This week’s throwback VHS gem comes courtesy of long-time Patreon supporter Gareth—who clearly knows his way around a good roundhouse kick. Gareth has chosen China O’Brien 2 (1990), the Cynthia Rothrock martial arts sequel that kicks just as hard as the first. With small-town justice, explosive action, and some delightfully dated hairdos, this one’s a real time capsule of straight to video action cinema.
China O'Brien 2 was filmed back-to-back with the original film in 1988, though it wasn’t released until 1990. Like its predecessor, it was produced by Golden Harvest, the Hong Kong studio famous for bringing Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to global audiences. The movie was once again helmed by Robert Clouse, best known for directing Enter the Dragon, and featured the same lead trio, Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton, and Keith Cooke, reprising their roles. This continuity gave the sequel a consistent tone and feel, even if it lacked the novelty of the first installment.
Rothrock, already a martial arts icon by this point, was one of the few female action stars headlining films in the video rental boom era. Though the sequel received minimal theatrical attention, it found its true home on VHS shelves around the world. It built a cult following among action fans who appreciated the straightforward storytelling, bone-crunching fights, and Rothrock’s no-nonsense screen presence. While not revolutionary, China O’Brien 2 holds a special place as a symbol of the era's scrappy, low-budget action enthusiasm.
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Trailer Guy Plot Summary
In a town where justice wears a sheriff's badge and fights with her fists, China O'Brien thought the worst was behind her. But when an old enemy breaks out of prison and comes gunning for revenge, she’ll need more than martial arts to keep the peace. With allies by her side and danger around every dusty corner, she’ll deliver justice, one flying kick at a time. This summer… vengeance has a new opponent… China O’Brien 2.
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