Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		5.0
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

TC 2000 Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf November 26, 2021

Billy Blanks is perhaps best known as the creator of Tae Bo, a workout program that became a staple of infomercial programming throughout the 1990s. Blanks made a fortune in the business, but he also wanted to be a movie star, offering his martial arts skills to writer/director T.J. Scott. The result was 1993’s “TC 2000,” which positioned Blanks as the big new thing on the action cinema scene, using his physical presence to keep up with Scott’s refreshingly berserk pacing, which has some form of fighting or chasing happening every few minutes in the film.

“TC 2000” brings viewers to the future world of 2020, and things aren’t going well on Earth (prescient!). Blanks portrays a security officer who knows too much, hunted by those looking to silence him, joined by a cyborg created out of his dead partner. Scott lifts a few ideas from “RoboCop,” but he mostly sticks with the B-movie basics, following the characters as they enter various industrial realms to kick and punch one another, offering Blanks plenty of opportunities to showcase his power. His acting isn’t quite as confident, but nobody really wows with their performances in “TC 2000.”

TC 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a 4K scan of the 35mm original camera negative. Detail is ideal, with a sharp sense of skin surfaces and costuming, while industrial interiors are dimensional and textured. Electronic stations also remain defined. Colors favor a colder palette to keep up with the dystopian vibe, favoring dark blues and grays on clothing, while gang outfits offering brighter primaries. Steely spaces retain their intended look, along with stylish lighting. Skintones are natural. Delineation is satisfactory. Grain is fine and film-like. Source is in terrific condition.

TC 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA sound mix carries crisp dialogue exchanges. Voices are distinct and balanced. Scoring is supportive without overwhelming performances, presenting a clear synth sound. Sound effects are pronounced throughout the listening event.

TC 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features producer/actor Jalal Merhi and actor Billy Blanks.

• "An Orgy of Action" (11:06, HD) is an interview with producer/actor Jalal Merhi, who reveals that "TC 2000" was originally supposed to be "Tiger Claws 2" before the approach was changed to a futuristic actioner. Director T.J. Scott is assessed, and memories of the cast are offered, including Bobbie Philips, who survived an accidental fall during the shoot. Time inside a freezing Toronto power plant is remembered, along with access to a major bridge in the city, which was undergoing repairs. Originally more dramatic, "TC 2000" was ordered to undergo reshoots, adding a significant amount of action to the feature, with Merhi expressing some disappointment with the ultimate direction of the movie.

• "Jason Takes the Underworld" (9:43, HD) is an interview with actor Billy Blanks, who walks through his martial arts career, developing into a champion at an early age. While recuperating from a knee injury, Blanks found himself with an offer to star in "TC 2000," reuniting with pal Jalal Merhi, who was a celebrated martial artist himself. Co-stars are recalled, with Blanks especially excited about working with Bolo Yeung, following his career since his days with Bruce Lee. Stunt work is analyzed, as Blanks performed almost all of his physical action. Director T.J. Scott pushed dramatic challenges to the end of the shoot, and Blanks shares his struggles with dyslexia. Interestingly, the interviewee mentions elements of "TC 2000" that ended up in 1998's "Blade."

• EPK Featurette (9:25, SD) is a 1993 promotional video featuring clips from "TC 2000" and interviews with cast and crew.

• Behind-the-Scenes Footage (3:37, SD) is also from the original EPK, capturing the creation of a few shots from "TC 2000."

• A Trailer has not been included on this release.

TC 2000 Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Dramatics aren't really the point of "TC 2000," and they don't connect as needed, leaving the movie to become a stunt show, and a furious one at that, displaying an enormous number of flips, kicks, and punches. "TC 2000" could be more compelling, but it rarely stops, with Scott trying to make the most of what little he has, offering action fans a crude but diverting bruiser.