Director: Gordon Hessler
Notable Cast: Sho Kosugi, Lewis Van Bergen, Robin Evans, Richard Wiley, Ulises Dumont, Gerry Gibson
Every time I watch a Sho Kosugi movie, I’m saddened that his
career as a leading man in action films wasn’t a longer one. Take Rage of Honor as a prime example, which
is getting the deluxe re-release Blu Ray treatment from Arrow Video. Rage of Honor is not a great film, nor
is Mr. Kosugi a phenomenal actor that can carry it. Far from it. However, this
film is so completely, utterly, and undeniably entertaining that there almost
had to be a bet somewhere in how much ridiculous action they were trying to fit
into it. It’s non-stop. The action never ends and Sho Kosugi carries it with
his stabbing stare and outrageous fight work. It’s amazing to think that in the
grander spectrum of silly 80s action movies that Rage of Honor isn’t a top contender for “Most Action Set Pieces
Forced Into One Movie” award. Needless to say, I was hooked and loved every
minute of it.