Comeuppance Reviews
Sgt. Jay Handlin (Trimble) and Sgt. Julie Parish (Sheperd) are cops with an ongoing rivalry about who is the better Martial Artist - but could there be some sparks flying in the romantic department as well? In the midst of trying to figure these things out, the pair travel to Africa of all places to try and bring down crime lord Alex Gatelee (Qissi). Consequently, they get into a ton of fights and face some other trials and tribulations - Julie is kidnapped, Jay has to reject the advances of Gatelee associate Myra Bolo (Hayden), and so forth. After enlisting the help of some locals, their Martial Arts abilities are truly put to the test when they face the ultimate showdown - Gatelee himself, of course. Will Jay be Handlin business? Find out today...? Terminator Woman, not to be confused with Lady Terminator (1989), is professionally-shot and competently made - could it be a coincidence that this was not one of Trimble's Roger Corman-produced actioners? That being said, the pacing is off and things get a bit dull at times. If about 10 minutes were lopped off, this whole outing might have a bit more verve to it. But the leads are all top-notch: You've got fan-favorite Trimble, who, in the most complimentary sense, resembles a more meatheady Emilio Estevez, and his trademark raspy voice is instantly recognizable. Then you've got fellow fan-favorite Sheperd, an enjoyable screen presence whose Martial Arts skill is excellent and wonderfully captured here. Finally, there's Qissi, who also directed the movie, who very convincingly plays the baddie. So those are the movie's strengths and weaknesses for you, and they fight it out - like everyone else on screen - throughout the running time.Generally speaking, we don't really care for 'Africa Slogs', as we call them, but this one is tolerable, thanks mainly to the aforementioned leads. The Trimble/Sheperd team up was an inspired choice, and it might remind you of similar pairings, such as Richard Norton and Cynthia Rothrock in the Rage and Honor diptych, or Steven Vincent Leigh and Sophia Crawford in Sword of Honor (1996). If nothing else, the movie as a whole plays to the strengths of the leads, and there are plenty of fights - as well as some good-natured stupidity - to prove that.The whole thing is very 90's - just witness the scenes at the Backlash club for proof. Maybe it's an Africa thing, or maybe it's an action movie thing, but it's hard to imagine a dance club in the U.S. being named "Backlash". It's a bit too angry for us. Judging by the large "TW" logo on the U.S. VHS box art, perhaps the filmmakers were attempting a bit of branding: this is the one and only TW, and in their ideal world, people would ask each other around the water cooler, "have you seen the latest TW movie? I did, and it was awesome." Latest, because surely more TW's were planned. As it stands, presumably Sheperd is the TW, but the movie isn't solely about her and her quest. Trimble is an equal part, and they didn't call the movie "Terminator Man" - though, to be fair, Steve Railsback is the true Termination Man. Schwarzenegger ranks somewhere in there too, I'm sure.In the midst of all the action, Trimble finds time to do a spontaneous shirtless Martial Arts workout/display alone in his hotel room whilst wearing tight jeans. The only outfit a 90's action star needs.
m_roberts_07
It's been too long since I have watched Terminator Woman until today. I am kinda feeling little sorry for myself (I've been given a few days off from work) because I fractured my wrist in sparring while doing martial arts the other night but this little gem managed to keep me entertained as I'm waiting for the pain killers to kick in.I have a feeling the previous reviewers who had bad things to say about this movie don't like other films of this genre...I love them. In Terminator Woman we have plenty of martial arts action. Jerry Trimble Jr and Karen Sheperd make an awesome team together. I give this 10 out of 10 because the movie involves many great fight scenes, yes the acting is really bad but if you are like me and can watch a movie for the fun side of it, then I am sure you can enjoy this nice little martial arts gem from the good old day as long as you don't take the movie too seriously.
Mike Helfield (Invictus)
This was actually an alright movie. There is an abundance of action, and Jerry Trimble makes for a pretty good hero. Michel Qissi, although his directing skills might lack a little, his martial skill is impressive. It was quite a surprise to see Qissi's "real" face. There is only one song on the soundtrack "Body Talk". I have to say that is incredible, and of course, impossible to find. I really enjoyed that song, and it was a splendid choice for the film, although they could have put more songs in there. Jerry Trimble is also very good in "Breathing Fire" starring as an evil drug lord with co-star Bolo Yeung who is amongst my favourites. I would strongly recommend "Breathing Fire" to any martial arts film enthusiast.
