Balance of Power (1996)

"What's the most important thing about learning karate?"  - Billy Blanks
"Kicking some butt, man."  - Kid

aka: Hidden Tiger
Billy Blanks runs a dojo for under-privileged kids, but is shaken down by gangsters demanding protection money. Billy Blanks is going to have to do some serious training if he wants to win the ultimate death match to get revenge.
Starring: Billy Blanks, Mako, James Lew, Lisa Jai

Link to IMDB

Billy Banks, really in the zone

Yes, it's another action movie with Billy Blanks, but this might just be the best one he's done. He still can't act or pronounce words correctly, but the plot's a bit more obvious (and predictable) than his usual stuff, so we aren't forced to rely on Billy Blanks to carry the story or get distracted by virtual reality effects. Just a traditional beat-em' up movie.
The first thing after the credits is a brutal fight with some cringe inducing injuries, and this sets the dark tone for most of this movie. The fighters are all legitimate athletes, so at least we see some decent martial arts.
It's not all fighting and blood though. Billy Banks meets some new friends, Master Matsumoto and his granddaughter Jasmine. These two are pretty chill, as they are constantly insulting Billy Blanks in amusing ways.



Matsumoto needs to train Billy Blanks mentally and physically to become the best fighter, and the extended training sequence might be the best part of the movie. It's rather entertaining to see Billy Blanks get slapped and insulted by his friends, which adds some much needed levity to the somber tone of the story.

Mr. Billy Blanks, you're ugly and stupid. The end.

Billy Blanks also has to survive an ordeal in a secret cave before he can gain access to the final fight. These scenes feel really out of place, as Billy Blanks is guided by a mysterious monk through a series of Dungeons & Dragons inspired traps to prove he's a worthy warrior... or something.

"I got some shit that will make your karate go skyyy hiiigh."  - Thug

Be sure not to miss:
- Sunny beaches one minute, snowy forest the next? Yup, filmed in Canada.
- The steam room scene gets weird.
- Billy Blanks

Internet review:
"I've seen better acting in Rice Krispies commercials."  - gator1110

Should I watch it?
You know you have to.

Where can I find it?
Found it on YouTube... with a weird intro.

Balance of Power gets...