Out for Blood

For the most part, this is a paint-by-numbers crime/revenge/martial arts product, just about average for the genre and for The Dragon, though a bit short on the fight choreography.

But they tried a bit harder than usual on the script (apart from the pseudo-Zen drivel flowing from one character), adding a suspense factor about who our hero can really trust, and what's the role of the behind-the-scene weasel(s). That element raised my 4 to a 5.

"Out For Blood" is a PM Entertainment movie made when the company really started to get serious. The photography (by PM Entertainment honcho Richard Pepin) is excellent, and the rest of the production values are good as well. However, in most other aspects, the movie is lacking. The screenplay (which somehow took three people to write, from a "concept" by star Wilson) is seriously padded out; while the movie may never really get BORING, it will seriously test your patience at times. The fight sequences, the real selling point of the movie, are disappointing, with unspectacular moves and rapid editing combining to drain any energy the fights might have provided. About the only bright spot is unintentional, with a villain who strongly resembles Z movie star David Heavener. The best way to watch this movie is when you are doing something else at the same time, like your taxes or cleaning your living room. That way, your attention can be fixed on something productive when the movie turns uneventful. One additional word of warning if you decide to rent this movie: The Madacy DVD uses the edited-for-television print, meaning all the foul language and other R-rated goodies are edited out.

Don Wilson stars as John Decker, a lawyer turned vigilante who uses his impressive karate skills to get revenge on thugs and look to solve the mystery of the murder of his family. The plot description tells you all you need to know. Plug in a few fight sequences, a love interest and assembly line villains and you have the movie. I guess on a technical stand point this is one of Don's better features(I can't say best because the only others I saw was Bloodfist 1, Blackbelt and Cyber Tracker) however the story is written entirely to cliché and the film is rather cheaply made (Though better than usual for Wilson) the action sequences are well staged but the ending feels rushed and the movie comes to an unsatisfying conclusion. Still fans of Don Wilson will find something of interest here.

* * out of 4-(Fair)

Don "The Dragon" Wilson shows considerable rage as the elusive "Karateman," a martial artist who eradicates the adulteration of society. Lawyer by day...vigilante by night, Karateman, known to most people as John Decker lived the American dream as a once proud family man. Until one night...Decker's life was shattered as his wife and son were sadistically murdered in front of his white eyes by a gang of iniquitous drug dealers...

Only one problem...for Decker suffers from a partial case of amnesia. Lapses of the murders appear in flashback only so sporadically in Decker's mind. Decker must find a way to chastise these drug dealers who are gradually taking over the city with their endless supply of merchandise. If Decker can't punish the dealers through legal means in the courtroom...then he will teach them a life long lesson in the streets by beating the sense out of these crooks...

John Decker/Karateman is spending time cleaning up the filthy streets just for the good of the community. This unexpected sweeping of the city streets by a one man force does not create adequate business for the criminal masterminds behind the distribution of drugs and cocaine throughout the city. They are not contended as this single arm of the law is nailing individual drug dealers one by one. Working in collusion with corrupt cops, the dealers gang together and concoct a formula for revenge which will maul Karateman's reputation...

Decker shows no fear against a myriad of martial arts experts! However, can he overcome his battles against his personal demons of guilt and remorse? With aid from a wise elder (Aki Aleong) whose philosophies are quite shrewd, Decker is given tutelage as to choosing the right path towards inner clarity and peace. Decker also finds refuge with a love interest, Joanna (Shari Shattuck).

Out for Blood is a rather fine action flick. The martial arts choreography is a feast for the eyes as Wilson displays an array of awesome high kicks, blocks, and fast reflexes to trick the human mind. The rapid fire photography, cinematography, and editing are top notch and the battle sequences between Wilson and the villains are well captured on camera. The plot about murder and retribution has been played a million times before on screen, but Out for Blood adds plenty of credence to its main character as he shows mental vulnerability, demonstrated to the audience that nobody can always be "invincible" in both physical strength and mind. The acting tends to be annoyingly over-dramatic and the same elements of a typical, formulaic revenge film are reiterated throughout Out for Blood again. Everything in Out for Blood is a compendium of clichés from previous entries belonging in the category of "the weak oppressed turns into potent avenger" type theme.

Even if Out for Blood has a dearth of novelty AND ingeunity in the film, the breathless action more than compensates for this shortcoming. Out for Blood is a slick, supercharged adventure with enough surprises and hits to make this movie a must see for martial arts aficionados.

Director Richard W. Munchkin has executed a slam-bang, intensive thriller. With handsome production values and a charismatic leading star, Out for Blood is set as a fun filled motion picture.

Infinitely better than your average, mayhem-packed adventure, Out for Blood delivers a corpulence of power and tricks in the book to buoy this film above mediocrity. This film may be unremarkable, but it is a worthwhile experience. Entertaining, to say the least.

RATING: **1/2 out of ****.

I watched this movie quite a few years ago and again watched it last night as it was on TV. It is one of Don's best. The above comment explains the plot pretty well haha. If you are the type of person that likes a straight up action movie where you can turn your brain off and just enjoy some good old fashion butt kicking then this movie is for you.

Lately I have been watching a lot of Seagal movies, and except for Pistol Whipped, Urban Justice, and Mercenary For Justice (those were all good) the rest have been horrible. This movie Out For Blood has been a breath of Fresh Air. The thing i like about Don is he does all his own stunts or most anyway, and the action sequences are shot nice so you can actually see him and the bad guy go at it, unlike most of Seagals movies where you see a face and some hands being thrown haha.

Anyway for a simple action martial art movie this is a really good one to see. Go check it out, although it might be hard to find as its not that popular.