10 Obscure Early ‘90s Martial Arts Films You’ve By no means Heard Of

The ’90s motion period is equal components beloved and maligned. It gave the period its classics, like Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Warmth, and The Rock, however on the similar time, the arrival of VHS and a fast cash-in strategy to sensational content material flooded the market with low-cost, generic motion films. Many movies fell by way of the cracks throughout this large outpouring of pre-internet content material.

A few of these films need to be misplaced to time however current curiosities price testing for motion followers who’ve seen all the things. On the similar time, a few of these are licensed gems which were missed for too lengthy and haven’t been given the respect they deserve. Both approach, chances are high you’ve by no means heard of those 10 martial arts films till now.

‘Blood and Metal’ (1990)

Martial artist Mark Swetland’s life is upended when his sister is brutally murdered by what’s believed to be a serial killer. Nevertheless, as he unravels the reality behind the incident, it factors to a broader conspiracy. Mark recruits the fighters from his dojo to confront a corrupt native authorities and drug peddlers.

House Spun Attraction

Blood and Metal was a shot-on-video motion flick that was primarily forgotten about as quickly because it was accomplished: a small native fan-made manufacturing that did not know the way to distribute itself. Nevertheless, in 2022, SRS unearthed the movie and gave it a deserved remaster. The film is a love letter to Bruce Lee in one of the best sense, full of fashionable motion from a fan in author, director, and star, Mark Swetland. It feels home-brewed, and the dearth of expertise in filmmaking is obvious, however it’s all simply so charming with some phenomenal motion sequences.

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‘Dragon Hunt’ (1990)

Twin kickboxers Martin and Michael McNamara discover themselves roped right into a lethal recreation of “kill the twins” after they’re focused by a militia generally known as the Individuals’s Non-public Military after they embarrass a few of their members in a combat. The brothers are lured to a distant island, the place a bounty is placed on their heads, with the winner taking a prize. No weapons are allowed on this lethal recreation (it does happen in Canada, in any case), and the brothers find yourself preventing their approach by way of a myriad of baddies.

A Canadian Curiosity

The closing credit make it clear that Dragon Hunt was made with none help from authorities funding, which is somewhat telltale signal concerning the manufacturing and the problems confronted (it’s uncommon to not get authorities funding). The film is affordable, horribly shot, acted, and tacky; there’s a lot odd homo-eroticism between the 2 real-life twins. Nonetheless, the film is a blast for followers of so-bad-its-good cinema, and has developed a devoted cult following. For motion followers, the motion within the second half is strong with spurts of sensational violence, however the film is greatest served when watched with some like-minded associates eager to share fun.

‘Ninja Vengeance’ (1993)

Ninja Vengeance

Launch Date

June 30, 1993

Runtime

87 minutes

Director

Karl Armstrong

Writers

Carrie Armstrong

Solid

• 
• 

  Janet Pawlak

  Samantha “Sam” Martin

• 
• 

  Carrie Armstrong

  Waitress

After his bike breaks down, martial arts skilled Jesse is stranded in a small Texas city. It’s right here that he witnesses the assault on a black pupil by the KKK and decides to intervene. This motion places him and the younger pupil in peril, and Jesse should combat towards a corrupt police power that heads the racist group.

Preventing Racism in a Small City

Not beating across the bush, Ninja Vengeance takes an intriguing premise for the period and fumbles it fairly onerous by not providing something of substance in its exploration of themes of racism. The movie additionally has extra of an exploitative really feel, which, for many who love these gritty motion films of the Seventies, will discover this a hidden gem. The motion is sparse however nicely executed. Principally, the movie feels prefer it was made out of time, however approaching it with the correct mindset could make for an satisfying expertise.

‘Kindergarten Ninja’ (1994)

Soccer star Blade Metal, performed by actual NFL star Dwight Clark, is pressured to work at a neighborhood heart after a DWI. In the meantime, an angel with a putting resemblance to Bruce Lee is tasked to carry out deed. This deed comes from reforming Blade Metal, who additionally finds himself defending his neighborhood by studying newfound martial arts abilities by way of his guardian angel.

An Hour-Lengthy Anti-Drug PSA

Some films are made to be forgotten, and this motion comedy barely delivers in each components. That is filmmaking at its worst, with all the things from performing, cinematography, choreography, and comedic timing falling flat. The flick does have some so-bad-its-good attraction, and seeing two-time SuperBowl winner Dwight Clark fumble so horribly into an performing profession is notable. Kindergarten Ninja was sponsored by D.A.R.E., so its constructive anti-drug messaging turns into as awkward and uncool as one would count on.

‘Stranglehold’ (1994)

Stranglehold

Launch Date

January 1, 1994

Runtime

73 minutes

Director

Cirio H. Santiago

Writers

Brendan Broderick, Mark Evan Schwartz

Producers

Roger Corman

Solid

• 

  Jerry Trimble

  Ryan Cooper

• 

  Jillian McWhirter

  Helen Filmore

• 

  Vernon Wells

  Gerald Richter

• 

The federal government is on the mercy of a terrorist group after they seize a congresswoman and take over a secret chemical manufacturing facility. When the Navy, Airforce, and Coast Guard fail to penetrate the terrorists’ defenses, they attain out to a one-man military in former Secret Service agent Ryan Cooper (Jerry Trimble) to infiltrate the manufacturing facility.

One Man Versus A Terrorist Group

Simply take a look at that poster! It oozes ’90s machismo and guarantees scantily clad girls, fisticuffs, and explosions. Nonetheless, Stranglehold affords a relatively ‘mid’ expertise in motion, story, and sensationalism, which is probably going why it has change into misplaced with time. But the motion flick has its strengths: a good runtime, superior stuntwork, and a very good showcase for the underrated motion star Jerry Trimble. Go in not anticipating a lot, and you should have time.

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‘Kung Fu Cult Grasp’ (1993)

Set through the Yuan Dynasty, Kung Fu Cult Grasp follows Zhang Wuji (performed by the long-lasting Jet Li), an orphan whose mother and father depart him with the present of data of historical martial arts powers. Zhang makes use of his talents to construct a group of gifted fighters, who vie for 2 golden swords which are stated to grant nice energy.

An Underappreciated Jet Li Fantasy Motion Flick

You possibly can’t speak about missed motion with out digging into the world of HK cinema. Kung Fu Cult Grasp is a Jet Li deep lower, one that isn’t typically mentioned, however it has the actor at his greatest, working alongside famed combat choreographer Sammo Hung. The motion right here is fantasy-fueled, with gravity-defying leaps, and fireballs abound. The film would flop on launch, however it has since garnered a cult following. Nonetheless, when speaking about one of the best Wuxia movies of the ’90s, it nonetheless typically will get missed.

‘Faculty Kickboxers’ (1992)

Faculty Kickboxers

Launch Date

January 29, 1992

Runtime

85 minutes

Director

Eric Sherman

Writers

Teresa Woo

Producers

William Yuen Lap-Chuen

• 

  Ken McLeod

  James Caulfield

• 
• 

  Matthew Ray Cohen

  Craig Tanner

• 

Faculty freshman James Caulfield finds a good friend in fellow martial arts fanatic and practioner Mark Brown, after the 2 bond over their aggressive nature within the ring. When the 2 are focused by a gang generally known as the White Tigers who single out Mark for his ethnicity, the 2 study their abilities are not any match for giant numbers and soiled preventing. Throughout a confrontation, they’re saved by a martial arts grasp generally known as Mr. Wing, who then goes on to coach the boys his methods.

Lessons in A** Kicking

Faculty Kickboxers is the uncommon case of a film turning into a well-executed comedy unintentionally. All the things right here is hammed as much as the max, the dialogue is awkward, and everybody comes throughout as a caricature of motion stereotypes. This cause alone is probably going why the movie type of flew beneath the radar on launch, however the unintended comedy has aged like nice wine; it doesn’t harm that the film nails the martial arts motion.

‘Bounty Tracker’ (1993)

Bounty Tracker

Launch Date

Could 5, 1993

Runtime

86 minutes

Director

Kurt Anderson

Producers

Pierre David

Solid

• 

  Lorenzo Lamas

  Johnathan Damone

• 
• 
• 

A bloodbath at a tax guide’s workplace units off a series of occasions that sees one of many sole survivors reaching out to his brother, a talented bounty hunter, Johnny Damone (Lorenzo Lamas), to guard his household. But, when the gang is ready to get previous Johnny and homicide his brother and his household, he begins a violence-fueled quest for revenge.

One Man’s Quest for Revenge

Lorenzo Lamas is a type of stars of the ’90s that by no means fairly broke into the mainstream however grew to become a fan favourite amongst motion diehards. His display prowess is on full show right here in Bounty Hunter, that includes one of many best-choreographed fights of the actor’s profession as he brawls with a complete dojo stuffed with thugs. B-movie motion at its greatest.

‘Savate’ (1995)

Going down in 1865, Savate follows French legionnaire Joseph Charlegrand (Olivier Gruner) as he heads to the USA to trace down the killer of his comrade in arms, Ziegfield Von Trotta (Marc Singer). When he arrives, he befriends the locals intrigued by the martial artwork of Savate, and he quickly finds himself serving to them towards the corrupt mayor. The mayor organizes a preventing match with a money prize, which supplies Joseph the possibility to face Ziegfeld if he could make it to the finals.

Outdated West Meets Martial Arts Event

When you’ve got seen one preventing match film, and you’ve got seen all of them, Savate is not any completely different in the way in which of how cookie-cutter it’s. But, even amongst widespread tropes and drained plotlines, the Issac Florentine motion film nonetheless stands tall among the many numerous. The place Savate excels is its distinctive Western setting, nods to spaghetti Westerns, and showcasing of a (then) much less recognized martial artwork. The combat choreography can also be top-notch and fast-paced all through.

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‘Mind Smasher… A Love Story’ (1993)

Skilled mannequin Samantha Crain (Teri Hatcher) is tasked with serving to her sister smuggle a uncommon purple lotus believed to present martial artists limitless energy. This places her within the path of a bunch of Chinese language Shaolin monks looking for energy for themselves. Whereas fleeing an assault, she runs into Ed “The Brainsmasher” Malloy (Andrew ‘Cube’ Clay), a boxer turned bouncer who agrees to assist her.

A Failed Try to Get A Comic Into the Theaters

Director Albert Pyun has made some licensed B-movie gems. Mind Smasher… A Love Story shouldn’t be considered one of them. Attempting to construct off the ‘charisma’ of Andrew “Cube” Clay and utilizing slight fantasy components to seize the comedy of a movie like Large Hassle in Little China didn’t repay. The motion comedy was initially supposed for a theatrical launch, however it was determined that it was within the studio’s greatest curiosity to ship it out straight to video.

The film is fairly painful. Andrew “Cube” Clay was a controversial determine in comedy who has solely change into extra unbearable with time. Is there any attraction right here? The motion will be foolish in an satisfying approach, and it’s enjoyable to select aside the numerous… many… missteps that noticed it go from an supposed theatrical launch into the dumpster.