Kickboxer 2

Last updated
Kickboxer 2
Kickboxer 2 FilmPoster.jpeg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by Albert Pyun
Written by David S. Goyer
Based onCharacters
by Mark DiSalle and Jean-Claude Van Damme
Produced byTom Karnowski
Starring
CinematographyGeorge Mooradian
Edited by Alan Baumgarten
Music byAnthony Riparetti
James Saad
Production
company
Distributed by Trimark Pictures (U.S.)
Vision International (Non-U.S.)
Release date
  • June 13, 1991 (1991-06-13)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Box office$1.2 million (United States) [1]

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. The film is the second entry into the Kickboxer film series, and stars Sasha Mitchell in the role of David Sloan (unlike Sloane in the first film), the brother of Kickboxer's lead character Kurt, portrayed by Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Contents

Plot

One year after the events of the first film, it is revealed that kickboxing brothers Kurt and Eric Sloane died shortly after Kurt's victory over Tong Po. David Sloan, the last surviving brother, struggles to keep the family's Los Angeles kickboxing gym afloat with his business partner, Jack. He offers free kickboxing lessons to local kids, often demonstrating a technique he calls the "rock and the river" which allows him to defend against attacks while blindfolded.

Although his will to compete has waned since the loss of his brothers, financial problems eventually force David to fight again in a new organization run by a crooked promoter, Justin Maciah. His surprising comeback ultimately attracts the attention of Po, who is revealed to have killed Kurt and Eric in revenge for his defeat. With Kurt dead, Po seeks to defeat David in the ring and regain his honor. But when David announces his retirement after a victory against Neil Vargas, Po's manager Sanga (who is later revealed as helping to fund Maciah's kickboxing organization) hires a group of thugs to burn down the gym; Vargas goes with them to enact petty revenge for his defeat. Although David attempts to fight them off, he is beaten down and suffers a gunshot wound to the leg. The injury prevents him from aiding a young student trapped in the blaze, who dies as a result.

While recovering in the hospital, David is visited by Xian Chow, the Muay Thai Kru 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 David's most promising students, Brian Wagner, has secured a championship bout and invites David to watch the fight. However, the champion is unexpectedly replaced by Po, as a part of a deal made between Maciah and Sanga. Tong Po pummels Wagner with illegal blows and kills him in the ring despite David's efforts to intervene. The bout leaves Justin in financial and professional ruin, while Sanga declares their partnership is over. Afterwards, Xian reveals to David that Tong Po had also killed his niece Mylee along with David's brothers. He guiltily admits that part of him wants revenge for her death, and is willing to sacrifice David to get it.

Insisting that the fight is his own, David accepts Po's challenge. In a bloody bout reminiscent of the "ancient way" of fighting in Thailand, (using tape covered in resin and broken glass) David is beaten badly and has clouded vision. Utilizing his "rock and the river" technique, however, David gains the upper hand and ultimately defeats his rival. Having lost his honor, Sanga confronts David in the ring at gunpoint, but thanks to a distraction by his friend Jack, David is able to disarm and incapacitate him.

The next day, David unsuccessfully teaches Xian to drive a car. When his students introduce him to the new neighborhood bully, David once again demonstrates the "rock and the river", but the lesson is cut short when the ice cream truck arrives, and Xian treats the kids.

Cast

Release

Theatrical

Kickboxer 2 was given a limited release theatrically in the United States by Trimark Pictures in June 1991, grossing $1,250,712 at the box office. [2]

Home media

HBO Home Video released it on VHS and laserdisc the same year. In the Philippines, the film was released by Pioneer Films on July 4, 1991. [3]

The film was released on DVD by Lionsgate in 2003. [4]

Reception

Critical response

In comparison to the 1989 Van Damme original, the film was not initially well received. [5] TV Guide opined: "From its opening moments it's obvious that Kickboxer 2 is struggling under the leaden weight of humorlessness. This is the movie that absolutely no one wanted to see: a kickboxing movie that takes itself dead serious". [6]

Related Research Articles

Rick John Roufus is a retired American kickboxer. He has also competed professionally in boxing and mixed martial arts. An accomplished professional fighter throughout his competitive career, Roufus has won multiple world championships across the globe in several weight classes, he was world champion as a super middle weight, light heavyweight and heavyweight. Roufus held titles for all the major kickboxing associations worldwide, and is known for his boxing skills and powerful kicks. He is the older brother of Duke Roufus who is also a kickboxer and a Muay Thai and mixed martial arts instructor. Rick Roufus is the Global Director of Fighter Development for PKA Worldwide. In 2012 Rick Roufus was inducted into the World Kickboxing League Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Urquidez</span> American former professional kickboxer and martial artist

Benny Urquidez is an American former professional kickboxer, martial arts choreographer and actor. Nicknamed "The Jet", Urquidez was a non-contact karate competitor who later pioneered full-contact fighting in the United States. He made the transition from point to full-contact karate in 1974, the year of its inception in the US, frequently fighting in bouts where the rules were ambiguous and contrasts in styles were dramatic. Urquidez is also known for once holding the rare achievement of six world titles in five different weight divisions, and remained largely undefeated in his 27-year career. His only loss came in a Muay Thai match which was shrouded in controversy, as Urquidez had only agreed to a no-decision exhibition, a clause which was ignored when the fight had ended.

Jeffrey Ryan "Duke" Roufus is an American former kickboxer and head coach of the Roufusport based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. He is a well-known striking coach in North America.

<i>The King of the Kickboxers</i> 1990 martial arts film

The King of the Kickboxers is a 1990 martial arts film directed by Lucas Lowe and starring Loren Avedon as Jake Donahue and Billy Blanks as Khan.

<i>Kickboxer</i> (1989 film) 1989 American martial arts sports drama film

Kickboxer is a 1989 American martial arts film directed by David Worth and starring Jean-Claude Van Damme. Former world kickboxing champion Dennis Alexio is also featured. The plot revolves around Kurt Sloane seeking revenge on the fearsome kickboxing champion Tong Po who paralyzed his brother Eric Sloane. The film is regarded as the first movie to bring Muay Thai to a global audience.

Dennis Alexio is an American former professional kickboxer and actor who competed in the light heavyweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions. Starting out as a light heavyweight, Alexio kicked off his career with an extensive, knockout-laden undefeated streak before losing a decision to Don "The Dragon" Wilson in a World Kickboxing Association (WKA) World Super Light Heavyweight Full Contact Championship match in 1984. He rebounded from this by winning the Professional Karate Association (PKA) World Light Heavyweight title that same year before moving up to cruiserweight and taking the International Sport Karate Association (ISKA) World Cruiserweight Full Contact strap. In the late 1980s, he began his transition to the heavyweight division where he won six world titles and was considered the undisputed World Heavyweight Champion. He faced the two toughest tests of his career in 1992 against Branko Cikatić and Stan Longinidis - both of whom were heavier fighters - fighting to a controversial draw with Cikatić and losing to Longinidis via an early low kick KO which resulted in a broken leg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don Wilson (kickboxer)</span> American kickboxer

Donald Glen Wilson, nicknamed "The Dragon", is an American martial artist, former professional kickboxer, and actor. An 11-time world champion who scored 47 knockouts in four decades, he has been called by the STAR System Ratings as "perhaps the greatest kickboxer in American history. He has disposed of more quality competition than anyone we've ever ranked". In 2015, he was inducted into the International Sports Hall of Fame.

<i>Kickboxer 4</i> 1994 American martial arts film

Kickboxer 4 is a 1994 American direct-to-video martial arts film directed by Albert Pyun. The film is the fourth entry in the Kickboxer film series. This was the last film to star Sasha Mitchell, who reprises his role as David Sloan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Kaman</span> Dutch martial artist (1960–2024)

Robert Diem Kaman was a Dutch nine-time kickboxing and Muay Thai world champion. He was often called "Mr. Low Kick" because of his feared low kicks which he used to set up his devastating offensive attacks.

John Wayne "The Gunslinger" Parr, also known as JWP, is a retired Australian Muay Thai fighter, kickboxer and boxer, fighting out of Boonchu Gym in Gold Coast, Queensland. He is a former 10-times World Champion and was the runner up on The Contender Asia.

<i>Kickboxer 3</i> 1992 American film

Kickboxer 3 is a 1992 American martial arts film directed by Rick King. The film is the third in the Kickboxer film series with only Sasha Mitchell and Dennis Chan returning from the previous films. It was also the last film to feature Dennis Chan as Xian Chow.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yodtong Senanan</span> Muay Thai trainer

Yodtong Siriwalak most commonly known by his Muay Thai ring name Yodtong Senanan or Kru Tui was a Muay Thai fighter, trainer, and owner of the Sityodtong Muay Thai Camp in Chonburi, Thailand. He produced 57 Muay Thai champions, the most in the sport's history in Thailand. His most famous champions include Samart Payakaroon, Kongtoranee Payakaroon, Nuengpichit Sityodtong, Detpitak Sityodtong, Chartchai Sityodtong, Yoddecha Sityodtong and Daotong Sityodtong. Yodtong also trained WBA Boxing world champion Yodsanan Sityodtong after he encouraged him to transition from Muay Thai to boxing at age 17. Additionally, top Muay Thai, K-1 and UFC professional fighters from around the world such as Rob Kaman, Ramon Dekkers, Ernesto Hoost, Peter Aerts, Musashi, Kenny Florian and Antonio Braga Neto have made the pilgrimage to Sityodtong Gym in Pattaya to train and sharpen their skills. His top trainers include Saknarong Sityodtong, Daorung Sityodtong, Chatri Sityodtong, Yodsanan Sityodtong and Kongtoranee Sityodtong.

Michel Qissi is a Moroccan Belgian actor, filmmaker, and martial artist best known for his action films. Qissi is the co-founder of The World Cinema Combat Federation (WCCF), an organization he formed with Grand Master Beom Jhoo Lee which teaches fight choreography in filmmaking.

Dennis Alexio vs. Stan Longinidis was a heavyweight kickboxing bout that took place at the Melbourne Sports and Entertainment Centre in Melbourne, Australia on 6 December 1992. As one of the most highly anticipated fights in the sport's history, it ended in an anticlimax when Longinidis broke Alexio's leg with a low kick within ten seconds of the first round.

Dennis Alexio vs. Branko Cikatić was a heavyweight kickboxing bout that took place at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, US, on March 16, 1992, which ended in a controversial technical draw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gabriel Varga</span> Canadian kickboxer (born 1985)

Gabriel Varga is a Canadian kickboxer who competes in the Lightweight division of Karate Combat. He is a former Bellator KB Featherweight champion, former two time Glory Featherweight champion, and former WKN lightweight champion.

<i>Kickboxer: Vengeance</i> 2016 American martial arts film

Kickboxer: Vengeance is a 2016 American martial arts film directed by John Stockwell, and starring Dave Bautista, Alain Moussi, Gina Carano, Georges St-Pierre, and Jean-Claude Van Damme. It is the sixth film in the Kickboxer franchise and also serves as a reboot. The film has a similar premise as the first film in the franchise. The film was released in select theaters and on VOD by RLJ Entertainment on September 2, 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alain Moussi</span> Canadian actor, stuntman, and martial artist

Alain Moussi is a Canadian actor, stuntman, and martial artist trained in jujitsu, kickboxing, and karate. He plays the lead role of Kurt Sloane in the reboot of the Kickboxer series, Kickboxer: Vengeance (2016) and Kickboxer: Retaliation (2018), a role that was originated by Jean-Claude Van Damme, who portrays his mentor in the films. Moussi also played the lead role in the action film Jiu Jitsu (2020), the role of Charlie Nash in the web series Street Fighter: Resurrection (2016), and Batman in the first season of the television series Titans (2018).

<i>Kickboxer</i> (film series) American action film franchise

Kickboxer is an American action film franchise that totals seven films. The first installment revolves around a character named Kurt Sloane, played by Jean-Claude Van Damme. Due to opting out of Kickboxer 2 to do the film Double Impact, the second through fourth installments focus on the character David Sloane, younger brother to Van Damme's character from the original. Redemption: Kickboxer 5 focuses on Matt Reeves, a friend of the Sloan family. After a long hiatus, a sixth entry was eventually made as Kickboxer: Vengeance, which also serves as a reboot to the storyline, with Alain Moussi portraying Kurt Sloane and original actor Van Damme playing his trainer. The seventh entry, titled Kickboxer: Retaliation, serves as a direct sequel to Kickboxer: Vengeance.

<i>Kickboxer: Retaliation</i> 2018 American martial arts film

Kickboxer: Retaliation is an American martial arts film directed and written by Dimitri Logothetis. It is the seventh in the Kickboxer film series and a direct sequel to the 2016 film Kickboxer: Vengeance, also written by Logothetis. The film stars Alain Moussi, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Christopher Lambert, Ronaldinho, Mike Tyson, Rico Verhoeven and Hafþór Júlíus Björnsson. Aside from Moussi and Van Damme, Sara Malakul Lane and Sam Medina reprised their roles from the previous film.

References

  1. Kickboxer 2 at Box Office Mojo
  2. "Kickboxer 2". boxofficemojo.com. April 7, 2011.
  3. "Opens July 4!". Manila Standard . Kamahalan Publishing Corp. July 2, 1991. p. 16. Retrieved May 4, 2020. In 'Kickboxer 2', Tong Po defeated Van Damme[.] now... Van Damme's brother takes revenge... with the help of Thai master Xian!
  4. "Kickboxer 2". dvdempire.com. April 7, 2011.
  5. "MOVIE REVIEW Revenge Inspires More Feats of Violence in 'Kickboxer 2'". The Los Angeles Times . Retrieved November 25, 2010.
  6. Archived 2009-02-20 at the Wayback Machine TV Guide, "Kickboxer 2: The Road Back: Review", accessed January 25, 2009