Kickboxer 2: The Road Back (1991)

Kickboxer 2 is one of my most favorite films. It definitely belongs among the best movies about martial arts ever made. That is because it contains profound meaning about what martial arts is about - building character and being a good person who is able to overcome the obstacles of life and stand up for justice when needed. Sasha Mitchell is great. He has a big charisma and a big heart. He's also very fit for this movie as he was an amateur kickboxing champion and did martial arts his whole life. Kickboxer 2 has a great story that reflects a warrior's path. There is struggle, both physical and mental and there is a way of overcoming this through martial arts. Besides, this movie's got an amazing soundtrack and atmosphere right from the opening scene to the end credits. They just don't make movies like this anymore. It had a soul and a heart. The character of David Sloan is perfect. He is not a superhero and although he teaches the kids about focused mind, he himself hits rock bottom later on, both mentally and physically and needs help to get up and learn to walk again from teacher Xian. It just makes you totally care about the character and identify with him. We all face similar struggles in life. If you practice martial arts, then Kickboxer 2 is a must for you, if you don't, it's a must for you also and maybe you'll start.

I have "Kickboxer" waiting in my TiVo. Should I have seen it first? It's better to watch something new before I have to save it for later. And yet I could have watched "Kickboxer" and deleted it, and saved the other movie.So this is my introduction to the series.I didn't find out for years I liked Jean Claude van Damme. And I was surprised this wasn't him. It looked like him. But it was actually Cody from "Step by Step"--and he wasn't a silly buffoon! David Sloane runs an inner-city gym, and he cares about helping kids who are less fortunate. And that's a problem. He can't afford to pay the bills. He might have to go back to fighting, and a tragedy pretty much decides he will. But he has a very capable teacher.David's friend Brian wants to fight. And he does some things that are less than ethical.I was surprised Sasha Mitchell was so good as a fighter--and not bad as an actor either. Now I saw two movies about boxing the same day, and Ving Rhames gave a far superior performance, but Mitchell is good enough.The real standout performer is Dennis Chan as the man who gets David back in fighting shape.Humberto Ortiz impressed me as a street kid with an attitude who David might be able to help. I would have been happier if the whole movie had been like the first few scenes, with the focus on David teaching the kids rather than fighting and corruption.I didn't recognize Peter Boyle, not having ever seen an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond", but it's just as well. He was not a nice man. And one of his goons was much worse.Michel Qissi didn't have to say a word. He was a real bad boy in the ring. For those who say boxing isn't violent, you haven't seen boxing like this. THIS is violent.It's not a masterpiece, but if you like fighting, you might like this.

A solid 8/10. This sequel continues from the original Kickboxer. Kurt and Eric Sloan have been killed in revenge by Tong Po, under instructions from his manager Sanga. David Sloan (Sasha Mitchell), the youngest and last of the great Sloan dynasty, struggles to keep the family kickboxing gym afloat. His hopes rest on his pupil Brian Wagner (Vince Murdocco) who is a talent for the future and David hopes to get him into the big fights soon.Financial problems eventually force Sloan to fight again in a new organization run by a crooked promoter (Peter Boyle). His surprising comeback ultimately attracts the attention of Tong Po who, having been disgraced by Sloan's older brothers, seeks to lure their younger sibling back into the ring. David defeats opponent Neil Vargas (Matthias Hues) and retains his title. But when Sloan announces his retirement after the bout, Po's manager Sanga (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa) hires a group of thugs to burn down the gym, injuring Sloan and killing one of his young students.While recovering in the hospital, Sloan is visited by Xian Chow (Dennis Chan), who trained his brother Kurt in Thailand. Though David initially wants nothing to do with him, he finally relents and allows Xian to nurse him back to health. Meanwhile, one of Sloan's most promising students (Vince Murdocco) has secured a championship bout and invites Sloan to watch the fight. However, his slated opponent is unexpectedly replaced by Tong Po, who brutalizes the young man and kills him in the ring. Now with no other recourse, Sloan is forced to accept Po's challenge....Albert Pyun takes over as director. The fight sequences are competent enough, but he should have asked Jean-Claude Van Damme for some guidance.I particularly like the song played in the opening credits: Suns will set and suns will rise, But I still see my brothers eyes, Suns will set and suns will rise, But I.... I'll always see my brothers eyes...Or something like that! But this on on DVD and enjoy!!!

I remember watching the hit "Kickboxer". But a sequel? Of course. But there's one thing mission.... The star of the original, Van Damme! In this sequel, the story starts off with the brother of Kurt Sloan, David(Sasha Mitchell). He runs the karate school that Kurt and his paralyzed brother started. It gets destroyed by a vengeful opponent. Worse, he gets to encounter a threat bigger than the fighter he took out: Tong Po! One night, Tong Po(Michel Qissi) gets into the ring one night, and kill Sloan's friend who went the way of another teacher. In order to avenge his death, he gets help from Xi'an(Dennis Chan), Kurt's sensei from Thailand. Seems like Tong Po cheated himself of a rematch with Kurt. He killed him, his crippled brother, and Xi'an's niece(In the first movie, he raped her). Now it's time for Tong Po to pay! David seems to carry on the honor Kurt has set for him. This sequel was a little too short, and needed more plot to it. Still good though. 2 out of 5 stars!