Against all odds, there was a lot to like about 1991's 'Tiger claws.' Most substantively, its better qualities included an unlikely deft balance of over the top ham-handedness (especially in the acting) with some refined elements (especially music and choreography) more typical of more serious action-thrillers. Recognizing that the very premise of this 1996 immediately seems more patently ridiculous, one can't help but wonder how the second would compare with the first. I discern both similarities and differences - but when all is said and done, there's no mistaking that 'Tiger claws II' lacks the same certain finesse that its predecessor possessed.

Composer Varouje made a strong impression in 'Tiger claws' with a synth-driven score that amplified a measure of charged ambience while boasting tasteful flourishes of light percussion. I'm pleased to see that they lend their skills to 'Tiger claws II' as well, this time offering music that is often tinged with an industrial edge. Then again, the tunes here are noticeably less dynamic and varied than they were before, bearing an emphatic repetitiveness that discretely diminishes the value.

The acting in 'I' very much leaned into the more consciously tactless side of the feature - uncomplicated, direct, and playful - while also maintaining the fluidity and ease of the plot development. In 'II,' however, much of that deliberate gaucheness is lost, and so too is the fun that came with it. It's as though returning screenwriter J. Stephen Maunder, now also assuming directorial responsibility, tried to cultivate performances of greater nuance, arguably befitting the more serious side of what his previous screenplay presented. Yet at the same time that the cast excises the cheeky delivery from their retinue, they apparently missed the memo otherwise - because all the way down the list of credits, all I see are depictions that are rather blunt and lifeless.

Meanwhile, the 1991 film carried no pretense about its nature, and was decidedly brusque in its narrative advancement, its tongue-in-cheek levity, and its delightfully robust scenes of martial arts action. Whether it's Maunder's direction, the screenplay they concocted with co-writer Andreas Kyprianou, or both that are to blame, here we're treated to somewhat meandering exposition that fails to hold much sway at all, and a noted dearth of stimulating action until the last third of the length. What displays of martial arts we do get are much more staggered, and less actively engaging. And while the first film was strong enough in every other way that it could have been played as a serious action-thriller, eschewing the more wittily amusing bits - among other faults here, the languishing pace and definite lack of subtlety mean that the general irreverence is sorely missed. Very simply: 'Tiger claws II' is more self-important, and most certainly more stark and frank, but not nearly as much fun.

I'm glad that Cynthia Rothrock and Bolo Yeung return from the first film, along with most prominent star Jalal Merhi. Yet if one were to hope that a second go would elevate Rothrock above "second fiddle" or give Yeung more time on screen - well, that didn't happen. Technically we do see more of Yeung, but he's given even less to do here, I feel, than in the antecedent. Rothrock's role is actually reduced further, too, to the point that Linda Masterson is almost a bit part. And, why, even protagonist Tarek Richards (Merhi) seems flat and static, relatively uninvolved in the feature as the story lackadaisically moves along. Who or what is the star of 'Tiger claws II,' if none of these returning cast members? Believe it or not, I think it's the intangible air of crude, drab forthrightness that takes center stage here as it sheds all the flair that made the 1991 film so enjoyable. The exciting atmosphere provided in 1991, and boosted by Varouje's score then, is exchanged here for an oppressive atmosphere of dull, bland sobriety.

Every aspect of the screenplay feels altogether dispirited, apathetic, and colorless. To add insult to injury, scene writing and narrative alike seem disjointed and unconvincing, and at once forced and vague, as they build to a third act, climax, and unresolved ending that are at no time communicated with any of the urgency or vigor that one would expect of an action-thriller. It's as though Maunder and Kyprianou started out with some well-considered ideas, but ran out of steam well before the conclusion, and just threw together what they could to bring the picture to a close.

I began watching with mixed expectations - I liked 'Tiger claws,' but sequels are always dicey. My opinion was never very high throughout the runtime, and it has continued to fall after the movie ended. All the strength that the 1991 film bore is sapped from this follow-up, to the point that even if you're a particular fan of someone in the cast, I rather disbelieve that there's any compelling reason to watch it. True, you could still do a lot worse than 'Tiger claws II,' but whether you're judging it side by side with its predecessor or on its own merits, I very much think this just doesn't stand up. There's just no reason to seek it out - and even if you chance upon it, you can do a lot better.

Five years after the first "Tiger Claws" movie and the world was enrichened with the 1996 movie "Tiger Claws II". And with this being a sequel to a rather cheesy movie, I have to admit that my expectations weren't high at all to what writers Andreas Kyprianou and J. Stephen Maunder had to offer with "Tiger Claws II".

Yet, I still opted to sit down and watch the movie, as I hadn't already seen it and also because the movie did have Bolo Yeung on the cast list after all.

And I have to say that "Tiger Claws II" was a step backwards, so it did actually manage to live up to what most sequels tend to offer. And sure, why would the 1996 action movie "Tiger Claws II" be any different?

The first movie had a vague script, but for the sequel? Forget about it. It's gone. The movie felt like an illegitimate lovechild of "Bloodsport" and "Mortal Kombat". And yeah, while that definitely sounds like an interesting mix, trust me, it wasn't. Nay, "Tiger Claws II" was just cringeworthy to watch. The storyline written by Andreas Kyprianou and J. Stephen Maunder was just ridiculously bad.

I can't claim to be fan of neither Jalal Merhi or Cynthia Rothrock. And truth be told, I watched this mostly because of Bolo Yeung. But watching him go a whole movie without much dialogue was just stretching it a bit too thin.

If you enjoy poorly made sets that are so campy it hurts, watching martial artists go through a ridiculous obstacle course in order to qualify for a tournament, and then watch a watered-down rip-off of the "Bloodsport" fights, and then also have have a man in questionable make-up made to look old do magic with his hands and watch two people step through a teleporter, then "Tiger Claws II" is your kind of movie. Yeah, I kid you not, this is essentially what "Tiger Claws II" had to offer.

And the title of the movie was sort of fading away into oblivion as the Tiger Claw style wasn't really being used throughout the course of this cheesy action movie.

The acting in "Tiger Claws II" was every bit as non-existing as the storyline. Just a friendly heads up reminder.

My rating of the 1996 "Tiger Claws II" from director J- Stephen Maunder lands on a three out of ten stars.

Why weird, you ask? Well, consider these points:

1) It's called "Tiger Claws II", but the Tiger style is barely used in it.

2) The first movie was a "track down the serial killer" story, this is more of an "underground martial arts tournament" story.

3) Bolo Yeung is now - get this - a good guy! In the film's most laughable line, he is referred to by Jalal Merhi as an "honorable man"! I guess Merhi has gotten over the fact that several innocent people - including his best friend - were killed by Bolo in the first "Tiger Claws".

4) Cynthia Rothrock (who looks very good for 41) has virtually no action scenes until the 50-minute mark, but does get a couple of good fights near the end.

5) There some half-explained sci-fi elements, including time-traveling.

Two more points: the production values are slicker than those of most DTV action sequels, and Evan Lurie, playing one of the bad guys, has a kind of slimy charisma, as opposed to the lead Merhi, who has none at all. (**)