Kickboxing legend Don “The Dragon” Wilson stars in this action film whose main character can be said to be referenced by the Yuen Biao classic Above the Law (not to be confused with the Steven Seagal film).
Fifteen months ago, lawyer John Decker witnessed the brutal murder of his family at the hands of a band of drug runners and is beaten into a coma yet survives. However, he cannot fully identify them. When he witnesses a small drug deal, he is able to take them out using his skills in martial arts. He finds himself dubbed as the “Karateman”. However, he still has nightmares and sees therapist McConnell, who introduces him to art gallery owner Joanna Montague.
Joanna, like John, has suffered from a painful past. At first, Joanna finds herself reluctant to trust John. However, she eventually gains his trust and the two start a relationship. Meanwhile, John decides to take full advantage of being known as the Karateman and goes out late at night taking down a major drug ring led by Rick and his top man Blade. When Joanna is kidnapped by Rick, who happens to be her ex-boyfriend, John must do what it takes to save her but learns something in the process.
After his retirement from the ring, kickboxing legend Don “The Dragon” Wilson made this film for PM Entertainment. The lawyer turned vigilante concept was done in the Hong Kong film Above the Law with Yuen Biao. However, this isn’t a ripoff of that film, but basically a film about a man’s quest for revenge after the tragic death of his family at the hands of drug runners. The film does have a nice twist involving our protagonist’s love relationship with Joanna, played by Shari Shattuck, who pulls off quite a nicely done British accent. For some reason, Todd Curtis’ drug running leader Rick reminds me of a George Clooney clone with a cowboy hat while he lets his thug Blade, played by College Kickboxers lead Ken McLeod, do all the fighting for him.
Wilson and the “King of Kata”, Eric Lee, served as the film’s fight choreographers. With the trademark PM shots of slow motion and double takes, the fights serve well with Wilson taking charge, taking on anyone who stands in his way. He takes on Art Camacho in the film’s opening fight scene and later in the film; he takes on the late legendary fighter Howard Jackson. Wilson’s Bloodfist II co-star and Shotokan karate champion Tim Baker has a brief cameo as a parking garage attendant who sells drugs from his booth. Wilson engages in two fistacuffs with former American Gladiator Deron “Malibu” McBee and Dino Homsey and of course, his fight against Ken McLeod is not totally disappointing.
Out for Blood takes the vigilante concept and twists it nicely. Hardcore fans of “The Dragon” will not be disappointed with his presence and fight scenes. Worth a rental.
WFG RATING: B-
A PM Entertainment production. Director: Richard W. Munchkin. Producers: Joseph Merhi and Richard Pepin. Writers: David S. Green, Neva Friedenn, and Paul Maslak; story by Green and Don “The Dragon” Wilson. Cinematography: Richard Pepin. Editing: Ron Cabreros, Paul G. Volk, and Geraint Bell.
Cast: Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Shari Shattuck, Michael DeLano, Ron Steelman, Todd Curtis, Ken McLeod, Aki Aleong, Beau Billingslea, Roberta Vasquez, Robert Maino, Pamela Dixon, Deron McBee, Dino Homsey, Art Camacho.
WorldFilmGeek 