Kickboxer 2 Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.0
Video		4.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.5
Overall		2.0

Kickboxer 2 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman September 21, 2026

Kickboxer 2 asks two perhaps irrelevant if still salient and interrelated questions: when is a Jean-Claude Van Damme film not a Jean-Claude Van Damme film, and when is The Brady Bunch not The Brady Bunch? This film itself answers that first joking query since it is literally a sequel in name only to Kickboxer as Van Damme is nowhere to be seen, having run off to greener supposed superstardom pastures (or wherever kickboxers go). That answer then delivers the next in that new star Sasha Mitchell is probably best remembered not for this franchise but for his portrayal of the somewhat boneheaded character Cody in Step By Step, a sitcom which was in all but name an updated Brady Bunch (perhaps remarkably one which ran longer than the Sherwood Schwartz show, and try saying that three times quickly). Some of the foregoing joking is dealt with in passing in the appealing commentary track on this disc by Mike Leeder, here paired not with Arne Venema but instead with Russell Wait, and in fact it may be arguable that some of this "backstage" context is at least as interesting as the film itself.

As the commentary also addresses, a heretofore unknown Sloane brother, David (Sasha Mitchell), takes over as the focal character here, and perhaps even more surprising (or not, considering Van Damme's then rapid rise to stardom and necessary casting decisions) both of the Sloanes seen in the original movie have been killed. With the "franchise" then pretty much reinvented from the get go, the story moves on to document various trials and tribulations David suffers, some of which spring directly from the return of arch villain Po (Michel Qissi, evidently not on the fast track to stardom and therefore available to return). The film works overtime to make David extremely sympathetic, including a whole subplot involving disadvantaged kids, but the writing is often ham handed at best. Another supporting character (and actor portraying him) from the first film, Xian Chow (Dennis Chan), is back as a veritable Mr. Miyagi training David to overcome his obstacles. Peter Boyle gets to chew the scenery as an uncouth fight promoter. Arguably the most compelling thing about the film is some very effectively shot and edited fight sequences, with a number of memorable quick cuts involving fists coming straight at the camera and/or faces reacting to those punches.

Kickboxer 2 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Kickboxer 2 is presented on Blu-ray courtesy of Lionsgate Films' Lionsgate Limited etailer, and with the additional imprint of Vestron Video Collector's Series, with and AVC encoded 1080p transfer in 1.85:1. As tends to be the case with the Vestron Video line in particular, there's no real technical information imparted on the packaging other than a generic "digitally restored". This is an intermittently quite effective looking transfer, especially in more brightly lit moments where the palette has a bit more energy than in some interior scenes, and where detail levels are also typically commendable. The timing struck me as just slightly peach hued at times, but some of the cooler blue tinged fighting scenes in particular are very effectively lit and shot. Some of the best fine detail levels are in fact offered in the many "up close and personal" shots of fighters grimacing at the camera in extreme close-up. Grain can occasionally spike in some of the more dimly lit moments, but overall resolves without any issues. There are some very minor signs of age related wear and tear, as in the miniscule white fleck you can see on Peter Boyle's eyebrow in the second screenshot I've uploaded to accompany this review.

Kickboxer 2 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Kickboxer 2 features a serviceable LPCM 2.0 track that delivers some of the admittedly impressive fight sound effects with appropriate force and (again, literal) impact. The sound design is nonetheless not overly developed in terms of sweeping effects, though many of the fight scenes have good balance between those aforementioned fight sounds and the clamor of the crowds watching the battles. A pretty rote supposed "big hair arena rock" score occasionally provides some energy. Dialogue is rendered cleanly and clearly throughout. Optional English subtitles are available.

Kickboxer 2 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Note: This is another Lionsgate Limited release where the mention of "Legacy Special Features" may seem a bit odd given that this film has had no previous release on Blu-ray.

• Audio Commentary with Film Historians Mike Leeder and Russell Wait


• Ring of Fire (HD; 11:58) is a new interview with Matthias Hues.


• Still Standing (HD; 18:24) is a new interview with Vince Murdocco.


• Fight to Film: Behind the Camera of Kickboxer 2 (HD; 16:56) is a new interview with director of photography George Mooradian, who shares a kind of funny story about how he got this, his first feature film assignment as cinematographer, due to some intentional subterfuge on the part of director Albert Pyun involving the venerable Haskell Wexler.

Legacy Special Features

• Still Gallery (HD; 4:56)


• Trailer Gallery

Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:12)




Trailer 2 (HD; 1:53)




Spanish Theatrical Trailer (HD; 2:12)




Teaser Trailer (HD; 2:01)

A digital copy is enclosed. Packaging features a reversible sleeve and slipcover.

Kickboxer 2 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Mitchell went on to other Kickboxer entries, though this is a "series" that probably wasn't able to quite recover from Van Damme's exit. Fans of this film should be generally well pleased with the technical merits and supplements Lionsgate Limited has aggregated for this release.