Kurt Sloane (Alain Moussi) has always been there for his brother, Eric (Darren Shahlavi), who's known in the martial arts world as a modern-day warrior. When Eric dies fighting the Muay Thai champion Tong Po, Kurt is out for vengeance.
There isn't anything offensively wrong with Kickboxer: Vengeance, there's just not enough right for it to be more than a Friday night fix upon returning from the pub with a takeaway.
Finally, 27 years after unleashing Jean-Claude Van Damme on the world, Kickboxer, the martial arts franchise that refuses to die, is boldly rebooted with the supremely silly Kickboxer: Vengeance.
"Vengeance" is well-crafted good fun - and good proof that you don't need more than two hours or $100 million to give ticket buyers their money's worth in popcorn thrills.
None of it ... comes within spitting distance of the original's highs, like its dance sequence, so awkwardly staged and poorly directed that it actually becomes charming.
This reboot smartly doesn't try to escalate the material to bigger and better status, keeping things small and scrappy and relying on the fighters to be the best special effects.
"Kickboxer: Vengeance" isn't going to raise anyone's SAT score, but it's passable in the realms of kickboxing cinema and will hold your attention during late-night cable viewing.
