Synopsis: When a sheriff's sister returns home to find that her brother and family have been killed by the brutal Sinclair – leader of a gang of outlaws who are stealing peoples homes and lands – she takes on the badge and sets out to settle the score. But this fast kicking vengeful woman might just have bitten-off more than she can chew! (116 Mins)

 

Views: Damien Sinclair, the self-proclaimed Emperor of Black Creek, has been harassing townsfolk and killing them off in order to steal their land, their homes and their livelihoods. One set of victims is Sheriff John Jennings and his family, whose feisty sister soon returns home to the gritty Southwestern town to learn of their murders. After finding out who was behind it, Rose does everything in her power to take revenge – meeting new friends along the way who help prepare her for what's to come. But in a town of darkness, where crime rules and blood flows freely, will Rose survive her quest for vengeance and bring justice to Black Creek once and for all?

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Rumoured to be the 3rd most successfully funded action film 'of all time', Black Creek sees the much loved Cynthia Rothrock return to form for the first time in over 20 years! While she has most definitely be active within that time in films such as Sci-Fighter (2004), Badass Showdown (2013), Mercenaries (2014), Showdown In Manila (2016), and Death Fighter (2017) for example, none of these have really gave us the same Cynthia we fell in love with way back in the 1980s – heck, even the mid 90s would have done. For me, her last worthwhile production and enjoyable fight-fest was 2002's Outside The Law. But since then, it's been a mish-mash of low-budget flicks, children's movies, voice-overs and guest appearances. Thankfully, 2024 looks like the year of Ms. Rothrock getting back to business!

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Now, first thing's first – from 12 years of age I have long been a diehard fan of this incredible action actress (I'm almost 50 as I write), and if you watch my Invincible Asia YouTube channel, will know that without a doubt. So when I criticise the last 20 years or so of her work, it is not for any other reason other than she just has not been given the right projects. Robbed of Hollywood stardom from playing the very character she inspired – Mortal Kombat's Sonya Blade – Cynthia Rothrock absolutely should have stayed in Hong Kong where she dominated the screen as the first (and first female) Western fighting star to lead their own movies. She was incredible and is still often hailed as the first true Queen of modern martial arts cinema; ranked above her Yes Madam (1985) co-star and Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, the incredible Moon Lee, awesome Yukari Oshima and many others. On top of that, I completely understand that she is now in her late 60s and have no reservations that she will be returning to the powerhouse, stunt-filled days of her early career. Black Creek though, is pretty damn close...

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For a low-budget, crowd-funded project, co-written and co-produced by the lady herself, this gritty martial-arts Western was a great achievement. I did see a review that said that 'Black Creek was the first of it's kind, an old-fashioned Western with martial-arts action' but this is most certainly not the case. Jackie Chan's very own Shanghai Noon (2000) is a prime example, of course, not to mention Sammo Hung's very awesome Millionaire's Express (1986) which starred Rothrock herself. The Warrior's Way (2010), Bunraku (2010), Sukiyaki Western Django (2007), Once Upon A Time in China & America (1997), Savate (1995) and even as far back as the 1970s with The Fighting Fists of Shanghai Joe (1973), The Stranger & The Gunfighter (1974) with Lo Lieh and Red Sun (1971) with the great Toshiro Mifune – even the much loved Kung Fu (1972) series all followed the same path, and Black Creek (thankfully) is a welcome addition to them. In fact, martial arts-actor Michael Worth actually went down a very similar path back 2003 when he co-wrote and starred in the fun Ghost Rock, and to be honest, I would love to have seen his character of Jack Slaughter somehow return here. Maybe he'll get the chance if Black Creek 2 comes about.

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That said, Cynthia gives fans a cast of martial arts greats to enjoy – even if some of them do seem like they've been rounded-up at the local retirement village for a day of activities. These are, most notably, Wheels on Meals (1984) co-stars Keith Vitali and Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez who cameo as a pair of ring fighters facing off against each other. Although tired and slow looking, it was still nice to see the pair back together on-screen after all this time. Old friend and past co-star Don 'The Dragon' Wilson makes an appearance as Xiyang – a Chinese-Native American who saves, trains and mentors Rose (Rothrock) after she gets badly injured. He does get to join in on the action in the second half and brings some humour to the film, supported by Baby Driver (2017) actor R. Marcus Taylor who begins as a threat to Rose, but soon becomes one of her allies. China O'Brien (1990) co-star and martial arts sensation Keith Cooke returns also – this time playing more of a straight-laced role who gets to through a few moves towards the end of the film. Prolific supporting actor and regular bad guy player Patrick Kilpatrick, delivers as a turn as Rose's unfortunate Sheriff brother whose murder is her reason for taking vengeance. They are supported by names such as Eliza Kelley, Douglas Vermeeren, Brandy Futch, Jody Nolan, and popular TV star Forbes Riley who plays the feisty brothel Madame.

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And then there's the late-great Richard Norton as brutal bad guy, Damien Sinclair, in what would unfortunately be his last full feature role. Of course, both he and Cynthia had shared the screen a number of times over the decades, leading many fans to believe they were indeed a real-life couple which was never the case. Aside from their dealings and friendship in the real world of martial arts, the pair first joined forces in Sammo Hung's aforementioned Millionaires Express (1986) quickly followed by an even more impressive turn in Wong Jing's Magic Crystal (1986) – quite possibly their finest hour in terms of physicality and fight moves. Together, they would go onto appear in titles such as Fight To Win (1987), China O'Brien 1 & 2 (1990), Lady Dragon (1992), Rage & Honor (1992), Rage & Honor 2 (1993) and briefly in Don Wilson's Redemption (2002) before this. Here, as Sinclair, Norton is a slick, funny, and as ruthless as always when playing the bad guy, and holds back his moves until the final showdown with Cyndy which was great to watch after all these years!

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The movie was directed by short film-maker Shannon Lanier and short action-actor Mike Moller – the German martial-artist who was almost kicking up a storm as a new action star in films such as One Million K(l)icks (2015), Ultimate Justice (2017), and The Expendables 4 (2023) among others. That he said, he has been a busy boy behind the scenes working as a stunt co-ordinator, double or choreographer on films such as Half Past Dead (2002), Speed Racer (2008), The Three Musketeers (2011), Pound of Flesh (2015), The Matrix Resurrections (2021) and John Wick: Chapter 4 (2023) as well as most of his own aforementioned starring vehicles. Here, he doubles up those duties once again to deliver some pretty exciting fights and stunt work that allow Cyndy to let loose (even at this age), offer some pretty sweet moves from those that can, and send stuntmen crashing through tables, doors and windows in style. With each fight, we get plenty of impact and brutality – there was certainly no shortage of blood – which kept me entertained for the most part (even with a little under-cranking). While much of the blood seen is digital, it still works, although you can see that when it came to other practical effects, there certainly wasn't the budget or perhaps talent available to make the best of them. Still, a minor gripe – and as an independent feature film-maker myself, I know the struggles these projects can bring...

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While not perfect and still a little rough around the edges with it's writing, acting and lesser artistic detail, Black Creek is worth seeing for a number of reasons – one of these being the re-teaming of Rothrock and Norton after all these years, her hard work and passion finally coming to life, and as the swansong for one of martial arts cinema's finest stars. Even with it's (almost) two-hour running time, I found myself engrossed enough not to feel like things were dragging. In certain ways, the film played like a Wild West-version of Cyndy's very own China O'Brien (1990), and I feel that this is a character and story that she could most certainly take forward with a sequel or two in the near future. Or even better, have Netflix create a series out of it bringing in the martial arts action-stars of yesteryear. Think about it – Walker Texas Ranger meets Cobra Kai – only for adults!

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Overall: A successful passion project for Ms. Rothrock and a highly enjoyable piece overall, Black Creek will keep fans happy and hopefully mark the return of this fantastic action starlet!