Just a minor note: some have said Back in Action was a direct-to-video release in the U.S. which isn't accurate. It was released for a brief run in the Southwest in 1993, playing at United Artists theaters including the University Quartet in Little Rock. Based on my memory, however, the lure of the 35mm prints did not attract huge audiences although I think it made a second week of release at one location as a split run. While Shaprio-Glickenhaus Entertainment did handle the Foreign Distribution Sales, it arranged with United International Pictures (UIP) for the domestic theatrical run in the U.S., probably just for the video store campaign as much as anything.
17 Reviews
Wrestling the king of the kickboxers...
fmarkland3222 February 2007
Rowdy Roddy Piper stars as tough guy police officer who joins forces with martial arts expert/vigilante Billy Blanks to bring down mobsters, who have kidnapped Piper's journalist squeeze(Bobbie Phillips) and Blanks's sister much action and karate chops fly. Billy Blanks and Roddy Piper's charisma (notice I didn't say acting) lifts what would be just another throwaway action flick which consists off the team up two tough guys with different styles, however as expected Back In Action features tons of admittedly spectacular action sequences which always offers a big bodycount. Admittedly all of this is silly, most of it predictable and derivative but Back In Action certainly lives up to its title and fans of the genre will enjoy the big bodycount which compensates for all the shortcomings Back In Action contains.
* *1/2 out of 4-(Pretty good)
* *1/2 out of 4-(Pretty good)
The sound effects guys worked overtime for this one
gridoon202431 March 2010
For a movie that is largely sold (on posters, taglines, etc.) on the strength of the Billy Blanks - "Rowdy" Roddy Piper teaming, "Back In Action" doesn't really feature as much of their teamwork as you might expect - it's only in the last half hour that they join forces to go after the same targets. It's a bit of a shame, too, as these two do have some strong chemistry (in their first scene together, they fight each other, and it's amusing to see Blanks' kickboxing vs. Piper's brawling), and the rest of the "plot" is far too weak to hold your interest in other ways. The action in general is nothing really special in quality, but it's hard to complain about the quantity at least. The two women in the film, Bobbie Phillips and Kai Soremekun, are gorgeous, but it seems a bit of a waste to cast Phillips in a martial arts actioner and give her only about 10 seconds of fighting in total, considering how much a$$ she kicked in the same year's "TC 2000" (also with Blanks). Also be warned: this is an extremely violent film. I wasn't surprised to read on IMDb that it was originally rated NC-17 in the USA, and banned (!) in the UK. ** out of 4.
OK but not great..
Irishchatter14 February 2016
Warning: Spoilers
I only watched this because Rowdy Roddy Piper was in this and that this is meant to be an action film. Now, most of the scenes were kinda lacking in that way but, there wasn't much going on. The action scene's weren't really heavy as such,all they lasted were less than 5 minutes and that made me yawn. So like we all do when watching a boring movie, skip onto the ending.
Near the ending, there was a lot better action because Pipers character including Billy Blanks character had a goal in saving the girls and kicked the bad guys butt in order to save the world. Really, I just think it would be better off if it was like that during the movie, having a clear mind on what's involved to gain that goal and destroying the enemy who are keeping you away from the aim you are just gang up on. It makes a lot of sense in a movie!
Even if it's underrated, it's not that good in my opinion.....
Near the ending, there was a lot better action because Pipers character including Billy Blanks character had a goal in saving the girls and kicked the bad guys butt in order to save the world. Really, I just think it would be better off if it was like that during the movie, having a clear mind on what's involved to gain that goal and destroying the enemy who are keeping you away from the aim you are just gang up on. It makes a lot of sense in a movie!
Even if it's underrated, it's not that good in my opinion.....
Welcome to the 90's: Roddy Piper and Billy Blanks, direct-to-video stars.
Captain_Couth31 August 2005
Back in Action (1994) was another direct-to-video-movie that starred two of the biggest players in the rising rental market. Billy Blanks plays a former decorated solider who's sister is mixed up with a local gangster. He knows that he's no good and she'll end up in trouble or worse. Roddy Piper co-stars as a hung over drunken cop who crosses paths with the enraged Billy. How will theses two be able to help each other out? Roddy wants to bust the mobster and Billy wants to put them six feet under. Will these two hot heads be able to work together and take a bite out of organized crime?
Roddy Piper and Billy Blanks found new careers in making low budget direct-to-video-action-films. This was a few years before Mr. Blanjs struck gold with the Tai-Bo gimmick and no longer needed to play in these cheesy films. Another underrated action duo. Blanks and Piper made a very interesting team.
Recommended.
Roddy Piper and Billy Blanks found new careers in making low budget direct-to-video-action-films. This was a few years before Mr. Blanjs struck gold with the Tai-Bo gimmick and no longer needed to play in these cheesy films. Another underrated action duo. Blanks and Piper made a very interesting team.
Recommended.
Textbook early 90's action flick elevated by its two lead performers
Red-Barracuda21 February 2017
A detective whose partner is murdered by drug dealers teams up with an ex special-forces martial arts expert who also has a beef with these criminals, on account of them having abducted his sister.
Back in Action, the title says it all. There was a time in the mid 90's when I remember reading a newspaper report that said that there was a crisis in the b-movie world as a result of there being a dangerous shortage of generic action-themed titles left to use. Because of the plethora of action movies between the mid 80's to the mid 90's a huge number of these textbook titles that promised everything while suggesting nothing had been used up. And yeah, well, Back in Action is a pretty good example of one of those forgettable titles.
This is one of those two-strangers-who-don't- get-on-then-do-get-on films. So you pretty much know from an early point where this one is headed. It's another buddy film with lots of testosterone fuelled action. It's very generic overall and nothing really occurs that is particularly unexpected but what keeps it being watchable are the stars Rowdy Roddy Piper and Billy Blanks. Both these leads are proper action stars who do their actual fighting but equally importantly they have genuine charisma and work well bouncing off each other. This still can't prevent this one from being a pretty by-the-numbers effort but Piper and Blanks are definitely good value here for sure.
Back in Action, the title says it all. There was a time in the mid 90's when I remember reading a newspaper report that said that there was a crisis in the b-movie world as a result of there being a dangerous shortage of generic action-themed titles left to use. Because of the plethora of action movies between the mid 80's to the mid 90's a huge number of these textbook titles that promised everything while suggesting nothing had been used up. And yeah, well, Back in Action is a pretty good example of one of those forgettable titles.
This is one of those two-strangers-who-don't- get-on-then-do-get-on films. So you pretty much know from an early point where this one is headed. It's another buddy film with lots of testosterone fuelled action. It's very generic overall and nothing really occurs that is particularly unexpected but what keeps it being watchable are the stars Rowdy Roddy Piper and Billy Blanks. Both these leads are proper action stars who do their actual fighting but equally importantly they have genuine charisma and work well bouncing off each other. This still can't prevent this one from being a pretty by-the-numbers effort but Piper and Blanks are definitely good value here for sure.
Roddy and Billly are the new Wesley and Woody!
tarbosh2200028 September 2010
Warning: Spoilers
In 1958, Tony Curtis and Sidney Poitier starred in The Defiant Ones (later remade as Fled in 1996). A decade later, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis Jr. starred in Salt and Pepper (1968), the title of which pretty well spells out its intentions - in our overly-PC society we won't see its like any time soon. Then we saw Robert Culp and Bill Cosby team up for Hickey & Boggs (1972). But then "Black and White Action" reached its highest pinnacle to date in 1993 with the titans Billy Blanks and Roddy Piper in...BACK IN ACTION! Roddy Piper plays Frank Rossi, a cop on the edge on the mean streets of Toronto. He's trying to stop a crime syndicate run by the evil Kasajian (Nigel Bennett) and his ultra-sadistic henchman Charles "Chakka" Bender (Matt Birman). When the gang shoots Rossi's beloved partner Wallace (Barry Blake) during a graveyard shootout, and then Chakka savagely eviscerates Wallace in front of Rossi's eyes, Rossi vows revenge.
Meanwhile, ex-Special Forces soldier, and now cab driver Billy (Blanks, who must have a Tony Danza-like contract wherein he can only play characters named Billy) gets swept up in the mayhem when he attempts to protect his sister Tara (Kai Soremekun). Her boyfriend is in the Kasajian gang, and she witnessed plenty of murder, and now she's the gang's number one target.
It thus transpires that Rossi and Billy come together, initially with different goals, but now with the same one: eliminate the Kasajian gang. But will their incessant bickering do them in before the gang does? Back in Action delivers the goods. There is plenty of action and they sure don't skimp on the violence. The young-looking Piper is extremely charming, and has genuinely great comic timing and charisma. and this is easily Blanks' best performance. His karate moves are done with aplomb (and with a lot of growling and grunting). The filmmakers give the viewers a lot of what they want here - a REALLY evil villain that will elicit boos and hisses, constant action and violence, and a bit of nice camaraderie between the lead dudes.
What's weird is that this is the first Blanks/Piper vehicle, yet it is called BACK in action. Shouldn't the follow-up, Tough and Deadly (1995) be called Back in Action? What are they back from exactly? Anyway...
Bizarre antics ensue when two men, who can only be described as "The Karatio Brothers" invade Blanks' apartment. They seem to be twins with beefy physiques who wear striped spandex and seem like a meathead version of Mario and Luigi. Luckily Billy fights them, gratuitously (?) in his underwear. Another great (?) Blanks moment is when he runs in slow motion while screaming and shooting two machine guns. Compare that to self-indulgent dreck like Ticker (2001) where Steven Seagal simply walks down a hall and does nothing action-related. The villain Kasajian in some sort of trance, chanting "smoke is death" over and over again. And watch out for "The Giant"...
Piper's contract must include a 15-minute fight scene, which occurs during the prerequisite bar brawl. He gets to employ some of his wrestling moves such as a sleeper hold and a choke slam. Roddy and Billy should have been the "Wesley and Woody" that swept Hollywood in the mid-90s. Alas, it was not to be. Can you imagine these two in Money Train (1995)? For a fun, entertaining time, with a lot of high-quality technical elements like good camera-work, Back in Action is prime stuff.
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
Meanwhile, ex-Special Forces soldier, and now cab driver Billy (Blanks, who must have a Tony Danza-like contract wherein he can only play characters named Billy) gets swept up in the mayhem when he attempts to protect his sister Tara (Kai Soremekun). Her boyfriend is in the Kasajian gang, and she witnessed plenty of murder, and now she's the gang's number one target.
It thus transpires that Rossi and Billy come together, initially with different goals, but now with the same one: eliminate the Kasajian gang. But will their incessant bickering do them in before the gang does? Back in Action delivers the goods. There is plenty of action and they sure don't skimp on the violence. The young-looking Piper is extremely charming, and has genuinely great comic timing and charisma. and this is easily Blanks' best performance. His karate moves are done with aplomb (and with a lot of growling and grunting). The filmmakers give the viewers a lot of what they want here - a REALLY evil villain that will elicit boos and hisses, constant action and violence, and a bit of nice camaraderie between the lead dudes.
What's weird is that this is the first Blanks/Piper vehicle, yet it is called BACK in action. Shouldn't the follow-up, Tough and Deadly (1995) be called Back in Action? What are they back from exactly? Anyway...
Bizarre antics ensue when two men, who can only be described as "The Karatio Brothers" invade Blanks' apartment. They seem to be twins with beefy physiques who wear striped spandex and seem like a meathead version of Mario and Luigi. Luckily Billy fights them, gratuitously (?) in his underwear. Another great (?) Blanks moment is when he runs in slow motion while screaming and shooting two machine guns. Compare that to self-indulgent dreck like Ticker (2001) where Steven Seagal simply walks down a hall and does nothing action-related. The villain Kasajian in some sort of trance, chanting "smoke is death" over and over again. And watch out for "The Giant"...
Piper's contract must include a 15-minute fight scene, which occurs during the prerequisite bar brawl. He gets to employ some of his wrestling moves such as a sleeper hold and a choke slam. Roddy and Billy should have been the "Wesley and Woody" that swept Hollywood in the mid-90s. Alas, it was not to be. Can you imagine these two in Money Train (1995)? For a fun, entertaining time, with a lot of high-quality technical elements like good camera-work, Back in Action is prime stuff.
For more insanity, please visit: comeuppancereviews.com
Most action in a film ever?
Leofwine_draca16 October 2015
Action lovers are in for a treat with this low budget outing that features more action than in just about any film I can recall. This film is solely catered for those who enjoy watching shoot-outs, car chases, martial arts battles and stuff exploding, because it's absolutely chock full of all of those different elements. The plot itself is as thin as anything, doing little more than setting out the various elements of the movie: the good guys and their girlfriends, the bad guys and their henchmen.
The two heroes in this film have the kind of buddy-buddy partnership that involves them fighting each other for a bit before teaming up to battle the bad guys. The central pairing of Billy Blanks and Roddy Piper was a good one, the classic racial partnership of toughness and talk back. I like the way Blanks always looks like a psycho when he's kicking ass, even when he's a good guy, like here. With his muscles bulging through his jacket (he's ripped the sleeves off to look extra tough), he's the kind of guy you definitely wouldn't want to go up against. Piper has more comedy as the usual tough-guy-cop character and, although he's the worst actor in the film, he's oddly charismatic too.
The action comes thick and fast, as I mentioned, but I found the majority of it entertaining. Some of the choreography is quite poor, especially all those kicks to the face that Blanks performs that never go anywhere near the opponent. There are a couple of bloody shootings and a gory murder that opens the film, along with people being kneed, punched, kicked in the head and beaten up. Some scenes, like the one where Blanks beats the hell out of two guys in leotards and horrible snow tiger print pants, are the pinnacle of so-bad-it's-good filmmaking. I also noticed a lot of scenes ripped off from other films like RESERVOIR DOGS, DOUBLE IMPACT, and COBRA. The ending involves our heroes storming a ship and the editing goes crazy, just featuring a ton of random explosions and people running around shooting machine guns at each other. It's messy, cheap and cheesy, but there's not much to dislike here; I had a ball with it.
The two heroes in this film have the kind of buddy-buddy partnership that involves them fighting each other for a bit before teaming up to battle the bad guys. The central pairing of Billy Blanks and Roddy Piper was a good one, the classic racial partnership of toughness and talk back. I like the way Blanks always looks like a psycho when he's kicking ass, even when he's a good guy, like here. With his muscles bulging through his jacket (he's ripped the sleeves off to look extra tough), he's the kind of guy you definitely wouldn't want to go up against. Piper has more comedy as the usual tough-guy-cop character and, although he's the worst actor in the film, he's oddly charismatic too.
The action comes thick and fast, as I mentioned, but I found the majority of it entertaining. Some of the choreography is quite poor, especially all those kicks to the face that Blanks performs that never go anywhere near the opponent. There are a couple of bloody shootings and a gory murder that opens the film, along with people being kneed, punched, kicked in the head and beaten up. Some scenes, like the one where Blanks beats the hell out of two guys in leotards and horrible snow tiger print pants, are the pinnacle of so-bad-it's-good filmmaking. I also noticed a lot of scenes ripped off from other films like RESERVOIR DOGS, DOUBLE IMPACT, and COBRA. The ending involves our heroes storming a ship and the editing goes crazy, just featuring a ton of random explosions and people running around shooting machine guns at each other. It's messy, cheap and cheesy, but there's not much to dislike here; I had a ball with it.
very good original action
drt120 March 2002
A very good action film. What made this one original was the difference in fighting style between the 2 leads first lead: roddy piper, who does the wrestling style. Second lead, blank who does the martial arts style
It makes the fight scenes so cool, and original, especially the fight between piper and blank. The story, from what I can remember is good enough. It's not a brilliant story. But the story doesn't make or break the film. It's the real excellent fights that make this film. Obviously, this is not a film that girls would like. Girl tend not to appreciate a witty fight scene, girls would prefer it if the wit was in the story, which they won't get in this film. Hence this film wasn't rated higher (females gave it low ratings - see the statistics) But I am a man, so I loved this film :)
It makes the fight scenes so cool, and original, especially the fight between piper and blank. The story, from what I can remember is good enough. It's not a brilliant story. But the story doesn't make or break the film. It's the real excellent fights that make this film. Obviously, this is not a film that girls would like. Girl tend not to appreciate a witty fight scene, girls would prefer it if the wit was in the story, which they won't get in this film. Hence this film wasn't rated higher (females gave it low ratings - see the statistics) But I am a man, so I loved this film :)
Buddy B Movie
jamiegunnell15 March 2023
A vigilante trying to clean up the streets and save his sister from a life of crime, with a maverick cop not prepared to play by the rules. Banks, and Piper, provide a perfect buddy movie.
Their chemistry shows on screen, which is why they would re-united a few years later. The plot is not overly complicated, a simple drugs operation with a powerful overload, mean and incompetent head honchos, and inept muscle, perfect combination.
A good movie for one of those days when you are ill and need to spend the day on the sofa. It is raining outside but Banks and Piper bring a little sunshine to the day.
Their chemistry shows on screen, which is why they would re-united a few years later. The plot is not overly complicated, a simple drugs operation with a powerful overload, mean and incompetent head honchos, and inept muscle, perfect combination.
A good movie for one of those days when you are ill and need to spend the day on the sofa. It is raining outside but Banks and Piper bring a little sunshine to the day.
Good Chemistry Between Two Leads, Lots Of Action. A Definite Winner!
magilvilla29 February 2000
This is an excellent "B" movie. Blanks and Piper work really well together. The story is decent. But story doesn't count, action does. And there is more than enough action to keep people happy. Blanks and Piper are good in the numerous fight scenes. Overall a really good movie that any action fan should check out.
Billy Blanks will kick your head clean off!
DEPRESSEDcherry25 October 2019
Awesome 90's DTV B-movie Action Fun. Like Low-budget 48 Hrs In A Good Way.
lukem-5276020 March 2023
Back in Action is totally 90's, it's a product of it's wonderful time & with that we get Awesome 90's action with a dose of comedy & a sprinkle of soft cheese!!!
Back In Action comes accross like a low-budget 48Hrs & just as fun. I really enjoy these early 90's action martial arts flicks that are usually made in the mould of the buddy-cop genre with martial arts action & Back in Action doesn't disappoint. Billy Blanks is a fun low rent action star that has a thugged out hood voice similar to 50 Cent & comes across like a Wesley Snipes type & is alot of fun with his hulking ripped biceps & almost looks like a comic book character come to life.
Roddy Piper here is like shredded rage-filled Nick Nolte & adds to the films 48Hrs vibe. Piper was equally a fun low-budget action star of the early 90's & he worked well with Blanks. Piper & Blanks were both vhs era Direct-to-video action stars & it's a joy watching them together here & in Tough & Deadly.
There's a bunch of really fun video era gems from Blanks like Back in Action, Tough & Deadly, TC-2000, Talons of the Eagle, Expect No Mercy & Hidden Tiger.
The Action genre exploded with Video & stores like Blockbuster was full of B-list stars making names for themselves on video & mostly in the action thriller genres. Kick-ass Kung-fu & manic Martial Arts & Buddy-cop action was everywhere. I loved the video era, it was an exciting time to be a movie geek or buff or nerd or whatever lol. Everyone was getting teamed up to capture that magic that the Lethal Weapon & 48 Hrs films brought us & so here we had the incredible team up of Martial Arts Master: Billy Blanks & Professional Wrestler: Roddy Piper in the action-packed flick "Back in Action", but this was infact the first pairing in a film, the 2nd was the equally great "Tough & Deadly" so the "Back in Action" title i believe refers to Billy Blanks Character, an ex-soldier getting back in action when his sister gets mixed-up with a crime syndicate.
Billy Blanks was cool back in the 90's & made a bunch of fun DTV B-movies like Expect No Mercy, Tough & Deadly & TC2000 just to name a few & he's good here in his most brutal & ferocious. Blanks is an ex-soldier on the war path as a Vigilante out to kill off a local crime gang to save his sister.
Roddy Piper was awesome also back in the day with B-movie greats like They Live, Sci-Fighter & Jungleground, to name a few.
Piper is very cool & tough as a Cop tracking down the same criminals as Blanks & so eventually they team up together. The film is simply B-movie action fun & that's it.
There's lots of brutal fight scenes & shootouts & fun moments scattered throughout & Blanks & Piper are genuinely a likeable team.
Their 2nd flick TOUGH & DEADLY is just as Awesome!!! Piper & Blanks were pretty damn Awesome together, thank you to the 90's for giving us that wonderful team up & non-stop glorious buddy-cop action.
Pure 90's B-movie Fun entertainment. A little gem in my opinion.
Back In Action comes accross like a low-budget 48Hrs & just as fun. I really enjoy these early 90's action martial arts flicks that are usually made in the mould of the buddy-cop genre with martial arts action & Back in Action doesn't disappoint. Billy Blanks is a fun low rent action star that has a thugged out hood voice similar to 50 Cent & comes across like a Wesley Snipes type & is alot of fun with his hulking ripped biceps & almost looks like a comic book character come to life.
Roddy Piper here is like shredded rage-filled Nick Nolte & adds to the films 48Hrs vibe. Piper was equally a fun low-budget action star of the early 90's & he worked well with Blanks. Piper & Blanks were both vhs era Direct-to-video action stars & it's a joy watching them together here & in Tough & Deadly.
There's a bunch of really fun video era gems from Blanks like Back in Action, Tough & Deadly, TC-2000, Talons of the Eagle, Expect No Mercy & Hidden Tiger.
The Action genre exploded with Video & stores like Blockbuster was full of B-list stars making names for themselves on video & mostly in the action thriller genres. Kick-ass Kung-fu & manic Martial Arts & Buddy-cop action was everywhere. I loved the video era, it was an exciting time to be a movie geek or buff or nerd or whatever lol. Everyone was getting teamed up to capture that magic that the Lethal Weapon & 48 Hrs films brought us & so here we had the incredible team up of Martial Arts Master: Billy Blanks & Professional Wrestler: Roddy Piper in the action-packed flick "Back in Action", but this was infact the first pairing in a film, the 2nd was the equally great "Tough & Deadly" so the "Back in Action" title i believe refers to Billy Blanks Character, an ex-soldier getting back in action when his sister gets mixed-up with a crime syndicate.
Billy Blanks was cool back in the 90's & made a bunch of fun DTV B-movies like Expect No Mercy, Tough & Deadly & TC2000 just to name a few & he's good here in his most brutal & ferocious. Blanks is an ex-soldier on the war path as a Vigilante out to kill off a local crime gang to save his sister.
Roddy Piper was awesome also back in the day with B-movie greats like They Live, Sci-Fighter & Jungleground, to name a few.
Piper is very cool & tough as a Cop tracking down the same criminals as Blanks & so eventually they team up together. The film is simply B-movie action fun & that's it.
There's lots of brutal fight scenes & shootouts & fun moments scattered throughout & Blanks & Piper are genuinely a likeable team.
Their 2nd flick TOUGH & DEADLY is just as Awesome!!! Piper & Blanks were pretty damn Awesome together, thank you to the 90's for giving us that wonderful team up & non-stop glorious buddy-cop action.
Pure 90's B-movie Fun entertainment. A little gem in my opinion.
Old School Action
refinedsugar12 September 2023
The first of two b-movie actioners Billy Blanks & Roddy Piper did together in the 90's, 'Back In Action' is a solid ride. Good fight scenes, tons of bullet play, car chases, stuff blowing up in the standard story affair about cops, the mob, drugs & kidnapping people.
Det. Rossi (Roddy Piper) is part of an undercover drug buy that goes bad while Billy (Billy Blanks) an ex-special forces cab driver tries to rescue his sister who's involved with one of the dealers. The hard nosed cop wants to bring down these men after they escape and ultimately their boss Kasajian (Canadian actor Nigel Bennett). While Billy has to continually come to his sisters aid (whenever she wants it or not) and the two men unofficially team up.
There's a fun dynamic going on here with Billy being the clean, sharp martial artist and Piper being a straight up bruiser who delivers a satisfying wrestling move or two during the flick. They don't see eye to eye at first and there's this reoccurring gag of Blanks kicking the gun outta Rowdy's hand.
'Back in Action' had a box cover back in the VHS dtv days that made me steer clear of it. Now in hindsight, I don't know why I did. It's obviously not of a high budget or housing a fresh story, but the action going down on the streets, alleys, piers of Toronto is fun. A solid b-movie.
Det. Rossi (Roddy Piper) is part of an undercover drug buy that goes bad while Billy (Billy Blanks) an ex-special forces cab driver tries to rescue his sister who's involved with one of the dealers. The hard nosed cop wants to bring down these men after they escape and ultimately their boss Kasajian (Canadian actor Nigel Bennett). While Billy has to continually come to his sisters aid (whenever she wants it or not) and the two men unofficially team up.
There's a fun dynamic going on here with Billy being the clean, sharp martial artist and Piper being a straight up bruiser who delivers a satisfying wrestling move or two during the flick. They don't see eye to eye at first and there's this reoccurring gag of Blanks kicking the gun outta Rowdy's hand.
'Back in Action' had a box cover back in the VHS dtv days that made me steer clear of it. Now in hindsight, I don't know why I did. It's obviously not of a high budget or housing a fresh story, but the action going down on the streets, alleys, piers of Toronto is fun. A solid b-movie.
Action Delirium
monkeysgalore27 April 2020
Whoa. I wonder if it's possible for an action movie to have too much action. If any film comes close, it's Back in Action. This is a trashy B action flick from 1993 that's about the most fun you can have with a direct-to-video movie. It's on the level of Drive (1997) and Rage (1995) in terms of direct-to-video gems, and is a seriously solid action movie.
Billy Blanks and Roddy Piper make for a great team, with Blanks' stoic intensity and persona complimenting Roddy's insanity. Roddy is as OTT as ever, and it almost comes close to a Nic Cage performance. Blanks, while nowhere close to even sniffing any acting awards, makes up for his lack of acting ability with some cool martial arts. He is to Wesley Snipes as Scott Adkins is to Jason Statham. He was the Wesley Snipes of the DTV market, but unlike Snipes, he isn't afraid to actually do a lot of fight scenes. Blanks has good fight scenes, and the dude looks almost psychotic when he's killing people. Piper has a lot of good action scenes too, and boy does he get beaten up in this one. He takes some of the most brutal punishment of his film career here, suffering beatings he hasn't seen the likes of since the alley scene in They Live (1988).
The action is relentless, and though it slows down a bit at the start of the third act, there is quite an abundance of action scenes here. The makers of this film know what we want, and doesn't worry about silly little things like plot and pacing. I counted eleven or twelve action sequences. There are 7-8 fight scenes, 3 shootouts, and a car chase. None of it seems cheap or low budget, and there are some cool explosions. Piper and Blanks both have great fight scenes, and they really give 100%. The fight between Blanks an Piper was very entertaining. The action is brutal and bloody, and this probably the most bloody DTV movie I've seen since Silent Trigger (1996).
I highly recommend this to action fans. It's full of action, while still managing to have a mostly coherent story (even if some things just happen for no reason), and it's definitely worth a look.
Billy Blanks and Roddy Piper make for a great team, with Blanks' stoic intensity and persona complimenting Roddy's insanity. Roddy is as OTT as ever, and it almost comes close to a Nic Cage performance. Blanks, while nowhere close to even sniffing any acting awards, makes up for his lack of acting ability with some cool martial arts. He is to Wesley Snipes as Scott Adkins is to Jason Statham. He was the Wesley Snipes of the DTV market, but unlike Snipes, he isn't afraid to actually do a lot of fight scenes. Blanks has good fight scenes, and the dude looks almost psychotic when he's killing people. Piper has a lot of good action scenes too, and boy does he get beaten up in this one. He takes some of the most brutal punishment of his film career here, suffering beatings he hasn't seen the likes of since the alley scene in They Live (1988).
The action is relentless, and though it slows down a bit at the start of the third act, there is quite an abundance of action scenes here. The makers of this film know what we want, and doesn't worry about silly little things like plot and pacing. I counted eleven or twelve action sequences. There are 7-8 fight scenes, 3 shootouts, and a car chase. None of it seems cheap or low budget, and there are some cool explosions. Piper and Blanks both have great fight scenes, and they really give 100%. The fight between Blanks an Piper was very entertaining. The action is brutal and bloody, and this probably the most bloody DTV movie I've seen since Silent Trigger (1996).
I highly recommend this to action fans. It's full of action, while still managing to have a mostly coherent story (even if some things just happen for no reason), and it's definitely worth a look.
Dope
Bobbysoxxx27 September 2021
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