Rating summary

Movie		3.0
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Sworn to Justice Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 29, 2022

From 1985 to 1995, martial arts star Cynthia Rothrock received many opportunities to showcase her fight skills, appearing in a great number of movies happy to toss the actress into dangerous situations. She battles baddies with the best of them, but 1996’s “Sworn to Justice” tries to highlight other sides of her personality, giving Rothrock a chance to deal with slightly more dramatic situations, and there’s a sensual side to the feature, giving the lead a rare challenge to sell bedroom activity. There’s a lot going on in “Sworn to Justice,” with screenwriter Robert Easter tasked with creating a coherent film with ideas that often don’t blend together, offering swings into fantasy and comedy that seem awfully strange in a revenge story. As usual, Rothrock is the main reason to stick with the wild tonality of the endeavor, and while she can’t always master deep emotional expression, she’s dynamic when it comes time to destroy villains, delivering lively escapism.

Returning home from work, criminal psychologist Janna (Cynthia Rothrock) discovers the dead bodies of her sister and nephew, who’ve recently moved in to escape a domestic abuse situation. The attackers are still in the house, forcing Janna to flee, suffering a head injury during the chaos. Detective Briggs (Tony Lo Bianco) is on the case, trying to make sense of a confusing situation, clashing with Janna, who expects results from his investigation. Returning to work, Janna realizes she’s newly endowed with ESP abilities, able to understand the history of objects she holds close. This mental breakthrough inspires her to work as a vigilante, fighting her way to Eugene (Kenn Scott), the right-hand man of a secretive criminal kingpin in town. Along the way, Janna meets lawyer Nicholas (Kurt McKinney), with the pair falling in love, giving her comfort during a dark time of vengeance.

“Sworn to Justice” is introduced with defined heaviness, following Janna into her home, where loved ones seeking shelter are dead, and the gang responsible for the horror is hoping to add her to the list of victims. The writing sets up a sense of grief for Janna, who’s mourning the loss of beloved people, while rage builds within, watching the police fart around during their investigation, forcing her into action. Such a plot is standard issue stuff when it comes to action cinema, which seems to inspire a few wild directions for the movie, including a brawl in a convenience store that offers slapstick, not severity, to the fight, representing the first of many curious creative choices made by director Paul Maslak.

After Janna submits to an ESP test, she learns of her newly enhanced self. “Sworn to Justice” follows the idea, with the character able to detect danger and location just by holding objects, such as a bat and purse, to her face, which pushes the film into sci-fi territory. And there’s a distraction in the form of Nicholas, a Handsome Dan trying to step in Janna’s line of sight, with the pair sharing interest in kung fu. The material introduces a few sex scenes to “Sworn to Justice,” meant to give Rothrock a more pronounced feminine presence in the feature, but Maslak isn’t trained in the art of sensuality (he’s more committed to leering cinematography), offering an especially goofy sequence where the couple work to disrobe each other while ascending a staircase. There’s not much heat here, but the star does get to do more than just crack heads, even if that means rubbing knives on her face and trying to get a jacket off while being aggressively pawed by her co-star.

Sworn to Justice Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm camera negative. Clarity is excellent throughout, capturing fine details on facial surfaces and costuming, which goes from business attire to lingerie in a hurry at times. Interiors offer crisp decoration, and exteriors preserve city distances. Colors are vibrant, with a respectful refreshing of period hues, giving clothing a defined presence. Primaries are powerful throughout the viewing experience. Skin tones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory, doing well with evening encounters. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in good condition.

Sworn to Justice Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers clear dialogue exchanges, handling varied performances and fits of excitable behavior. Scoring supports with a bit more volume, securing a sharp synth sound, joined by soundtrack selections, which retain their chirpy '90s beats. Sound effects are pronounced, and atmospherics are appreciable.

Sworn to Justice Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• "Romancing the Rothrock" (14:47, HD) is an interview with actress Cynthia Rothrock, who was offered a chance to showcase her softer side with "Sworn to Justice," accepting a role with more sensuality than previously encountered. Dealing with major co-stars and tonal changes, Rothrock accepted help from an acting coach, also dealing with the pressures of being "sexy" for the camera. Director Paul Maslak is recalled, working with the interviewee to bring Hong Kong style to the production. Co-stars are assessed, with Walter Koenig taking personal offense to Maslak's first day jitters. Rothrock also charts her growing power at the time, offered influence over the story and characters. She remains proud of the movie, listing it as one of her best endeavors.

• "Kung Fu Directing" (24:08, HD) is an interview with director Paul Maslak, who details his relationship with actress Cynthia Rothrock, helping her into filmmaking gigs, making the most of her celebrated martial arts history. Building his producing career with the likes of Don "The Dragon" Wilson, Maslak focused on making a significant action movie with Rothrock, also trying to play her up femininity, which was often ignored in features. Screenwriting influences are explored, with Robert Easter put in charge of doing something with multiple genres, and Maslak charts his path to the director's chair, taking command of "Sworn to Justice." Technical achievements are celebrated, with the interviewee explaining his approach to direction, and casting is highlighted. The distribution adventure is examined, with "Sworn to Justice" going on a tour of film festivals before it landed on home video and cable.

• Archival Interviews (SD) spend time with actress Cynthia Rothrock (3:57), second unit director Art Camacho (5:26), producer Neva Friedenn (7:39), and director Paul Maslak.

• Archival Behind-The-Scenes (22:52, SD) features interviews with director Paul Maslak, second unit director Art Camacho, fight choreographer Douglas Kung, cinematographer Rich Benda, composer John Coda, producer Neva Friedenn, and actors Kenn Scott and Cynthia Rothrock.

• A "Sworn to Justice" Video Trailer (1:19, SD) and a "Blonde Justice" Promotional Trailer (2:04, SD) are included.

Sworn to Justice Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Sworn to Justice" locks into a plot with the arrival of Eugene, and offers some suitably itchy acting from Brad Dourif, who briefly appears as a mentally unstable crook. However, it really comes alive when showcasing Rothrock in fight mode, offering power and movement to the feature, along with some amusing showdowns with overconfident stooges. The star is commanding when clearing rooms, and there's enough physical moments in "Sworn to Justice" to carry the viewing experience. It's certainly a strange movie, and one at least trying to do something different with Rothrock, but it doesn't appear to have a game plan, getting too random at times, but it never ignores its most valuable asset.