Where to watch Desert Kickboxer
1 1/2 Stars
I’ve long been an admirer of the work from John Haymes Newton and Isaac Florentine, respectively. So, I was beyond excited to get my hands on a copy of their little-seen collaboration from 1992, Desert Kickboxer. The picture starts well and then devolves into a series of ridiculous scenes that are unable to showcase Newton’s charisma or Florentine’s beautiful camerawork. Instead, we are given standard plotting, poor action, and some of the worst hair extensions I’ve ever seen on an actor.
After killing a man (for being spit on) during a Kickboxing match, Joe Highawk quiets the sport and returns to the reservation. But it’s not long before his peaceful existnace is shattered and he forced back into action except this time the stakes are much higher than prizefighting.
Desert Kickboxer is fairly routine and dull with only a rousing training montage that brings momentary energy to the picture. The native American protagonist outlaw is very much a product of its era. Yet, it’s always a pleasure to see the beautiful Judie Aronson (my childhood crush) in a film and you can see brief glimpses of the filmmaking style that Isaac Florentine would further develop in (the highly underappreciated) Bridge of Dragons.
Director: Isaac Florentine
Stars: John Haymes Newton, Judie Aronson, Sam DeFrancisco, Paul Smith