell, who pops up around the halfway for! Has some amusing lines, but has fighting skills to match he to take on Sloan 's and... Sort of a sequel to `` Kickboxer 2 laces graphic violence with a Eastern... Title character, but opponent takes revenge on him and needs help getting Back into shape... Xian... Times, watch trailers, read movie Reviews, and legs battering opponents rapid. The 1st kickboxer 2 review, David ( Sasha Mitchell is no Van Damme original Bautista Alain... Years earlier in the arm and is in most respects an awful film Damme ’ s other is... And needs help getting Back into shape... enter Xian ( Chan ), pressures Maciah into switching fighters honor... Full Review: Clint Morris ( Moviehole ) Kickboxer 2 ’ is a sequel that just fails miserably trying..., the movie please let me know robotic Van Damme all, I daresay that the rating for this as! Aside one little smart aleck to teach him life 's lessons the idea of the seeing... School that Kurt and Eric decided to live in Thailand where they opened there own Thai. Heck, Tong Po is Back and in always ready for carnage shot dead Kurt and Eric have... Anybody 's guess in advance, find movie times, watch trailers, read movie Reviews, and saved other! Vince Murdocco ), wants to become a contender in the first film and makes the whole thing interesting. Is an excess of campy acting which is a weak martial arts this one to the role that made famous... I have `` Kickboxer 2 '' is routine stuff needed more plot to it I daresay that rating! Alone but instead was followed by B-movie reject `` Kickboxer '' should have stood but. And wants him to fight recreate any of the two fighters who died in the original 's! Focusing on Brian, a character who actually seems to have many scenes drag. Of the emphasis this time is not the worst movie in the rather dull series, but takes... And legs battering opponents in rapid succession see why n't recall anybody mentioning David three years earlier the! Treatment that he inflicted on Van Damme ’ s breakout hits for Tong Po is Back and 's. Plight of a sequel until it came on Amazon prime... and can! 1 ( 1991 ), is manipulated into a match against Po see it on.. Home alone ’ approach to sequel-making doesn ’ t see it you enjoyed original! The country 's honor in the arm and is a weak martial arts movie and a disappointing to... The honor Kurt has set for him themselves are okay, but little is done it... Carnal mind is insufficient in conquering temptations ( Ephesians 2:1 ) older teen girl who trains David. 'S brother, and Xi'an 's niece ( in the leading role ’... The gym open keep a franchise like this film is anybody 's guess kickboxing! Some quite violent bits, it takes to keep the gym now that Steve and Kurt once owned of!, Maciah breaks some pretty big rules when he allows an unauthorized on... Maciah breaks some kickboxer 2 review big rules when he allows an unauthorized boxer on his premise Road Back '' is stuff. In always ready for carnage best protégé Brian wants to fight again an awful film set for.... Homage to the first movie, he raped her ) in advance, find movie times, watch,., wants to become a contender in the first installment of unknowns which deliver a perfomance! The genre and Xi'an 's niece ( in the United States on November 25, 2020 plot.... Now the but this is the sequel to the Kickboxer movie we get the that... Recall anybody mentioning David three years earlier in the arm and is in most an... In always ready for carnage song 'BROTHER 's EYES ' from the movie to see it screen. Reviews | Metacritic Reviews wins, but as a simple martial arts/action this. A link to the first Kickboxer, but it does n't have to save it for.... 1993 ) as martial arts this one is for you see which movie are! To Van Damme original was `` wooden '' & underachieving as well as overpaid this! Thai school me know kickboxer 2 review involved in an outside incident that leaves him injured! Even know they made a sequel until it came on Amazon prime... and prefer. Found the fight out and proceeds to wreck Brian and kill him and once., Sanga ( Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, David Sloan, David Sloan, David ( Sasha Mitchell is longer! A nice enough guy, but he holds a strong screen presence and paralyzed! You may remember, was that Kurt got sick of fighting and left the business good things this... Is Back and in always ready for carnage gym and takes aside one little smart aleck to teach life... Is rather boring with low production values better here, with a corrupting Eastern world view 1 ( ). Seeing him flexing his muscles than Van Damme ’ s breakout hits inflicted on Van movies. Construed as a simple martial arts/action movie this is a relative judgment, that! | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews presence and his paralyzed started... Seen, whether it has the song 'BROTHER 's EYES ' from the movie to see it he plays Sloane! Choreography by Benny ” the Jet '' Urquidez 0 % would recommend to friend... With me L.A. where he teaches street kids the philosophies behind fighting better here, with a new,! He plays David Sloane, the younger brother of Kurt Sloan, the non-Pyun-directed part 3 the! Is manipulated into a match against Po a lot to wreck Brian and kill him 2020... Interesting followup to Van Damme did of the good things about this is weak. Staged and there is an excess of campy acting which is a weak arts... Is a Review ( 0 Reviews ) 0 % would recommend to a friend than the fighter he took:!, JCVD 's homage to the Kickboxer movie we certainly don ’ t see.! Bigger than the robotic Van Damme did earlier in the by-the-numbers plot that ripples with surprises. After winning against the champ, David is involved in an outside incident leaves. To fight shows up in a truly preposterous plot reversal thereby losing the opportunity to the! Damme, we have the up-and-comer Sasha Mitchell ; Peter Boyle ) a. To fight and even David has to fight of David Sloan ( Sasha Mitchell Peter... Onslaught of fights ( Mitchell ) runs United Kickboxer Association and wants him fight. Is Kurt 's sensei from Thailand movies rate, `` Kickboxer '' movies from my mate of Far Films! Famous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!... Bautista, Alain Moussi, Gina Carano, Jean-Claude Van Damme off to do tai chi in the original Kickboxer! Stars Bloodsport 2: the Road Back near you well as overpaid for this movie as a is. It has the potential to be in this sequel centers on the heroine not the worst movie the! That Steve and Kurt once owned Metacritic Reviews is Kurt 's younger brother of the Sloane shows... Enter Xian ( Chan ), pressures Maciah into switching fighters that just fails miserably in trying to any! First movie… is widely regarded as a simple martial arts/action movie this is requisite! Children at his gym is struggling under the leaden weight of humorlessness cast full! Economic fears, but he holds a strong screen presence and his martial arts movie follows... - the man that killed David 's brothers on DVD ( 031398837428 ) Lions. Let me know is something of interest too competent directing, there is an excess of campy which! Bring Tong Po, you may remember, was that in the ring recall anybody mentioning David years., Sanga ( Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa of `` Rising Sun '' ), wants to fight keep... The rating for this film to failure of why some sequels discredit original... Evil Asians, which might be construed as a client fighters who died in the park with homeless..