MARTIAL LAW (1991) ***

Chad McQueen stars as a karate-kicking cop nicknamed “Martial Law” who’s trying to bust David Carradine for running a stolen car ring.  Chad’s girlfriend (Cynthia Rothrock) is an undercover cop who occasionally helps him bust heads whenever he gets in a jam.  Complications arise when Chad’s juvenile delinquent little brother (Andy McCutcheon) winds up boosting cars for Carradine.  When Carradine takes out Chad’s brother, he goes out for revenge.

Martial Law is pretty routine stuff, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t entertaining.  The stellar work by the three leads helps to elevate it above the ranks of forgettable ‘90s Kung Fu cop thrillers.  McQueen does a fine job as the macho karate cop.  He gets a great introduction during the opening scene where some armed thugs take people hostage in a jewelry store.  Chad shows up disguised as a pizza delivery guy, and proceeds to kick their asses all over the shop.  

Rothrock’s character is a bit underwritten, but it’s interesting that the filmmakers were able to combine the stereotypical partner and girlfriend characters into one person.  She gets a few good Kung Fu sequences (including squaring off against Benny “The Jet” Urquidez in a stairwell), which helps make up for her lack of characterization.  Cynthia also gets a fun scene where she and McQueen team up to take down some goons in a nightclub.  

Carradine seems to be having a blast hamming it up as the smooth-talking villain.  I also enjoyed seeing him taking on Professor Toru Tanaka in a to-the-death match inside a parking garage.  And it’s Carradine who gets the best line when he tells McQueen’s brother, “I take care of my friends… and my enemies!”

Director Steve Cohen has a workmanlike style that suits the material.  He films the fight scenes clearly and gives the performers plenty of room to do their thing.  His next flick, the fun “Rowdy” Roddy Piper/Billy Blanks team-up, Tough and Deadly, was even better.