Watch American Kickboxer 2
- R
- 1993
- 1 hr 33 min
-
4.0 (332)
American Kickboxer 2 is a 1993 action-packed martial arts film directed by Jenö Hodi. It stars Dale Cook as the lead character, B.J. Quinn, along with Evan Lurie as Trevor Gottitall, and Kathy Shower as M.S. Walsh. The story of American Kickboxer 2 revolves around B.J. Quinn, a former kickboxing champion who has retired from the sport due to personal losses. After a few years out of the ring, he decides to come out of retirement and fight again. His plan is to use the money from the fight to pay for his brother's medical expenses for an experimental cancer treatment.
B.J. gets back into training, and his training partner is a young fighter named Trevor Gottitall. Gottitall has all the raw talents in the world but lacks discipline and focus, which is something B.J. tries to instill in him. The two form an unlikely bond as B.J. trains Gottitall to become a serious fighter.
Meanwhile, M.S. Walsh, the organizer of the kickboxing tournament, has other concerns. She has been receiving threats from a mysterious figure who is determined to derail the tournament. As the tournament draws closer, the threats grow more intense, and the fighters must focus on the task at hand while navigating the uncertain waters of potential danger.
The movie is primarily set in the underground world of kickboxing, where B.J. and Gottitall both face tough opponents as they work their way through the tournament bracket. Action sequences abound as the fighters clash in exhilarating bouts that showcase their kickboxing skills.
While the plot may be somewhat formulaic, the performances of the lead actors elevate the film. Dale Cook delivers a solid performance as B.J. Quinn, showcasing his martial arts skills and his ability to capture the character's emotional journey. Evan Lurie, as the inexperienced yet talented Trevor Gottitall, also shines with his youthful energy and raw talent. Kathy Shower offers a strong supporting performance as the tough-as-nails organizer of the tournament, M.S. Walsh.
The movie also features excellent choreography for its fight scenes, which are filmed with precision and skill. The filmmakers make good use of slow-motion during the fights to capture the nuances of the fighter's moves and to heighten the tension during these sequences.
One thing that may detract from the overall experience of watching the film is the slightly dated special effects. Certain scenes use noticeable green screens, which can be a little distracting. Furthermore, some of the visual effects look a little bit silly by modern standards, but they are charmingly nostalgic for fans of films from this era.
Overall, American Kickboxer 2 is an entertaining movie that delivers on its promise of martial arts action. Though the storyline may not be groundbreaking, the strong performances from the cast and the well-executed fight scenes make it a film that is enjoyable to watch. Fans of action movies, martial arts enthusiasts, and fans of 1990s cinema in general will appreciate this film.
American Kickboxer 2 is a 1993 action movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.0.