Ring of Fire II: Blood and Steel (1992)

The action packed RING OF FIRE featured a nice mix of martial arts mayhem and a Romeo and Juliet-themed storyline. However, for the second installment of the series, it all ends up being a standard rescue mission with an interesting twist that was most influenced by the cult classic THE WARRIORS (1979).

Picking up nearly a year after the first film’s climatic events, Dr. Johnny Wu (Don “The Dragon” Wilson) has taken his girlfriend Julie Armstrong (Maria Ford, this time sporting dark red hair) to a jewelry store, where he is getting her an engagement ring. However, when a band of robbers enter the store, Johnny does his best to fight them off. In the melee, Julie is shot in the shoulder and one of the robbers is seriously injured. Johnny takes Julie to the hospital.

While Julie is in recovery, Johnny assures her brother Brad (Dale Jacoby), Chuck (Vince Murdocco), Kwong (Eric Lee), and Li (Ron Yuan) that Julie will be okay. However, Johnny runs into the robbers again. It turns out the injured robber is the brother of gang leader Kalin (Ian Jacklin). When Johnny tries to prevent Kalin from taking his brother out of the hospital, gunfire ensues and Johnny accidentally turns the gun on Kalin’s brother. Kalin is arrested but vows revenge.

With the help of number one henchman Predator (Evan Lurie), Kalin escapes en route to the police station and decides to kidnap Julie to lure Johnny into his trap. When Johnny learns that Julie is kidnapped, he learns that Julie has been taken into the Underground, a seedy area under Los Angeles where gangs rule and police are not wanted. It becomes the perfect setup as Johnny faces off against various gangs who rule certain areas of the Underground. With the help of former war veteran Ernest (Sy Richardson), Johnny will do anything it takes to get Julie back, even compete in Kalin’s caged arena.

For those who have seen the original RING OF FIRE (1991) starring kickboxing champion turned B-movie star Don “The Dragon” Wilson got a taste of what is considered a really good story filled martial arts action film. Sadly, the same cannot be said for this sequel, which pretty much rips off elements of THE WARRIORS and the basic kidnapped/rescue mission theme.

A redeeming factor in terms of characterization is that most of the principal characters from the original film return. Wilson returns as Dr. Johnny Wu and Maria Ford returns as Julie. They were the star-crossed lovers of the original film. Surprisingly, the original film’s antagonists, Brad and Chuck, respectively played by Dale Jacoby and Vince Murdocco return as well. However, they have reformed since the last film and have become friends with Johnny, accepting the relationship. Along with Eric Lee and Ron Yuan returning as Asian gang members Kwong and Li and Michael DeLano in a cameo as the detective from the original, it helps that they all return in a more heroic manner.

Veteran martial arts actors Ian Jacklin (KICKBOXER 3: THE ART OF WAR) and Evan Lurie (AMERICAN KICKBOXER 2) play the film’s antagonists this time around. They are part of the biggest gang in the Underground, which looks like a post-apocalyptic alleyway that leads to the arena, where Jacklin’s Kalin holds underground fights for the criminal element of the underground.

The Underground consists of many gangs, all of whom represent a gauntlet that must be beaten in order to get to Kalin. While Wilson delivers the action solo, to bring more action to the film, the combination of Jacoby, Murdocco, Lee, and Yuan head in as well in order to try to find both Johnny and Julie. Some of these gangs include the Hockey Gang, Nightrats, Avengers, Bad Girls, and the Shadow Warriors.

The fight sequences, handled by Art Camacho and Paul Maslak, are well done as they are reminiscent of the first film. The only fight sequence that doesn’t hold up too well is the fight between Johnny and the Shadow Warriors, who resort to using flashlights in the dark to trick him. It is because this fight scene was mainly shot in the dark that it’s not viewable enough, therefore not enjoyable.

While the first film was a pretty good movie, RING OF FIRE II: BLOOD AND STEEL, suffers from a clichéd plot, elements blatantly ripped off from THE WARRIORS, and a fight scene that is barely visible. Nevertheless, there are far worse sequels “The Dragon” has done.

Related Topics: damsel in distress, Don "The Dragon" Wilson, reformation, revenge, Ring of Fire II, underground