Average martial arts saga teaming two of the genre's superstars, Cynthia Rothrock and Richard Norton, as unlikely partners taking on a criminal enterprise. She's Kris Fairchild, a teacher at an inner city school who moonlights as a martial arts instructor; he's Preston Michaels, an Australian detective with a second job as a bodyguard for rock bands. They're united after he's implicated in the shooting of a crooked detective, which was caught on video by Paris Armstrong (Patrick Malone), one of Kris's students. The masterminds are the reclusive Conrad Drago ("Cobra" villain Brian Thompson, sporting a hilarious head of hair) and his evil associate Rita Carrion (luscious flame haired vixen Terri Treas). The story is, not surprisingly, nothing special, although there's one major plot twist regarding Kris's connection to Drago, which she reveals in her big emoting scene. Suffice it to say, she makes a much better ass kicker than an actress, but she and the quietly engaging Norton do share some chemistry. The real entertainment lies with the oddball supporting characters "Hannah the Hun" (sexy Alex Datcher), a lowlife criminal who loves to refer to herself in the third person, and the endearing "Baby" (!) (Stephen Davies), a broker turned bum. Malone is likewise amiable as the ambitious Paris, itching to make a star out of his teacher and go along for the ride. In fact, there's a bit of a theme here about characters becoming "TV stars", no matter how unwillingly. Writer / director Terence H. Winkless (who'd also worked with Treas and Davies on the killer roach flick "The Nest") keeps things moving along well enough, and all requisite fight scenes are effectively staged. The movie does have a sense of humour, as well, especially in a scene where Kris and Preston are trying to con their way past a bouncer. Now, Thompson and Daisy Duke herself, the always delectable Catherine Bach, are rather under utilized, particularly Bach, but the movie is still reasonably entertaining with some good moments and touches such as the bevy of bruiser babes known as the "Huns". Some effective bursts of harsh violence help to make this a decent diversion, although the ending is really not too satisfying; in fact, it's rather silly. But overall "Rage and Honor" is watchable B grade action fare. Six out of 10.
Review of Rage and Honor
