10 Excellent Direct-to-Video Action Films from the 1990s

      Casey Chong showcases a selection of outstanding direct-to-video action films from the 1990s…

      Before the rise of PVOD/VOD and streaming services, the 1990s proved to be a highly profitable era where direct-to-video films dominated the VHS and home video rental markets. These films spanned various genres, including horror, sci-fi, softcore erotic thrillers, and, notably, action. Actors like Don “The Dragon” Wilson, Gary Daniels, Cynthia Rothrock, and Jeff Wincott became prominent figures in many of these entertaining action films, even without the backing of major studio budgets. Below is our curated list of ten of the finest direct-to-video action movies from the 1990s…

      **Showdown in Little Tokyo (1991)**

      Although originally released in theaters, Showdown in Little Tokyo had a short limited run before Warner Bros. quickly transitioned it to home video. What started as a box-office failure transformed into an unexpected success on VHS rental. While the film is somewhat brief for an action movie at just 79 minutes, it benefits from a lean and direct pace, prioritizing high body counts, martial arts action sequences, and plenty of clever dialogue. This is particularly evident in the dynamic buddy-cop relationship between Dolph Lundgren and Brandon Lee, which interestingly subverts expectations with role reversals. Lundgren’s Chris Kenner is an American police officer with Japanese upbringing, fluent in the language and culture, while Lee’s Johnny Murata is a Japanese-American character who is more Westernized and less connected to his roots. The film also features a memorable villain portrayed by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa as the violent Yakuza leader, Yoshida.

      **Martial Law 2: Undercover (1992)**

      This sequel greatly surpasses its predecessor, 1990's Martial Law, as director Kurt Anderson made the wise decision to replace Chad McQueen with Jeff Wincott. While both actors have martial arts backgrounds, Wincott's dynamic athleticism and black-belt Taekwondo skills allow him to execute acrobatic stunts more effectively than McQueen’s rigid performance. Additionally, this installment elevates Cynthia Rothrock from a supporting role to a co-lead, enhancing the action sequences through her partnership with Wincott. Anderson's direction shines in his first film, delivering an impressive array of martial arts fights, including Wincott’s skilled weapon use with batons against assailants in the dojo. Anderson and Wincott would collaborate again on three more action films: Mission of Justice, Martial Outlaw, and Open Fire.

      **Mission of Justice (1992)**

      Also known as Martial Law 3, Mission of Justice doesn't connect directly to the previous films, aside from being a sequel in name only. Here, Jeff Wincott portrays a different character, Kurt Harris, a cop who quits the force to go undercover among the “Peacemakers,” under the dubious leadership of mayoral hopeful Rachel Larkin (Brigitte Nielsen, whose imposing demeanor lends a menacing quality to her character). The film, running at a brisk 91 minutes, features impressive action sequences crafted by Steve Barnett and stunt coordinator Jeff Pruitt, highlighting Wincott's martial arts abilities and engaging presence. Memorable moments include Harris's grueling fight against armed martial artists, the chop shop brawl, and an intense showdown with the formidable Titus, played by Matthias Hues. Like its predecessor, Mission of Justice showcases Wincott using batons to defeat his enemies.

      **Out for Blood (1992)**

      What happens when Death Wish is transformed into a martial arts action thriller? Directed with unyielding B-movie energy by Richard W. Munchkin (Ring of Fire and Deadly Bet), Out for Blood features Don “The Dragon” Wilson as John Decker, a criminal defense lawyer who becomes a vigilante. Wilson's martial arts expertise showcases his prowess in hand-to-hand combat and high-kicking action. While produced under the PM Entertainment Group, known for their vehicular chases, Out for Blood opts for raw fight scenes instead. The film still includes some intense stunts, culminating in a brutal one-on-one battle at an airstrip and a gripping scene where John clings to a runaway propeller plane's wing, ending with an obligatory, spectacular PM-style explosion.

      **Viper, a.k.a Bad Blood (1994)**

      Director Tibor Takács incorporates dynamic Hong Kong-style choreography into Viper, enhancing its martial arts and action scenes in a way that belies its modest $2 million budget. Lorenzo Lamas stars as the tough-guy Travis Blackstone, an expert in self-defense and weaponry. He has appeared in numerous action films, but this performance stands out, featuring varied and cinematic fight scenes, including a memorable moment where he vaults over the roof of a speeding car while firing his weapon. Takács stages