Rage and Honor

RAGE AND HONOR belongs to an era of generally good low-budget fare starring Cynthia Rothrock, but it's far from being among her best work. Completists will be able to watch it secure in the knowledge that the Lady Dragon had yet to begin her cinematic descent, but aside from boasting some good production values and a strong cast, it's not anything special.

The story: When an Australian police officer (Richard Norton) becomes witness to a crime of corruption, he teams up with a martial arts-practicing schoolteacher (Rothrock) to secure a tape of the crime from the underworld entity who orchestrated it (Brian Thompson).

The above-average B-movie cast also includes Terri Treas as Thompson's cohort, Catherine Bach as the American police captain, Toshihiro Obata as the former's enforcer, and Alex Datcher as the eccentric leader of an all-women gang. They're directed by Terence Winkless, who has the honor of having directed more episodes of POWER RANGERS than any other filmmaker and does a pretty good job of maximizing his resources and making everything in this film look good, with the exception of a few unnecessary slow-motion shots. He also wrote the movie, and therefore deserves kudos for the surprising twist between Cynthia and Brian for and incorporating Norton's real-life experience as a "rock & roll bodyguard" into his character. He's also dealt negative points for not following up after establishing Thompson as an artsy John Woo-type villain: save for his silly mullet, he's a pretty boring bad guy.

The film's main falling point is its fights scenes, which it has eight of but only a couple which are actually worth watching. There's nothing very wrong with the choreography (highlights include Cynthia performing a somersault ax kick and turning a scorpion kick into a head-scissors), but the camera-work is restrictive and unflattering towards the action. The kicking cast also includes kickboxing legend Peter Cunningham but he has only one fight (of which he is not the star) before being knocked down a flight of stairs by a wino. The rematch between Cynthia and Richard Norton pales in comparison to their stellar bout in MAGIC CRYSTAL. The single standout fight belongs to Norton and Toshihiro Obata, who have a so-so initial bout but whose rematch steals the show, with the latter performing some nifty aikido moves before throwing Norton out a window.

As a whole, the action content ought to tide over casual viewers but won't impress fans of Rothrock and Norton who know what technical mastery they're capable of. The same can be said for the movie as a whole. It's a good Cynthia Rothrock flick, despite her being regularly overshadowed by Norton's character, but as is the case with most stuff from these guys, the film's strengths are balanced out by its deficiencies to provide an ultimately average outing. It's good, but it could have been so much more.

Average martial arts saga teaming two of the genre's superstars, Cynthia Rothrock and Richard Norton, as unlikely partners taking on a criminal enterprise. She's Kris Fairchild, a teacher at an inner city school who moonlights as a martial arts instructor; he's Preston Michaels, an Australian detective with a second job as a bodyguard for rock bands. They're united after he's implicated in the shooting of a crooked detective, which was caught on video by Paris Armstrong (Patrick Malone), one of Kris's students. The masterminds are the reclusive Conrad Drago ("Cobra" villain Brian Thompson, sporting a hilarious head of hair) and his evil associate Rita Carrion (luscious flame haired vixen Terri Treas). The story is, not surprisingly, nothing special, although there's one major plot twist regarding Kris's connection to Drago, which she reveals in her big emoting scene. Suffice it to say, she makes a much better ass kicker than an actress, but she and the quietly engaging Norton do share some chemistry. The real entertainment lies with the oddball supporting characters "Hannah the Hun" (sexy Alex Datcher), a lowlife criminal who loves to refer to herself in the third person, and the endearing "Baby" (!) (Stephen Davies), a broker turned bum. Malone is likewise amiable as the ambitious Paris, itching to make a star out of his teacher and go along for the ride. In fact, there's a bit of a theme here about characters becoming "TV stars", no matter how unwillingly. Writer / director Terence H. Winkless (who'd also worked with Treas and Davies on the killer roach flick "The Nest") keeps things moving along well enough, and all requisite fight scenes are effectively staged. The movie does have a sense of humour, as well, especially in a scene where Kris and Preston are trying to con their way past a bouncer. Now, Thompson and Daisy Duke herself, the always delectable Catherine Bach, are rather under utilized, particularly Bach, but the movie is still reasonably entertaining with some good moments and touches such as the bevy of bruiser babes known as the "Huns". Some effective bursts of harsh violence help to make this a decent diversion, although the ending is really not too satisfying; in fact, it's rather silly. But overall "Rage and Honor" is watchable B grade action fare. Six out of 10.

Cynthia and Richard work well together another good martial arts action film. But the story line is old. But you got to love Kathryn Bach. The background of Los Angeles and Hollywood is a character in itself. Brian Thompson is a great villain. The director Terence winkless it shows that he is not good with martial actors. Even though he directed power rangers.

Then there is Alex Datcher I think her role could have been expanded. This Movie led to a part 2. But part 2 fails in comparison to the original. So great action great fight choreography. The acting is so 90s. But when it comes down to Cynthia and Richard are two of the best.

Back to my Cynthia Rothrock phase with another addition to Tubi! I started my triple feature with this film which I actually really enjoyed because of its great supporting cast. Even though it feels like a made for tv film, it's still quite entertaining and engaging and Brian Thompson as the main villain was just a lot of fun. I wasn't expecting this. Keen eyes will notice other famous tv stars of the era. If your a Rothrock fan, this is one of the better films and a must watch, but for general audiences it will be hard to distinguish this from the other '90s action films that flooded the market.

I really liked this movie. I saw it on Sky Movies in 94. Cynthia is my hero! Always beating up the bad guys!

But Cynthia is joined by a great partner named Richard Norton who is a bit of a dish in my opinion.

So basically it's Kris (Cynthia) and Preston (Richard) against the drug King and Queen of LA. The psychotic Conrad Drago and the beautiful Rita Carrion. Who have a load of bumbling lackeys at their disposal including dirty cops, Fast Eddie the nightclub owner and car thief extraodinaire and of course Hannah the Hun, who has a gang of women fighters who do contract beatings. Oh and lets not forget Rita's bodyguard who is may be on the baddie's side but is a very honourable man.

So how can the heroric duo of Kris and Preston defeat all these foes? Well they have Baby! Yes baby the homeless former stockbroker.

I found Brian Thompson's portrayal of Conrad Drago very evil and the brother sister thing was a good storyline element.

OK so I like this movie, I'll shut up now :)