Psycho Kickboxer or The Room meets 80's Kung-Fu

5 of 5 viewers "Liked" "Psycho Kickboxer: The Dark Angel" (USA, 1995)

Here's what the citizens of the Overlook Theatre had to say:

B4DK - "Kick boxing kung-fu comedy. The punching and kicking sound effects must have been ripped from the pit fighter video game. Gore scenes were very impressive. Rad!" - 3.5 Stars

Math Mage - "It's The Room + 80's Kung-Fu." - 3 Stars

Lord Battle - "Psycho Kickboxer is that film you purchase hopping whats depicted on the cover actually happens. *Spoiler* it doesn't, but this films got enough absurdity to justify making your friends sit through it." - 4 Stars

Huntress - "Gory and ridiculous at times, Psycho Kickboxer is the kind of movie you can enjoy with drunks or just a group of friends. The acting may have been lacking, but the film makers definitely put their budget to good use when it came to effects." - 4 Stars

Kabuki Senpai - "I would re-watch this movie once a day for a year straight. The gore effects were amazing." - 5 Stars

The Overlook Theatre Final Rating*

I'd like to start by saying Psycho Kickboxer has one of the coolest dvd menu animations I've ever seen. Featuring the awesome art on the cover in action, throwing stars reveal our menu buttons. As far as the film is concerned Math Mage was correct to compare it to The Room, awkward editing, cringe worthy dialog, and a sex scene so reminiscent of The Room that Tommy Wiseau may be paying butt homage to Curtis Bush. Curtis Bush is the 5 time (5 time... 5 time...) world kickboxing champion that the movie packaging reminds you of repeatedly, who also appeared in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I & II, Major Payne, and 2014's Godzilla. Curtis doesn't really have the face of a leading man and is pretty awkward delivering lines but he is unquestionably an amazing fighter, with better editing his combat skills could have looked more impressive than funny, but funny is good too. The only time Curtis looks outright dumb is when he starts wearing his ninja costume, it's almost like he becomes completely clueless and uncomfortable.

(DvD insert form the double feature release)

There are some amazing scenes that showcase 1-take fight sequences, that actually look good. The thing that I love most about these moments are how truly indie they are, complete with cars driving by and people going about their daily lives. Normally these things just remind you how little money was available and take you out of the film. But Psycho Kickboxer features so many little moments of the Dark Angel breaking up Spider-Man-esque robberies, that the non-actors ignoring the production in the background actually add to how "everyday" these evil goin-ons feel. Then sprinkle in some good gore moments, bone breaking moves that sounds like a wood bat hitting a baseball, and a neon 80's climax scene and you have a film every B-movie enthusiast should own.

- Lord Battle

*Based on the star ratings turned in by character reviewers, others viewed and got to "Dislike" or "Like" but that does not effect the rating.