Bloodfist VII: Manhunt

The Bloodfist series, at least for the first two entries, was a knockoff of Enter the Dragon that cashed in on the martial arts craze then popular in the home video rental market. By entry #7, the only thing they had in common was Don "The Dragon" Wilson, the "Bloodfist" name just giving it some name recognition/cache. As its own thing, Bloodfist VII: Manhunt was a serviceable entry into the "lone hero takes on institutional corruption" subgenre that was also quite popular in a post-Reagan/post-Bush Sr. World still dealing with the fallout from everything from Iran-Contra to Rodney King. In other words, in that specific historical moment, action cinema --particularly of the indie/low-budget variety-- trended populist and left-of-center. A higher-profile mainstream example of this at the time was Steven Seagal, and this particular film played like that on a smaller scale. Not that an action film's politics really made much difference in the 90's. Did Don Wilson kick a lot of butt? Yes. Did the story move along at a nice pace? Yes. Overall, did this film succeed at its own modest ambitions? Yes. And since this was a Roger Corman production from his 80's/90's heyday producing action movies, was there at least one gratuitous nude scene? Yes.

"Bloodfist 7" is a little better than the previous entry in the series. It doesn't look as cheap, for one thing, because it's mostly shot on location instead of shabby sets. Some of the locations are interesting, showing the real run down side of Los Angeles. And actor Steven Williams does well as the chief detective on the case. Still, it's not a movie you should actively seek out. There's a lot less martial arts in the movie than you'd think, with a long middle portion where there are ZERO martial arts on display. And the martial arts fighting is pretty disappointing, with rapid cuts and unspectacular choreography. However, female viewers (and a few male viewers) will no doubt enjoy the multiple times that Don Wilson takes off his shirt. I'll see you again when I review "Bloodfist 8"!

This version of Bloodfist is an improvement from the latter. A better storyline. A lot more action. Don "The Dragon" Wilson returns as a different character. His character always a one man army. This time around he battles the law. He takes out a cop in self defense. Dealing with the new police captain who is no-nonsense. And a witness who ran off with his Cadillac. Leaving a BMW behind is kinda questionable. If it was something fancier, that's way more suspicious. Following the arrest, he would make his escape. When the captain finds out more about the cops killed, he questions the surviving cop. A cop killing is unforgivable in any rate, but if the cop is crooked, then he or she won't be getting any honorable mention. I remember Steven Williams on "21 Jump Street" when he played Captain Adam Fuller. He still has the same stuff in this film. Way more action than part 6. A lot less disappointing as well. A keeper here! 3.5 out of 5 stars!

Don Wilson stars as a man on the run from the usual goons who are CIA or something like that, in other words this is a rip off of Bloodfist V, sans the amnesia subplot. Bloodfist VII is basically as worthless as # 1, # 5 and #6, only this time there is barely any action and because nobody rents movies like this for the story, one is left to question the plot's clichéd and insipid script.Plus the action sequences are lame and badly filmed, it doesn't help that the movie is so dreary and dull that one immediately forgets it after seeing it. Some better production values aside, Bloodfist VII is a loser. As usual Wilson is terrible and the series has turned into uninspired and witless garbage. Case in point here.

* out of 4-(Bad)

Don "the dragon" Wilson plays Jim, i guy that is on the run, he gets mixed up with the wrong girl, and all of the police are after him,

there are some really good Kick boxing scenes in it, and the fight choreographer did a good job with the fighting scenes, this has to be the second best movie i have seen Don in!!