Truly Dreadful Film

A lot more amusing than I thought it would be.

To all those who have watched it: I hope you enjoyed it as much as I do.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER 2 is unconnected to the original movie, other than having the same director in Corey Yuen. Instead this one's an open rip-off of RAMBO: FIRST BLOOD PART II, featuring a group of people heading to south-east Asia and battling some Vietcong as well as Russian military types. Really, that's all there is to the plot line: it's a lightweight movie with plenty of comedy in the scripting and plenty of action to keep things moving along. Once again, the best thing about the film is the participation of Corey Yuen who delivers some outstanding action sequences that make the movie probably better than it has any right to be.The story is extremely limited and the script what you'd expect from a cheesy '80s genre flick, although this isn't quite as dated in the fashion stakes – only the clothing looks its age here. This one takes a long time to get going, but Yuen carefully paces his action so there's always something going on to keep you entertained. I was disappointed when I learned Kurt McKinney and especially Van Damme didn't return for this film, but when I saw the new cast I realised it was actually better. Loren Avedon is another youthful hero but he's a fantastic fighter, very flexible and agile and everything he does impresses. Here he's cast alongside Max Thayer who plays a comic relief character and who reminded me a lot of Philip Seymour Hoffman. Thayer doesn't fight and is frequently doubled, but he is good value for money and gives the movie's best performance. The third name in the cast delighted me: Cynthia Rothrock. This film was made when Rothrock was in her physical prime. She doesn't take part in that many fights but those she does appear in are simply great.The bad guys are headed by Matthias Hues, a hulking German actor who looks like he could tear you limb from limb without breaking a sweat. Okay, so his acting is pretty cheesy, but he's an indomitable presence in the action stakes and even more imposing than Van Damme in the first movie. I was also pleased to spot Hwang Jang Lee in the cast, an actor famous from many period kung fu films, although sadly he only takes part in one fight scene (although it's a good one!). The final reel goes overboard on the pyrotechnics, with all sorts of things blowing up spectacularly for no apparent reason, but the main action fun comes from the fighting. Obviously, the final extended battle between Avedon and Hues marks the film's peak, but the showdown between Rothrock and Lee is also decent, along with all the other bits and bobs thrown in. The movie makes good use of an alligator pit and features a hilarious fate for the villainous Hues. All in all, NO RETREAT, NO SURRENDER 2 is good '80s fun, not quite as good as Yuen's best movies made in Hong Kong, but coming close at times.

this sequel is as sequel in name only.it has nothing to do with the first movie.none of the characters are the same.the title really has nothing to do with the movie,either,as far as i can tell.plus,this is one boring movie.i did manage to watch ti all the way through to the end,hoping it would get better,but it didn't.it has one decent fight scene during the last five or ten minutes of the film,but that's about it.it's not the most boring movie i've ever seen.there's about a handful that are worse on that score,but i wouldn't care if i never saw it again. at least the acting was actually not that bad.i was expecting it to be worse.still,it didn't elevate the movie.for me,No Retreat, No Surrender 2: Raging Thunder is a 4/10

Another Ng See Yuen produced Seasonal production (his production company) that puts a Western cast in basically a Hong Kong style action film. Its low budget attempts an epic quite successfully. Loren Avedon stars as an American in trouble in Thailand eventually waging a small war against some Russians to get his girlfriend back. Loren Avedons first starring role. He performs all the martial arts really well and these Seasonal films have given him a cult following around the world. Review after review will tell you this guy is a great performer. His acting is likable but his martial arts is among the best on screen from a westerner. Like all the other reviews I believe its a shame he never went to Hong Kong to make films but at least people continue to give him credit. One of the best screen fighters I have seen.Cynthia Rothrock gets in the story as a cocky chopper pilot and has some great martial arts scenes of her own. She did go to Hong Kong and made some pictures there. Yes Madam is a classic film that was also directed by Corey Yuen.Matthias Hughes stars as the Bad-ass Russian who apparently learned to fight for the screen during the films production. They kept his choreography to late in the shoot and I couldn't tell this was a first for him. It really is quite good. Having the end fight scene against Loren Avedon is enough of a physical spectacle. Hughes went on to appear in Hollywood films.The other supporting player is Max Thayer a wheeling dealing Viet Nam vet. He ads some actual acting to the mix and performs some action of his own. I don't think he is a martial artist but they give him some moments to perform less demanding violence like burning faces with his cigar or throwing snakes! He also drinks snake blood which is shot in a single tracking shot from the snakes drained gizards to it being drunk out of a shot glass.Its a cool picture in the greatest Hong Kong/American crossover series ever made. Its complete trash and enjoyable all the way. I don't know how these cheap films get away with their comedy but all three films in the series have some great goofy moments. They have tried to pack quite a lot into this film for the budget.The films director, martial arts choreographer is Corey Yuen and the action scenes are pretty top- notch. There is a high impact quality to all the blows. Lots of flips and spirals to the ground. Very much in the Hong Kong style, the set pieces are quite creative. Not over edited. The choreography is really enjoyable to watch with multiple attackers at times. I think the evening fight at the open air market/eatery is the best. There could have been a little more fighting in the film but what there is doesn't disappoint. The transfer I have isn't the best print and the audio was probably never great on this picture but if you are familiar with this genre, like chop-socky films from Hong Kong and American kick-boxing strait to video titles it's going to be up your ally. The production is fascinating. Such a multicultural cast and crew on a limited budget. The cheesiest story and most blatant use of Russian bad guys except for the first film topped off with expert martial arts choreography.I think these Seasonal pictures, produced by Ng See Yuen are great. They are rough and cheap but they deliver the goods.

I just got the the NRNS trilogy today and watched "NRNS2". (I really only was looking to get the original because I collect van damme movies and of course it is his first action movie. But I was lucky enough to get the other 2 for free with it). I just wanted to write the IMDb fans of kung-fu and action flicks that that this was a decent low budget movie that gave me that feeling I haven't had in a while. that feeling of being a kid again and I wish I did see this one when I was a kid because it would of affected me even more. I felt like I had seen it before when I was watching it and was loving the low budget, bad acting you would expect from the time. this is a hidden classic for me now and im glad i watched it and now own it. all you need to know about nrns 1 and 2 is.............the fight scenes are wicked (even for today standards) speeding up the camera seems to be the staple of these movies (but it does make the action look hella good). And thats it....good 80's nostalgia representing and now I cant wait to see number 3 (blood brothers)