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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
little known gem with fists and feet of fury, July 16, 2009
This review is from: To the Death [VHS] (VHS Tape)
John Barret was a close friend of Chuck Norris' and Michael Qissi, a close pal of Jean-Claude Van Damme, so it would easy to guess this movie exists only to give the pals a kickfest of there own, but you would be wrong. Barret almost was a star, at least in the Don "the Dragon" Wilson direct-to-video golden age, but after only two starring roles, he walked away. Barret is a totally capable martial arts film star, his acting is ok, he can get through his lines without looking like a complete dumbsh**, which is more than could be said for Shaq, and his fighting skills are superior. He stars as a retired pro-fighter, who's forced into underground competions, to the death naturally, to seek out his wife's murderer. Michael Qissi, who also cherographed the excellent fights, co-stars as Barret's long time nemesis, first he beat him in the ring, when Qissi wanted a rematch, Barret announced his retirement. So Barret assumes he's responsible for his wife's death, but soon they both realize they are just pawns in something bigger and more dangerous. Qissi, best known for playing the villian Tong Po in the KICKBOXER series, is the film's genuine assest, he was so underrated and so little used in films, but here he gets to shine, first as the expected villian, then as a sidekick/hero. His martial arts skill are amazing, his bald head and charasimatic don't mess with me attitude is very similuar to the later star Vin Diesel. I really liked this movie, even the chessy title song, which is so bad it should've been done by Vanilla Ice. The action is relentless and the stars a nice alternative to the established superstars of the day. The tape goes for pretty cheap on Amazon, so until we are fortunate enough to get a DVD release, I would recommend buying it.
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
the real american kickboxer 2, April 23, 2007
Although there is a movie out titled "American Kickboxer 2", "To The Death" is the actual sequal that picks up after the first American Kickboxer with some of the same main characters - Rick Quinn, Denard, and the annoying reporter. Denard is played by a different actor though - Michel Qissi (Kickboxer, Lionheart) Like the first American Kickboxer, To The Death has a great storyline, but there is even a lesser amount of fights, and unfortunately, they look awful. I was surprised with the story in this film. Very entertaining and keeps you engaged, with lots of tensions, emotions, and surprises that the first American Kickboxer story contained. The retired champion, Quinn, is lured into the underground world of fights to the death. Yes its a story thats been done a thousand times over, but this one is told WELL. The guys in charge of these fights are 2 brothers, who are a couple of nerds trying to come off as sick twisted men. Guns are the only thing that make them tough and keep them in charge, and force the fights to the death. While the story is pretty good, I wish I could say the same for the action. There are not too many fight scenes in the movie, only 3 to be exact. All 3 take place in the ring, and are actually set in some nice locations with fancy lights, spectators and the works. The final fight is Quinn vs Denard, a 2 minute fight that is not nearly as exciting as their fight in American Kickboxer 1. All the fights look really bad though. Clearly no contact is made with punches and kicks and the sound effects have a hard time deciding when to come in. The camera angles make it difficult to tell when one is supposed to get hit or miss. Its a workout just to figure these fights out for the viewer. Great story is the key to this film. Because it is in the martial arts genre, I would really have hoped for "martial arts" and not a poor attempt at choreography. But if you can get by that, you should enjoy this movie. Good sequal to the first American Kickboxer.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
mark twain sam australia WA Perth, November 8, 2005
This review is from: To the Death [VHS] (VHS Tape)
This is the sequel to American Kickboxer starring John Barret. Why they didnt title this American Kickboxer 2 is beyond me, coz there is an American Kickboxer 2 but Dale'apollo'Cook is the star and it has nothing to do with American Kickboxer 1. This movie continues from American Kickboxer 1 very well. The same characters is the annoying dweeb reporter, bob the promoter and cant forget his arch enemy Denard but is a different actor (Michel Qissi) who played Tong Po in the smash hit Kickboxer with Jean Claude Van Damme. For a low budget this film is a little bloody. The plot is the return of Rick Quinn who has decide to retire from martial arts competition, only to be brought back in by Domonique Le Braque a nutcase that runs private kickboxing matches and loves to watch the deaths of the fighters and seems to get off on it. He has chosen Rick Quinn who declined the offer but is not good enough for Domonique and will go at any length to get Rick Quinn back in the ring even if it means killing Rick's wife in the process. Non stop martial arts action with similar fight scenes to the first movie. If you liked American Kickboxer you will like this one.
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