Bullet Points: Karate Warrior 2
After thoroughly enjoying 1987’s Karate Warrior earlier this year, I found myself taking another step down the Karate Warrior rabbit hole when I checked out the 1988 follow up, Karate Warrior 2…
- Benvenido a Miami: When we last saw our hero Anthony Scott (Kim Stuart) in the closing moments of Karate Warrior, he was saying goodbye to Maria, the girl he fell in love with while staying with his dad in the Philippines, promising her that he’d be back… but as Karate Warrior 2 starts it is clear that Anthony has moved on from Maria as we hear him on the phone arguing with his new girlfriend that he stood up a few days prior and worse didn’t even invite to his birthday party that is about to be taking place at Anthony’s grandparents’ home.
- Surprise: For some reason, the party that Anthony already knew about is being held under “surprise party” rules… but while the party may not have shocked Anthony, the extravagant gift his grandparents got him sure did. With Anthony about to head off to college, his grandparents thought it would be a good idea to get Anthony his own car. Anthony is so excited about his new wheels he immediately takes it for a spin… leaving his own party about 5 minutes after he arrived. While Anthony is out cruising he passes some ne’er do wells that are packed 6 strong in a big black car with a tiger airbrushed on the hood. The driver of the car is a guy named Dick Anderson (Christopher Alan) and he doesn’t like being showed up by Anthony, especially in front of his girl Patty (Amy Lynn Baxter)… so he runs Anthony and his car off the rode and into the drink and Anthony’s new car is submerged.
- The Hitcher: A nice gentleman in a fan boat gets Anthony back to land and that is about the time we meet Luke. Luke was driving by as Anthony found himself stranded… Luke agrees to drive Anthony into town but only if Anthony agrees to be his friend… can you say pathetic? Anyway Luke gives Anthony the scoop on Dick and The Tigers, a group of delinquent karate students who have instilled fear in the hearts of everyone in this little college town. As they drive by the local Ben & Jerry’s Soda Shoppe, Anthony spots Dick’s car and tells Luke to pull over. Anthony walks right up to Dick and demands restitution for his vehicle… and the battle lines have been drawn.
- The Sins of the Father: Dick orders his minions to find out everything they can about the new guy in town… and what they find out make’s Dick’s blood boil. It seems that Dick’s dad and Anthony’s dad were in college together 23 years earlier. Anthony’s dad stopped Dick’s dad and his friends from gang banging a girl, then reported the incident and Dick’s dad ended up being expelled. Now Dick really wants to fight Anthony, but Anthony wants no part of a street fight where Dick and the Tigers would clearly have the advantage. Instead Anthony wants a sanctioned fight… with officials, a round and scoring system and time keepers. Luke is able to use a friend he has at the local radio station to help promote the fight and the school auditorium is filled with karate loving spectators.
- Win If You Can, Lose If You Must, But Always Cheat: The theory that Dick would have to play by the rules because he’d be in front of a crowd was thrown out the window when it is revealed that Dick has bribed Anthony’s corner man to spray a chemical on the towel he is using to wipe Anthony down with between rounds. The chemical has Anthony woozy and discombobulated… but thanks to the Dragon Blow, Anthony wins the uphill battle and defeats Dick! But wait… there’s still 30 minutes left in the movie.
- Here Comes the Tigers: Dick is completely humiliated… he lost to Anthony in front of the entire college and his girlfriend Patty is now Anthony’s girlfriend. So Dick tracks down Karate Warrior’s answer to Sensei Kreese, Mark Sanders (Ted Prior, Deadly Prey) the man who founded the Tigers. Dick offers Sanders $5,000 to take out Anthony in another fight in front of the school. Anthony has no choice but to accept, but Anthony has an ace up his sleeve… his trainer, Master Kimura!
Karate Warrior 2 is filled with elements that should make me despise the film. But much like the original, I couldn’t help but enjoy this movie… even with the bad dubbing and a protagonist who comes across as an asshole from time to time. And not only did I enjoy Karate Warrior 2, it left me wanting more Italian Karate Kid rip offs… which means I need to track down Karate Warrior 3.
If you find yourself wanting more, you’ll want to check out these Bonus Bullet Points…
- He’s Back Baby… Sort of: The character of Master Kimura returned, but Ken Watanabe (not that Ken Watanabe) did not return to reprise the Kimura role, instead Leon Elalout took over the role of Master Kimura.
- Training Montage: Once Master Kimura makes his way to Florida before Anthony’s fight with Mark Sanders, you know it is only a matter of time before we get a training montage!
- Memorable Quote: “I’ve got a couple of karate tricks you don’t know about, little asshole!” – Anthony to Luke …Which set up…
- Memorable Insult: “Monolithic Asshole!” – Luke to Anthony
