China O'Brien II

International female Karate sensation Cynthia Rothrock has never made a perfect movie in her 20+ years as a high-kicking, "B"-movie martial arts maverick. In all likelihood, especially now in today's time, it doesn't seem like she'll ever make a "perfect movie." Of course, for the longest time she was probably the most well-known female American martial arts champion to make a name for herself in the movies. "China O'Brien II" is a sequel to the 1990 first film, and has Rothrock returning as the title character, the sheriff of a small Midwestern town who has to deal with an escaped convict who has ridden into town and puts a price on her head when she foils his latest drug scheme. Together with a fellow Karate champ (Richard Norton) and an Indian biker ("Reptile" Keith Cooke), they set about making sure the bad guys get the proper punishment. "China O'Brien II" has three things going for it that really make it even worth viewing as a rental: Rothrock, director Robert Clouse, and producer Raymond Chow; the names Robert Clouse and Raymond Chow should be ringing bells because they collaborated in 1973 on the greatest martial arts movie ever made, "Enter the Dragon," which starred the late, great martial artist to top them all off, Bruce Lee. With such a collaboration behind "China O'Brien II," you wouldn't expect cinematic gold like "Enter the Dragon," but you would expect something better than what we get here. Rothrock is not a particularly good actress (and neither are many of the other performers, I'm sorry), but I guess her biggest saving grace are her phenomenal fighting skills, and that is when she (and the film as a whole) is at her best. With such strong talent involved in the production of this film, "China O'Brien II" probably would not have become a classic, but it could have been something much more memorable.

3/10

Same thing I've said for China O'Brien applies to China O'Brien 2. They should have hired the guy who did the choreography for "Inspector Wears Skirts" for this movie, and upped the action to that level.

Made by Golden Harvest, and produced, and directed by American producer and director, China O'Brien was in the perfect spot to take advantage of best from both worlds. Unfortunately, Raymond Chow probably didn't want to put in the budget to make this into a first class movie.

It could have been like "So Close" if China O'Brien character was bit more edgier, but this is a product of the '80s, so edginess was not part of movie making. She kind of looks too wholesome that takes away from her sex appeal, and also lowers the tension of the movie.

The producers failed to produce Cynthia Rothrock properly. She could have done lot better in these movies.

As long as you go into this movie knowing that it's terrible: bad acting, bad "effects," bad story, bad... everything, then you'll love it. Though this one isn't as good/bad as its predecessor, it's definitely good for a handful of laughs. Also, the drunker you get, the better the movie gets... have some wine with the movie's cheese.

China O'Brien (1991) was immediately went into production after the first film. The first on was enjoyable and it was a hoot to see Cynthia Rothrock kick major butt in an English language film. But the sequel was not as good and it's more of the same for Clouse and Company. Robert Clouse at this point in his career was riding high on the success of his greatest film Enter the Dragon. Ever since that film, he's been trying to duplicate the same formula. But like they always say, lightning never strikes twice and Clouse has been trying to recapture the magic.

Rothrock is a phenomenal fighter and performer. This is her show and her fight scenes are a sight to behold. Sadly the rest of the film isn't as fun, the direction plods along and the script is nothing to brag about.

For Rothrock fans only.

Its one of those movies that entices you in with the poster but after watching you realise you were duped! The poster gives the impression that Cynthia has a one on one showdown with a dangerous male martial arts expert opponent. However she is actually up against a late middle aged to elderly escaped convict wearing women's jeans and what appear to be women's boots?

In the follow up to China 1, a dangerous convict has escaped and is heading to confront an ex gang member who has made off with 5 million bucks, in the town Cynthia is now the Sheriff of. This is a slightly more convoluted plot than the average revenge movie, but its the usual "find reasons to kick men" fare. The first movie must have been a success for there to be a follow up, however this really plays out like an episode of Walker Texas Ranger. Why are so many of these movies filmed in the middle of nowhere? Cheap option?

This is really on a par with the first movie, it has most of the same leads, including the Dakota character who simply looks for opportunities to karate people for the slightest reason, but is meant to be a deputy. There are the obvious goofs to be seen during the action, men in wigs standing in for Cynthia when the stunts required too much upper body strength. There is an Oddjob type character who seems to have stolen the claws from the set of Enter The Dragon and some odd choices in death scenes. The strangest one being a woman who is shot that we never see getting shot.

This is average at best Rothrock so if that's your thing this is for you.

I noticed that she is back working, however I am not sure how successful she will be, based on her age and even the male action stars are struggling these days. I do wish her all the best however.