Final Impact

Better than expected. I actually thoroughly enjoyed this low-budget, straight-to-video film. A few surprises, as well. Lorenzo Lamas made a credible hero.

This time Lorenzo Lamas plays a retired kickboxing champion who trains a new martial artist (Michael Worth) the ropes, while planning on getting revenge on the ruthless fighter who humiliated him. The final fight is there but...hey where are you going? Final Impact sounds more like a porno flick, or indeed my last case of constipation then it does an action film. I mean what final impact is there to be had? Is it possible the the generic title has something to do with the impact of Lorenzo's feet colliding with people's heads? Whatever the case maybe, you'll have more fun debating this rather than watching the final product. Which amounts to nothing but a sub par kickboxing action flick that is short on action and low on inspiration.

*1/2 out of 4-(Poor)

Final Impact is one of my favorite kick-boxing movies. We're talking about B-movies, I know it, but the 9 I gave wasn't out of place at all. I couldn't say how many times I re-seen this flick principally for the action scenes, stunning and entertaining, truly at Van Damme's level. Mike Worth is a tough guy and a good actor too. Don't you think he's quite underrated ?

The story was a pure cliché of the genre, the formula is the same of Karate Kid or the latest "kickboxer" episodes, but here was before it became rotten (mid 90s) and out-of-date. I hope many of you agree with me about the fantastic scene of the cumulative fights of the championship. Well shot, breathtaking edited, blow by blow in a whirling minute of action. It's a classic for these kind of movies, but even Bloodsport's or Kickboxer's aren't at this level. Probably just Mehri's next year "To be the best" (a must see movie) or Bloodsport 2 (another pearl). Gary Daniels was a great fighter and his two bouts against Worth are thrilling and cheesy. Too bad Ian Jacklin didn't have a role; we barely see him in the starting scene. He made a great job in other movies either as the bad or the good guy.

The DVD doesn't offer a thing. No extra scenes, rare material or interviews. I hope in the future (when perhaps, I hope, this genre will return mainstream) will be release a decent product, worthy to be called "DVD".

This film will please solely the genre lovers, but being so underrated seems just an average, meaningless clone.

My review was written in January 1992 after watching the movie on a PM video cassette.

Actor Lorenzo Lamas continues to make inroads in the popular kick fighting genre with "Final Impact", a "Rocky V"-styled aging warrior picture.

After impressing in "Night of the Warrior", Lamas is cast as a cynical ex-champ who now manages fighters. Pushy young Michael Worth wants Lamas to pilot his career and Lamas agrees to do so, plotting to use Worth for his revenge against the current champ, Jeff Langton.

At times, the pic has a more serious, even somber, tone than usual for the format, though directors Joseph Merhi and Stephen Smoke include exploitation angles such as sexy female oil wrestlers in the opening segment.

Though he's not a bona fide champ in real life, Lamas brings an animation to his role that's often lacking in belt holders. Worth is a promising newcomer, and Lamas' wife Kathleen Kinmont provides convincing support. There's also a nice bit by Kathrin Lautner as a Las Vegas hooker who reduces Lamas' self-esteem to zero.

The fights, choreographed by Eric Lee, are frequent and unexceptional.

This film is about an up and coming kickboxer, Danny (Michael Worth), who is trained by an ex-champ, Nick (Lorenzo Lamas), who also, it turns out, is a total idiot! And, an idiot with little in the range of acting.

Danny thinks he's ready for the big kickboxing tourney in Las Vegas. While he's good, he's also cocky and has a lot to learn. Nick takes him under his wing and very briefly trains him. Soon, Danny is kicking butt and doing great in the tournament....and Nick, inexplicably, starts acting like a total idiot. Can Danny win the big tournament even though his mentor has less common sense than a tomato?

This film is really good....and really bad. The martial arts are done well and Michael Worth is really good...though way too small to be a light heavyweight and fight with some of these opponents. But it looks good and he's impressive when in action. Lamas, in his limited fight scenes is pretty good. It's when it comes to story and acting it all falls apart. Too many cliches, too many times Lamas' character is an idiot and too little in the way of realism. Still, you don't watch a kickboxing movie because you expect an Oscar-contender! Brainless and enjoyable at the same time. My score of 3 might be a big generous.

Best scene in movie was the final big fight for the championship was very well done. The worst scenes were many.