Tiger Claws Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Tiger Claws Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 11, 2021

1991’s “Tiger Claws” is a Canadian action film directed by Kelly Makin, who was one of the key creative forces involved in The Kids in the Hall, helming “Brain Candy” and “Death Comes to Town.” These are unusual ingredients for bruiser cinema, but Makin makes it work, offering a reasonably tight and active martial arts feature that does well with its talent. It’s not much of a mystery and acting limitations are obvious, but “Tiger Claws” has energy and a drive to deliver some interesting fight sequences and chases, finding compelling ways to batter bodies.

A serial killer known as the Death Dealer is on the loose, and he’s targeting martial art masters around New York City, using the special Tiger technique to finish off his victims. On the case are supercops Linda (Cynthia Rothrock) and Tarek (Jalal Merhi), who’s hoping to redeem himself after a drug deal goes bad. Trying to enter the secret world of Tiger training, Tarek comes into contact with brute Chong (Bolo Yeung), also joining Linda as they hunt for suspects, getting into troubling situations only their martial arts moves can get them out of.

“Tiger Claws” isn’t vigorously scripted, presenting a simple plan for mayhem, which includes the murders of high-profile martial arts masters, including a television host with the unlikely name of Dan Pickells. He’s one of a few killed around New York City, putting the cops on the case, including Tarek, who’s handed a haunted backstory involving his presence at a botched drug deal, keeping him on suspension while participating in the investigation (don’t ask me how that works). He’s partnered with Linda, the competent one of the duo, who’s looking to prove her detective skills. She’s ready to expose the Death Dealer, with the twosome taking to the streets to find clues and deal with the messes the killer leaves behind.

Makin shows impressive confidence with the low-budget feature, finding ways to make “Tiger Claws” move along, keeping action sequences plentiful as the cops bash villains around urban locations and inside a strip club. It’s not refined filmmaking, but for this type of production, Makin does well, basically dropping any type of whodunit to charge ahead with physical encounters and some sense of martial arts development with sequences of Tiger training.

Tiger Claws Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.85:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as "Newly scanned & restored in 4K" from the 35mm original camera negative. While the viewing experience is quite pleasing, noticeable camera issues are present, including a brief but noticeable scratch at the beginning of the movie, and there's a slight blurriness to a few scenes. Beyond that, detail is excellent, with sharp facial surfaces and deep urban locations. Sets are open for exploration, and costuming is fibrous. Colors are true, examining period hues with clothing and lighting, while exteriors bring out bright greenery and the coldness of city and warehouse fights. Delineation is ideal. Grain is fine and film-like.

Tiger Claws Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides crisp dialogue exchanges, managing accents and performance abilities well. Scoring cues are equally defined, with a distinct synth presence and some heavier percussion. Sound effects for fight sequences are pronounced, adding broad body blows.

Tiger Claws Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features producer/actor Jalal Merhi.

Tiger Claws Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Tiger Claws" is entertaining, not dramatically satisfying, offering more screen time with Rothrock, who once again steps up to become the most exciting element of the picture, doing well with action choreography as Linda cleans up NYC one kick at a time. Makin tries to squeeze as much as he can out of the material, offering a passably stylish endeavor that explores hidden spaces, a strip club, and even a marina, trying to make a suitable mess for the cops to clean up with their considerable fight skills (banter isn't quite as flexible) and thirst for justice.