IRS Media, an outgrowth of IRS Records, is an independent production/releasing company with a history of backing offbeat film projects. Cynthia Rothrock is a martial-artist whose numerous films feature the blandest possible story lines, the better to show off her unflagging energy and
combat skills. So who wins the battle for RAGE AND HONOR's sensibilities? Never underestimate the power of kung-fu.
Visually, RAGE AND HONOR is outstanding, opening with high-contrast, black-and-white video footage of a transaction between LA drug dealers and corrupt cops. The cameraman, a high school student, is caught and beaten by the bad guys, but not before hiding the vital tape. Preston Michaels
(Richard Norton), an Australian lawman visiting the US on a cop foreign-exchange program, rushes the injured witness to the hospital. But the criminals are his cohorts on the force, and they easily frame Michaels for murder, thanks to widespread anti-Australianism in the LAPD.
To prove his innocence, Preston contacts the teenager's concerned teacher, Kris Fairchild (Rothrock), who moonlights as martial-arts instructor for police cadets. Together they hunt for the tape in the Los Angeles underworld, coming up against a multitude of villains, including bigoted cops,
sexy and evil businesswoman Rita Carrion (Terri Treas), all-girl glamor gang leader, Hannah the Hun (Alex Datcher), and, finally, drug-peddling mastermind Conrad Drago (Brian Thompson), a sadistic muscleman who is also Kris's estranged, psychopathic brother. He, Kris and Preston duel to the death
in a slow motion rooftop finale.
Writer/director Terence H. Winkless uses a host of conspicuous filmmaking techniques--slow motion is only the beginning--in his effort to convince the viewer that this Cynthia Rothrock action vehicle is different from other Cynthia Rothrock vehicles, which include MARTIAL LAW 2, CHINA O'BRIEN,
TIGER CLAWS, HONOR AND GLORY and even RAGE AND HONOR 2: HOSTILE TAKEOVER, which followed HOSTILE TAKEOVER to home video almost immediately. But virtually all that distinguishes RAGE AND HONOR (even the title is generic) is its unwarranted sense of self-importance, typical of hackneyed kung-fu
material with studio backing--for this level of filmmaking, IRS is a major studio. Though the high-gloss production values make the most of a budget in the $2 to 3 million range, the near-mythic treatment of these characters hardly seems justified, and the action sequences feel contrived. Rothrock
is, as always, dynamic and watchable and Richard Norton, her frequent sidekick, goes through the motions with an unpretentious charm and a bit of underdog appeal, thanks to the curiously rampant anti-Australianism he encounters. Producer IRS's most significant contributions are soundtrack material
from such bands as The Infidels and Lords of the New Church, names not normally associated with karate kitsch. (Violence, profanity, substance abuse, sexual situations.) leave a comment
