Truly lives up to its film title. 'The Dark Angel: Psycho Kickboxer'. Well at least three quarters of it, because I didn't think it was psycho enough. Love the opening credit intro with its soothing sax, and synthesizer beats. Fitting vibes.
Anyway this b-movie was a nice little self-aware throwback to cheap, formulaic straight to video action sludge of the late 80s through to the early 90s. Some crazy action, a bit of gore, training montage, hazy cinematography and vivid 90s fashion. As our kickboxer (portrayed by American world champion kickboxer Curtis Bush) decked out in a black ninja outfit (looking at times quite uncomfortable) goes pound for pound (cue in the dodgy sound fx) with a variety of street criminals ala 'Death Wish' style in trying to develop his street smarts, before seeking revenge on those responsible for the death of his father and fiancée. You know, the big fish. The type of villain who growls and cackles a lot while getting shoulder massages in his dimly lit office and demanding nothing short of excellence whenever wheeling and dealing. From this you can tell you get mostly two forms of performances - stiff or bombastic. Just look at the dialogue delivery between main bad guy compared to the kickboxer. Two extremes.
After awhile the focus shifts to a dogged newspaper reporter and a down on his luck private detective trying to figure just who is the Dark Angel. When this occurs it kinda slows up, and the novelty begins to lose steam. Before finding its way back with a stodgily executed tournament climax in the Arena of Death.
In all, the most amusing, and ridiculous moments were mainly the banter between the kickboxer and his wheel chair bound mentor/rescuer and of course whenever the kickboxer magically appears from nowhere fighting unrelated criminals committing crimes (like car jacking, handbag theft, yelling at kid's graffitiing) on the streets during the midday hustle and bustle. There's nothing discrete about his vigilante actions, as he clumsily beats up and then runs off in a less than graceful manner. One thing though, there's no doubting this town had a high crime rate.
"The Dark Angel? *laughs* "Sounds like a comic book hero. I don't like it".