Bullet Points: Kill and Kill Again
I remember seeing the brick smashing VHS cover of 1981’s Kill and Kill Again countless times at the video store as a youngster. But back then if you were a martial arts movie without Bruce Lee, a ninja or Chuck Norris on the cover, you weren’t coming home with me. If only I knew then what I know now.
I remember seeing James Ryan, the star of Kill and Kill Again, for the first time in the “Space Mutiny” episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000. Ryan’s character in Space Mutiny walked with a cane, totally underselling his physical abilities. Leap ahead to my next James Ryan movie experience, The Redemption: Kickboxer 5, and Ryan is portraying a former kickboxer and does get to show off some of his martial arts skills, but between his character’s asinine plan for kickboxing domination in Kickboxer 5 and the first impression of him as a gimp, I did not look at James Ryan as a great asset to the action entertainment genre. If only I knew then what I know now.
- Making a Splash: Our movie begins at a swanky resort in Sun City, South Africa. It is there that the Sun City International Martial Arts Confederation is bestowing their highest honor on our movie’s hero Steve Chase (James Ryan). But a funny thing happens on the way to the awards ceremony, Steve finds himself saving a damsel in distress named Kandy Kane (Anneline Kriel) from some thugs who meant to do her great harm. As the emcee introduces Steve Chase, the fight spills out into the crowd that has gathered to celebrate Steve’s honor and everyone witnesses first hand why Steve Chase deserves any and all martial arts accolades that come his way. Not only does Steve know how to make a memorable entrance, when some of the onlookers go tumbling into the swimming pool during Steve’s skirmish with the thugs, we also learn Steve Chase knows how to make a splash!
- Kandy Land: Kandy Kane has more trouble in store for Steve Chase. Kandy’s father, Dr. Horatio Kane, is a world renowned chemist who had recently made a breakthrough with his renewable energy from potatoes concept. A bi-product of Dr. Kane’s potatoes into fuel experiments is a powerful mind control drug (so that’s why you can’t eat just one potato chip!!) This bi-product gains the attention of a tyrant named Marduk (Michael Mayer) who has designs on ruling the world. Dr. Kane is kidnapped by Marduk and forced to administer the mind control drug to the inhabitants of a mountain village known as Ironville (but renamed by Marduk as New Babylonia) creating an army of martial artists completely under Marduk’s control. Kandy Kane and some rich dudes cut a deal with Steve Chase to rescue Dr. Horatio Kane and get the mind control drug out of the hands of Marduk the madman.
- Some Assembly Required: Now even the highly skilled Steve Chase can’t take on Marduk and an entire army of martial artists on his own… he’s going to need four good men. We are then treated to several scenes of Steve recruiting his team. First there is The Fly (Stan Schmidt), he plays hard to get at first but eventually comes around. Then there is the massive Gorilla (Ken Gampu of Black Trash fame). Gorilla is working on a construction site and taking on seven of his co-workers in a game of tug of war when Steve tracks him down. Third up is a former world champion martial artist and current trailer park resident, Gypsy Billy (Norman Robinson). The fourth recruit is the eccentric and unorthodox Hotdog (Bill Flynn). Steve also gets some unwanted help from Kandy Kane who tags along despite Steve’s protests. With the team assembled, it is time for Steve and friends to get the mission underway…
- Do You Know The Way?: As you might expect, the road to New Babylonia is not a smooth one for Steve Chase and his team of heroes. There is danger at every turn, including a stop at a saloon that results in a Scene of the Week worthy bar fight. When the team finally arrives at New Babylonia things don’t get any easier. The strangers in a strange land are forced to fight like gladiators against Marduk’s mind controlled martial artists.
What do I know now that I’ve seen Kill and Kill Again?
I know that James Ryan is the real deal. I know Kill and Kill Again is a movie I would highly recommend. I know that Kill and Kill Again is an action packed romp that had a keen sense of humor throughout. And possibly most importantly, I know Kill and Kill Again is a movie I will watch again and again.
Do you want to know more about Kill and Kill Again? Then check out these Bonus Bullet Points…
- Pinky Tuscadero: Marduk has a right hand woman named Minerva (Marloe Scott Wilson). Minerva sports some bright pink hair and has a thing for calling Marduk by pet names like honey child, angel face, dimples, pumpkin pie, chuckles, popsicle, honey suckle, butter cup and dumpling.
- Captain Obvious: Another nickname that would be fitting for Marduk would be Captain Obvious. All of Marduk’s plans have very obvious names… his plan to intercept Steve Chase and his team before they make it up the mountain is named Operation Intercept. When Operation Intercept fails, Marduk sends in some skydivers to attack our heroes in what he calls Operation Skydive. Finally, Marduk’s plan to contaminate the world’s water supply with the mind control drug is called Operation Water Supply.
- One Question: Was it absolutely necessary for the Marduk character to have a beard? I’m guessing so, why else would they have Michael Mayer wear that ridiculous fake beard!?!
- If You Ever: …wanted to see a man light a candle with his feet, then this is the movie for you.
- Backstory: Gorilla was banned from professional wrestling after he kept biting his opponent’s ears off.
- Familiar Faces: The men of considerable means who agree to pay Steve Chase $5 million to rescue Dr. Horatio Kane looked familiar to me and for good reason. Dennis Folbigge, who played the first gentleman, and Ralph Draper, who played the second gentleman, were in American Ninja 2: The Confrontation.
- Aviation Checklist: Unlike many action movies shot in South Africa, Kill and Kill Again did not feature any form of Ultralight aviation but we do get an exploding helicopter!
