Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.0

Kill and Kill Again Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 13, 2017

Technically, 1981’s “Kill and Kill Again” is a sequel to 1980’s “Kill or Be Killed,” but the productions have little in common besides star James Ryan, who’s not even playing the same character. However, hindsight is apparent throughout the picture, as it takes what worked before and amplifies the actioner attitude of the follow-up, with director Ivan Hall (returning for duty) creating a bigger adventure that’s filled with martial arts demonstrations and meaty threats, but escalates the whole thing into a James Bond-style spy extravaganza set in South Africa, only without a grand budget.

Ryan portrays Steve, a martial arts expert recruited to stop evil madman Marduk (Michael Mayer) from taking over the world with a special mind- control serum. There’s a team dynamic in “Kill and Kill Again,” which offer a “Mission: Impossible”-style gathering of experts and bruisers, following the group as they figure out a way to infiltrate Marduk’s desert compound and save the world. Along the way, fights break out, giving Ryan and the cast a chance to showcase their fists of fury and magical jumping abilities, taking on various baddies as they come together as a powerful unit. Violence isn’t raw in “Kill and Kill Again,” maintaining cartoon appeal with broad showdowns, making the effort feel like a comic book adaptation, and the Bond references are spread around, from the main title sequence to Marduk’s Dr. No-style wardrobe, adding some cinematic style to an endeavor that clearly doesn’t have enough money to truly bring every idea to life (the fake beard on Marduk is distractingly bad).

Kill and Kill Again Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Listed as a "Brand new 2016 HD scan from the original interpositive," "Kill and Kill Again" arrives on Blu-ray with an AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation. Already a bright picture that primarily takes place outdoors, the movie offers some signs of age, delivering a viewing experience that's periodically fine with detail, picking up on location distances and character particulars, including textured reactions to pain and panic. Softness fluctuates throughout. Costuming also showcases intended sheerness. Color is strong, aided by the bright presence of pink and blue, and greenery is comfortable. Skintones are accurate. Delineation is secure. Source is without significant areas of damage.

Kill and Kill Again Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix isn't sophisticated, but the essentials arrive without issue. Dialogue exchanges are clear, working through multiple accents and performance intensity. Scoring is louder and defined to satisfaction, contributing lively instrumentation to help sell the heroic mood of the endeavor. Sound effects are direct, capturing punches and kicks, and group dynamic for cult scenes is clear.

Kill and Kill Again Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Music Only track is offered.

• Interview (23:45, SD) with screenwriter John Crowther covers his entrance into the industry and his early meetings for "Kill and Kill Again," where he only came up with a take for the movie mere moments before meeting the producers. Crowther discusses characterization for the sequel/not a sequel, and shares a positive response to the final product. The conversation moves on to additional screenwriting projects, including "The Evil That Men Do," "Missing in Action 2: The Beginning," "Hands of Steel," and "Damned River."

• Interview (43:24) is an audio-only chat with star James Ryan.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:36, SD) is included.

Kill and Kill Again Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Kill and Kill Again" builds as it goes, graduating from occasional attacks to a gladiatorial-style conclusion that puts Steve to the ultimate test of power. Everything is heightened in the film, and there's comedy to help ease any severity, making the endeavor more fun than frightening. Hall also works in as much directorial flavoring as he can, paying attention to fluid camerawork and adding what's been labeled as the first use of "bullet time" in a feature, though don't get your hopes up for the climatic reveal. "Kill and Kill Again" is engaging, and Ryan makes for a strong leading man, commanding the picture with steely determination and a compelling display of martial arts skills. The screenplay is also attentive to character, using broad personalities to help boost the mood of the effort. Granted, it's simple formula, and the movie isn't a true showcase of physical skill, but it supplies an amusing adventure punctuated with beat downs and broad villainy.