Sworn to Justice
by Paul Maslak
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Brad Dourif, Cynthia Rothrock, Kurt McKinney, Mako, Tony Lo BiancoDirector: Paul Maslak
Brand: MTI
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Original Language)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 90 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-08-28
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Mti Home Video
Movie Reviews of Sworn to Justice
Movie Review: Cynthia Rothrock: Sensual, Psychic, Silly
Summary: 3 Stars
Cynthia Rothrock ("No Retreat, No Surrender 2") portrays Janna - a martial artist and psychologist who comes home one night to find her family murdered, and whose only way of escaping from from the murderers is a dive off of her very high balcony. The fall unlocks a psychic power inside of her that allows her to recall the past of any object she touches, and she uses her newfound ability to track her family's killers down and bring them to justice.
At this time in her film career, Rothrock really didn't have a lot to look forward to: with her glory days as the Hong Kong action queen behind her, all that was in store for her following "Sworn to Justice" was a small role in a "Dukes of Hazzard" TV movie, the completion of the abysmal "Tiger Claws" trilogy, and two lackluster supporting parts alongside Don `the Dragon' Wilson. In truth, "Justice" isn't a great movie, but remains her last decent offering before ending her career on a low note; thus, in some ways, this is her last cinematic hurrah before the cataclysmic fall in quality.
The biggest fault of the movie is how it underutilizes its unique cast: aside from Rothrock, the ensemble includes Tony Lo Bianco ("The French Connection") as a tough police officer, Kurt McKinney ("No Retreat, No Surrender") as her love interest, Brad Dourif ("The Lord of the Rings: the Two Towers") as the murder suspect, Kenn Scott ("Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II") as a lethal crime boss and Vince Murdocco ("Ring of Fire") as his brother, Walter Koenig ("Star Trek") as Janna's psychic instructor, Mary-Margaret Humes ("Dawson's Creek") as a confrontational attorney, and the indispensable Mako as Janna's blind, candy-pedaling acquaintance. Dourif, Murdocco, Koenig, and Mako all have roles so small that they're hardly worth mentioning; as far as I'm concerned, the prolonged presence of any one of them could've made the movie better, but seeing all of them underutilized was a terrible decision on the director's part, especially since both Dourif is an acclaimed actor and Koenig well-known for playing Mr. Chekov.
The movie isn't exactly overflowing with action, which is a shame since most of what's there is pretty good. Granted, the first two brawls between Rothrock, her attackers, and a group of robbers are quick-cut, bottom-of-the-barrel stuff (especially the sound-effect-filled latter, even though it alludes to her amazing fight in "Above in the Law"), but the ensuing fights are great for a DTV production: Rothrock takes on a gang in a garage and battles an amazing flip-crazy Asian fellow (whose I identity I sadly can't uncover), and later takes on the crime boss in a cool weapons-based fight involving rattan sticks and a nunchaka. She eventually battles the rest of his gang hand-to-hand while McKinney and Scott trade blows in the co-final fight, letting the movie end on a high note and almost giving the impression that you've just sat through a wild ride. Definite props go to choreographer Eric Lee.
The production is clean, despite having that very superficial made-for-TV look to it. The acting, on the other hand, is in a bit of trouble: Rothrock remains passable even though she needs to cry several times, but McKinney, Scott, Bianco, and most of the other costars ham it up quite a bit. There are a few very sensual but very silly sex scenes between Rothrock and McKinney which serve no part other than giving fans a good, long look at the former's breasts. There are a couple of so-so gunfights and a pretty decent kata performed by Cynthia, but that's where the good things end. The overall professionalism of the picture keeps me from giving it two stars instead of three, but don't go into this film thinking it's a return to form for the original Sonya Blade - those days are long past.
Summary of Sworn to Justice
Martial arts champion cynthia rothrock stars as jana dane a psychologist and forensic prosecution witness who wakes up with terrifying psychic powers after a serious head injury. An injury sustained in a desperate battle with makes burglars who killed her sister and nephew. Studio: Mti Productions Release Date: 03/30/2004 Run time: 90 minutes Rating: RAction & Adventure DVD Video
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