Get in the zone

Drop (kick) it like it's hot

It's been a long time since I've gotten my gritty martial arts fix since The Raid 2 way back in 2014 (has it really been two years already?), and while Ip Man 3 provided a nice nostalgic dose of the classic kung-fu roots, it didn't quite scratch my itch for the stunt-crazy action Asian flicks I had grown accustomed to during the 90s. Out of nowhere I come across Kill Zone 2, a sequel to a a film nobody has heard of mainly due to it originally being called Saat po long from its' native country (like the sequel, the title was changed to Kill Zone when it was brought to the U.S.); having said that, viewing the first film won't be necessary to understand what's going on. This sequel follows the rules of Asian action flicks 101 to a tee: it has no direct connection to the previous entry (it's a sequel only in name), it consists of a different cast of

characters, and the story takes a back seat to showcase what we really want to see: the fighting. I could explain what the plot is about but chances are that like me, you're not really going to care that much afterwards (a quick look on IMDB.com on the film's synopsis pretty much sums it up). Instead, I'll just get straight to the point: Kill Zone 2 is just as what you'd expect and will satisfy your craving for gritty martial-arts action. The action is crazy, the stunts are awesome and the fighting choreography is tight. Another thing I want to point out is that this also happens to be Tony Jaa's best film yet after disappearing from the movie business coming off his disastrous last two entries in the Ong-Bak trilogy; a welcome return for this once promising action star. Kill Zone 2 is unapologetic with its' plot holes but what it lacks in story coherence it gladly makes up for in impressive thrills and swift kicks to the face, and is definitely worth a look.

-Reviewed by Razor, 5/16/16