4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
not as good as the first Kickboxers, but good price for 2 films on one dvd, August 18, 2006
KICKBOXER 3
3 STARS - DISAPPOINTINGLY NO TONG PO
Kickboxer 3 goes away from the first two movies with the absenece of the impressive villain, Tong Po. David Sloan and Xian return though, and fly to Brazil where David is to fight the Argentina fighter, Eric Martine, for the lightweight world kickboxing championship. While in Brazil, David and Xian meet and become friends to a homeless boy and his older sister. David also meets Eric Martine's promoter, Frank Lane, who is inviting to David and Xian but secretly steals the boy's older sister to sell into prostitution. Lane captures David and puts him through excrutiating training, hoping David will be too weak for the fight against Martine.
The story in Kickboxer 3 is pretty decent, but its harder to appreciate it with the absence of Tong Po. There aren't many fights in the movie, and only two that are decent. The first is an exhibition match between Martine and another fighter. The best fight in the movie is between David and Martine. Its about a 5 minute fight that begins in the ring but ends on the arena floor with the surrounding crowd cheering on. I really like this fight and I wished it were longer (especially when they fight outside the ring on the floor). Also worth mentioning, there is a small scene of Caporeia fighters in the beginning of the movie that is beautiful to watch.
Kickboxer 3 overall turns out to be nothing more than an average martial arts flick. After Kickboxer 5, it is the worst in the franchise. Its not a bad movie, but Kickboxer 1, 2, and 4 have a lot more to offer, especially action and fighting.
KICKBOXER 4
4 STARS - TONG PO RETURNS
Many people would love to give this movie far less than four stars, but Kickboxer 4 really is better than a lot of American martial art movies. No, its not a classic like the first 2 kickboxers or bloodsport, and its not as intense on fighting as Shootfighter or Best of the Best 2. But overall, Kickboxer 4 delivers (as a good B-rated movie in the genre of American martial arts). The action is a plenty, there is a tournament, good-looking locales, and acting that isn't terrible along with a story that has a decent plot.
Sasha Mitchell is the only returning star from any of the 1st 3 Kickboxers. Still playing the lead role of David Sloan, this time out the character is a lot darker and far-less laid back than in the previous 2 films (probably because his wife has been kidnapped and he has been framed for murder in the beginning of the movie). Although many would disgree with the turnaround of his character, it sets Kickboxer 4 up for a lot more fights. Tong Po returns, but instead of being played by Michel Qissi, Kamel Krifia takes over. Unfortunately, his fake make-up and higher voice doesn't set quite a villainous tone for Po, as compared to the 1st 2 Kickboxers. But, there is still something about him that still makes the villain role convincing enough.
Kickboxer 4 has a lot of fighitng, both in and out of the tournament. There is a bar fight near the beginning of the movie where Sloan kicks everyone butt and doesn't get hit once. The tournament has plenty of fights, though most are short and unimpressive. There is one fighter that does some Caporeia, which I think is always great to watch. Tong Po fights very little, only near the end of the movie against David Sloan. The fight is good, with Po and Sloan fighitng it out outside on table tops covered with dishes and glasses for about 2 minutes, but it could have been so much cooler if Tong Po connected with maybe one hit. Unfortunately, its Sloan all the way from the beginning of the fight.
Kickboxer 4 has its flaws, but if the flaws were corrected it may very well have been a 5 star rating by me. The movie is still entertaining from start to finish. The movie ends with a hopefull return of Tong Po, but Kickboxer 5 blew the pants off of that one.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
It's worth getting, August 18, 2000
This review is from: Kickboxer 4 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
Ok, I have never actually seen Kickboxers 1 & 2, but after seeing clips from them at the beginning of this movie, I can tell you they are better. Kickboxer 4 is good though in some areas, yet bad in others. The action and fighting - very good. You won't get bored if you like fighting scenes. What I don't like is the final fight, Tang Po looks as if he never had a karate lesson in his life! As for the storyline, not so great. But overall I like it anyway just to see the nice action.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Formulaic but stylish fight-fare., March 13, 2002
This review is from: Kickboxer 4 [VHS] (VHS Tape)
If you have seen all the other Kickboxer films, you may be a bit dismayed at the tone of this one. It is as different from the first 3 as night is from day. This installment is very dark in tone, having jettisoned the Teacher figure from previous films, and the humor that interaction with him provided. Our hero is now a loner out for revenge upon his nemesis Tong Po. In the first few expository minutes, a voice-over explains that David(I think that's his name) has married, and his wife was kidnapped and is being held by Tong Po. The rest of the story involves a to-the-death competion hosted by T. P. which our hero infiltrates in order to find and free his wife.
This movie would have made a much better stand-alone picture. Mitchell's character has changed so much he might as well be a different man, although it would not have solved the problem of the tacked-on backstory. Besides, a different actor is playing Tong Po! Sure he looks similar, but that is really pushing it!
Sasha Mitchell does well in the fight scenes, showing some grace and variety in his movement. The camera manages to shoot him so you can even see some of what he is doing. Several time Women's Champion Michelle Krasnoo also appears as a bratty girl who wants to fight with the big boys. Her martial arts are much better than her acting. You almost want her to get her butt kicked.
There is not much depth in the story but not much is required. The wounded hero has a just cause, the villain does dastardly deeds with a smile and there are many round-knees and devastating kicks. This movie really just wants to look good and it manages pretty well. There is eye candy for men and women and lots of martial arts.
This is not bad for b-movie fight flicks. The director left room for a sequel should the studio want to try for one more but 4 is enough already! Go find something else to do!
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