not as good as the first installment
Added 4/22/2007
Ring of Fire 2 goes in a completely different direction than the first Ring of Fire, concentrating more on fight action than story. The best thing about ROF2 is many of the retruning cast members from the first movie, and this time, all fighting on the same side instead of against each other.
Here is an example of some of the martial arts cast list in this movie, enough of a reason to own ROF2:
Don Wilson (Bloodfist series)
Dale Jacoby (No Retreat No Surrender, Bloodmatch)
Vince Murdocco (Kickboxer 2, To Be The Best)
Ron Yuan (To Be The Best, White Tiger)
Eric Lee (Talons of the Eagle, Fists of Iron)
Ian Jacklin (Death Match, Kickboxer 3)
Evan Lurie (Tiger Claws 2, American Kickboxer 2)
The story is so simple, that the action pretty much is the story. Bad guy gang (led by the Ian Jacklin and Evan Lurie charcaters) take Johnny's girl (Maria Ford) to the underground, and the good doc and his 4 buddies from the first Ring of Fire movie, go in to find her. From there on out its one action scene after another, battling their way through. The only positive element of the story I found was the Sy Richardson character, ex army man, who explains his views and opinions of the world above while trying to survive in the world below.
Most of this movie is cheesy as heck, with underground garbage gangs and shadow warriors dressed in costumes from the carnival. The only entertaining fights are those in the Ring of Steel (yes Steel, no Fire in this movie) put on by the villains. Don Wilson gets to fight Evan Lurie in the ring, and then finally a several minute final showdown against Ian Jacklin above ground that is basically an average fight.
Lots of action is the theme of this movie and a good cast, but no story and the fights are just average. Unfortunately, the skills of some of these guys - Ron Yuan and Vince Murdocco for ex. - are not used to their fullest.
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Fun... popcorn on the couch kind of movie.
Added 10/11/2005
Well... what can I say? It's fun... if you let it be fun. It's filled to the brim with well-choreographed fight scenes that are executed to perfection by professional martial artists... That seems to be the most true and innate value of this romp. The story seems to have been put in place primarily as a vehicle to get from one fight scene to another. Some moments of decent acting by the supporting cast will sneak up on you... as will some comedic moments provided by the comic relief. (The comic relief - physically - the smallest martial artist in the movie and naturally... portrayed in the film as the MOST girl-hungry!)
The score is fine but the film has a very fun soundtrack that winds up being featured on an underground radio station within the parameters of the story.. If you like this genre of movies you'll like this one as much as you would any other...
Too bad they didn't sell the soundtrack!
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Too bad Don wasn't a real doctor 'cause then he could have
Added 5/2/2005
Too bad Don wasn't a real doctor like the one he plays in this "movie" 'cause then he could have pulled the cord on this braindead vegetable.
Basically a rip-off of "The Warriors" with the Don 'the dragon' running through 'underground' L.A. fighting various losers who apparently have nothing better to do than lay hiding in piles of trash, in homemade outfits, waiting to jump the first person who walks by.
Much like "TC 2000" no one likes put on cozy pajamas and watch "Alf" reruns while eating macaroni, while instead opting to fight all day. Too bad 'cause that Melmacian sock puppet delivered lines more believably than "the dragon" and his backup gang of NKOTB rejects. Maybe I shouldn't be so harsh...after all we are talking about a movie where a carphone is actually a housephone sitting oh so obviously in the driver's lap.
Kudos to the attempt at political commentary with the 'Nam vet Ernest confessing his loss of direction in life only to return near the climax to mercilessly blow away 3/4 of the un-armed (unless you count leather wrist guards and collars a la Mad Max) bad guys.
"I didn't learn much from the army but what I did learn I learnt well" says the misguided Ernest. Too bad I didn't take basic training, then I wouldn't have known to duck and cover from this bomb.
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And the winner is.......
Added 1/19/2005
RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL is without question Don "The Dragon" Wilson's best film ever. Those disappointed by the fact that he only had one major fight in RING OF FIRE will find that he more than makes up for it here.
In fact, so does everyone else. While I was disappointed that Gary Daniels was not in BLOOD AND STEEL, most of the rest of the kickboxing cast from RING OF FIRE are back, and it is evident that everyone was determined to make a kung fu maovie so action-packed that it would be almost impossible to dislike.
And as far as I'm concerned, they have. Don particularly shines in the film. Never has he been faster, tougher, or more determined to kick ass. And everyone one of his martial art compadres (Eric Lee, Ron Yuan, Vince Murdocco, Dale Jacoby) get their oppurtunity in the spotlight as well, and they do not disappoint.
And to top it off, the film's head villian, Kalin, is played by non other than everyone's favorite kickboxing tough guy, Ian Jacklin. He and Don have a fantastic climactic duel that will blow you away.
If you hated every single other movie that Don "The Dragon" Wilson has been in, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL is the one to see. If you loved all of his other movies, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL puts them all to shame.
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Just Leave Your I.Q. At The Door
Added 11/25/2004
Wow! "Ring of Fire 2" takes an entirely different route than the original. The first installment was a Romeo and Juliet type of romance set against a backdrop of a cross-culture martial arts fued. Don "The Dragon" Wilson was the romantic lead and left most of the fight scenes to his capable co-stars.
The sequel, on the other hand, is a non-stop action film. Don, reprising his role of Johnny, and his buddies go underground(literally!) in search of the gang leader who kidnapped his fiance(Maria Ford, reprising her role- but with a different hair color!).
The plot is totally contrived, but this is just such a likable knucklehead of a movie that it's hard not to like it. Don the Dragon gets plenty of fight scenes this time around. Wise move.
"Ring of Fire 2" is solid action entertainment. Just remember to leave your I.Q. at the door and you'll love it.
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