Flix with Kicks: Tiger Claws (1991)

A random bit of chance has led me down a strange Film journey.  Today's Film is Tiger Claws, a 1991 Kung-Fu/Action Film featuring Cynthia Rothrock.  The boring backstory first: I found a copy of a Tiger Claws II at Thrift Store and discovered this trilogy.  Here's hoping this all pays off.  The original Film is about a Kung-Fu-based Serial Killer in New York City.  Ah, that old chestnut!  It turns out that he's a Master of a rare form of Kung-Fu.  It sure is a good thing that a Cop IN THIS SAME DEPARTMENT is also trained in it.  The coincidences/contrivances keep stacking up in this one!  Curiously, this would be the entry-level Film for its Director- Kelly Makin- before she would move on to direct...Kids in the Hall: Brain Candy?!?  I didn't see that coming!  There's plenty more strangeness to unpack, so let's kick right into this...

Rothrock is an ass-kicking Cop.  She beats up the world's worst stalker (it was broad daylight and she clearly saw him following her for blocks!).

Can she get a real case?

Jalal Merhi is Tarek, a tough Cop who doesn't 'play by the rules' and other '90s Cop Cliches.
He gets in trouble for 'going too far,' but that won't last.

A killer is taking out Professional Martial Artists in NYC (one not shown, because reasons).  Who could do that and leave these claw marks?

Wait- is Catwoman back?!?

Rothrock forces her way onto the case since she knows Kung-Fu.  They figure out that it must be Tiger Claw Style Kung Fu with Tarek's help, so he's on the case.

He uses his past- conveniently, he was trained in Tiger Claw by a friend of the current guy they need to teach him it more fully- to train, but also observe who could be the main suspect.

If you're wondering why it has to be him and not Rothrock, well, he's a Producer and she isn't.

After lots of training, some action distractions and filler, the obvious bad guy- Bolo Yeung- reveals himself to kill the Master and his other students.

He did a good crazy face, I won't lie!

Sadly, we only get teases of a fight (or fights) between Rothrock and Yeung.  He was probably still more disappointed that he never fought Bruce Lee though.

No, the main fight is, of course, between Tarek and the villain.  The former is handicapped by being handcuffed at the start, leading to him getting kicked through a wall.

He overcomes this (and his magically-disappearing jacket) to break free and defeat Yeung.

He doesn't kill him, since Sequel (in five years).

A pretty silly, if self-serious Film.  The Plot isn't bad.  The idea that a trained killer is taking out unlikely targets is good.  The problems sort of pile up as the Film goes on though.  As mentioned, the MASSIVE coincidences that drive the Plot.  If Tarek isn't around, is there a Film?  As much as I've seen people point out what they think is a Plot Hole in the first Indiana Jones (I disagree, FYI), there's no topping how much the story needs him to even remotely work.  On top of that, Yeung's motivation is...um, to make people realize how good Tiger Claw is.  He doesn't really say it, but it's stated for him.  That's a logical way to do it- kill a bunch of people.  Granted- he is crazy, but still!  I like the bits we get where Rothrock gets to show off, but there's not enough.  Jalal is fine, but nothing amazing to watch.  I wanted a more balanced story here.  The Film does work as a nice bit of nostalgia, as you can see '90s New York City in all of its glory.  All in all, it's a pretty dumb Film that is just silly enough to be fun and just serious enough to enjoy.  It takes brains and brawn to do that, right Bolo?

Next time, the Sequel (and the reason I'm doing this).  Will it be more of the same or something bigger?  Stay tuned...