"KICKING THE TREND: KICKBOXER 2 TURNS 35 YEARS OLD" By John Shakespeare
As the 1980s drew to a close, it is clear to see that we were spoiled with a wealth of martial arts films, some of which would later become iconic. Films such as Bloodsport, Best of the Best and Kickboxer further expanded on a winning formula first popularized by Rocky in 1976. This formula consisted of intense training montages, inspiring music (ok, cheesy music too; I’m looking at you, “My Brother’s Eyes” from the opening of Kickboxer 2) and a final fight against a memorable villain. A formula so good, it thankfully carried on into the ’90s, where it was once again used to great effect in the often overlooked sequel Kickboxer 2.
It wasn’t until my wonderful, laid-back Mom allowed 8-year-old me to roam the video store with the freedom to rent anything that my little heart desired, that I first encountered Kickboxer (1989). Emilio Estevez’s character Kirby from the 1985 movie St. Elmo’s Fire once said, “There are several quintessential moments in a man’s life: losing your virginity, getting married, becoming a father, and having the right girl smile at you.” I would like to personally add “watching Kickboxer for the first time” to that list.
There are three film scenes I first witnessed on VHS as a young boy that hit me like a ton of bricks and never left my memory:
1. Tom Cruise sliding across the floor in Risky Business (30 years later, and I’ve still never achieved that level of coolness).
2. Freddy Krueger and the whole “You’ve got the body, I’ve got the brain” scene in A Nightmare on Elm Street Part 2: Freddy’s Revenge.
3. Jean-Claude Van Damme walking down a dingy corridor to the sound of loud thudding, which turns out to be a maniac named Tong Po kicking a concrete pillar with his bare leg.
Needless to say, after witnessing this mean-looking man with a scar on his face and a distinctive long ponytail kicking a concrete pillar as Van Damme looked on in fear (don’t be embarrassed JCVD, I was scared too pal), I was hooked. I rented it so many times that Ashley (the owner of Movie Magic video) usually had the VHS tape ready and waiting for me on a weekend. There are just so many iconic scenes in Kickboxer. Van Damme drunk dancing and Tong Po licking the glass on his hand wraps automatically spring to mind. So how do you top that? The honest answer is that you can’t. But you can come close.
Hitting theatrical screens in a limited run on June 14, 1991, Kickboxer 2 was released to mixed reviews. Van Damme was now becoming a big name and allegedly declined Kickboxer 2 due to wanting to pursue other avenues. Sasha Mitchell, a good-looking and charming young actor, was tasked with being the main lead, David Sloan.
You could say Kickboxer 2 had its back up against the wall from the get-go due to the lack of Van Damme, but with enthusiastic director Mr. Albert Pyun (RIP) claiming he wanted to make this “his Raging Bull,” the film wasn’t content to just be your average run-of-the-mill ’90s martial arts movie sequel. This is backed up further by a script full of heart from writer David S. Goyer (who would go on to write Blade II and The Dark Knight) and Dennis Chan returning as the loveable trainer Xian from the first film. A stellar cast consisting of pro kickboxer Vince Murdocco (as the likable best friend Brian), Peter Boyle (RIP), Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa (RIP), John Diehl and Heather McComb enables the sequel to rise above most martial arts flicks of the time. Keep your eyes peeled for a young Brian Austin Green of “Beverly Hills, 90210” fame.
The main highlight of Kickboxer 2 is, of course, the return of the mighty Tong Po. A man so scary, that if you found him in bed with your wife, you would tuck him in and ask what he would like for breakfast. He is equally as menacing here as he was in the first film. His fight scene with Brian is such an impactful way of reintroducing the character, it gave me nightmares as a young boy (I’m starting to realize I scared myself way more than I needed to as a young boy). Pyun shoots the scene in such a claustrophobic way, that you can feel the dangerous situation Brian has found himself in. You feel trapped in there with him. The clever slow-motion shots also draw out the unrelenting punishment from Tong Po, who snarls after being hit by Brian, only to return a punch or elbow twice as hard. The loud thud of each punch and kick just heightens the unstoppable aura of Tong Po. See the scene where Brian is slinging punches on Tong Po’s face, only for Tong Po to lick his lips and march forward. Intimidating stuff!
A similar trend of US martial arts movies followed (such as the very fun Kickboxer 3: The Art of War and Kickboxer 4: The Aggressor), including many that went direct to video and littered the shelves of Blockbuster. Although I love plenty of them, and hope they too get a chance to shine on Blu-ray™/4K, none of them quite resonate like Kickboxer 2 still does. Sure, it may be tonally different from the original, but the sequel still brilliantly produces the same heart, themes of philosophy and memorable training montages (set to music only the ’80s and ’90s could produce) as its predecessor. You will not find many villains more memorable than Tong Po, who, for my money, has to enter the conversation as a top 3 film villain of all time. The final fight where Tong Po and David battle with their hands wrapped in glass is also a welcome nod to the original.
Kickboxer 2 may not best the original, but it sure does make for an essential double feature with it. It is ripe for reappraisal and discovery by both new and old audiences alike.
In July 2026, almost 35 years after the release of Kickboxer 2, I had the honor of meeting Mr. Michel Qissi (Tong Po) at a convention. I would be lying to you if I said I wasn’t starstruck. We chatted for a good 20 minutes. I explained that when I was a kid, my Mom used to take me to the video store every weekend. It was our thing that we always did together. I told Mr. Qissi how I would usually always end up renting Kickboxer 1 and 2, and after convincing Mom to buy me my favorite chocolate bar (Cadbury Spira), I would excitedly return home to watch the VHS tapes while Mom cooked me some Birds Eye potato fritters with ketchup.
While at the convention, I saw a little kid no older than 8 years old, dressed up as Tong Po (he had the shorts, ponytail, tattoos and hands wrapped in glass...fake of course!). You could see how excited he was to meet our hero, Mr. Qissi. As I looked at this excited young kid, I couldn’t help but smile. I saw myself at 8 years old again. It felt like life had come full circle.
My lovely Mom passed away 6 years ago. She was only 61 years old. I really miss her.
My favorite video rental place Movie Magic Video no longer exists.
Cadbury Spira’s were discontinued in 2005. Birds Eye potato fritters were discontinued 3 years later in 2008.
Yet each time I watch Kickboxer 2, I still feel like that wide-eyed 8-year-old boy for 90 minutes.
Thanks, Mom.