I keep thinking the 90s was like the Bronze Age of action movies; like the 80s there would a giant cesspool of action movies. Only back in the 90s we had the advances of video stores and cable. There were a lot of popular action movies such as Speed, The Rock and Face Off. But there were action movies back then that didn’t quite stand out from the bunch. Movies that you would come across late at night on a school night that has you saying “I don’t know what that movie’s called but it sure was awesome”. And TC 2000 was one of those movies that I came across when I was a kid.
We open on a narration by Jason Storm (played by Billy Blanks); I wonder is he related to Mason Storm from Hard to Kill? Anyway he states that food, water and air have become poisonous due to years of pollution. Most of the people started dying from disease and hunger. The wealthy have moved underground and setup an Underworld society while others were left behind on the surface world. The killers and criminals formed ruthless gangs and when they won’t killing each other they would try to break into the Underworld. Jason works for TC (Tracker Communicator) Unit; an elite Underworld security forces. Their job is to locate any “Breakers” trying to get in the Underworld and kick them out or terminate them. Jason and his rookie partner Zoey Kinsella (played by Bobbie Phillips) return to Underworld as their patrol on the surface world has ended for tonight. But as the secondary unit started their patrol they’re immediately attacked by a group of Breakers. Jason and Zoey are immediately called in to take care of them. Back outside the Breakers have taken out the two TC men and used their bodies to get pass the security laser grid. Inside Jason and Zoey spot the two Breakers and pursuit after them; they split up as the Breakers do so as well. They both managed to apprehend the Breakers and send them back to the surface world.
After the Breaker attack has been dealt with Jason and Zoey report to the Controller (played by Ramsay Smith). Zoey believes that someone is giving TC Unit schedule intel to the Breakers but Controller says he’s looking into it. Controller calls in a scientist, Dr. Cameron Johnson (played by Gregory Philpot) to analyze some data collected by Jason and Zoey for a new TC project on the surface world called TC 2000 X. Cybernetic trackers as Johnson explains to them; however, there has been any volunteers for the project. Jason and Zoey stop at a locker room and run into this movie’s douchebag and Controller’s right hand Bigalow (played by Matthias Hues). Cut to Jason and Bigalow at the gym having a “sparring match”; apparently there’s some bad blood between the two. And also I’m giving this movie points for having Billy Blanks wearing sunglasses that makes him look like Johnny Cage. Anyway the two began fighting which is rather impressive fight scene. The two continue beating the crap out each other until an announcement from the intercom breaks up the fight. Later at Jason’s place Zoey is certain that there’s leak in the security system; Jason tells her to let it go but she still wants to investigate as she leaves. Cut to the Controller getting a call from a subordinate that they’ve located a Master Sumai on the surface. The Controller doesn’t see him as a threat for the moment so he tells to stand down. Soon after we cut to Sumai (played by Chong Li himself Bolo Yeung) in a competitive street fight. Now this is gonna become as a shock but Bolo is a protagonist in this movie. Yeah that was a surprise to me too when I first was this. Anyway Sumai is kicking ass in this fight until his opponent grabs an on-looker; using him as a shield. But that doesn’t stop Sumai as he harmlessly punches the on-looker yet hits his opponent winning the fight. Now I don’t know what he did or what it’s called I just know that it was badass.
Cut to a gang hideout of the Picassos led by Niki Picasso (played Jalal Merhi); yeah I know it sounds silly just go with it. Nick announces that it’s time for the Picassos to penetrate the Underworld and take what’s rightfully theirs; apparently with the help of a Tracker’s PDR that Nick acquired from someone within the Underworld. Later we cut to a TC Unit repairing a damaged force field and security until they’re attacked by the Picassos. They’ve immediately taken out the Unit and entered the Underworld; meanwhile, Jason and other TC Units are called in. In the Underworld tunnels the Picassos have taken out a few more TC Units and have reached quadrant 13. Shortly after Jason and Zoey preceded to quadrant 13 and are on pursuit the Picassos. They managed to catch up the gang at a dead end; however, Niki finds a hidden passage to the next quadrant that’s underneath the Underworld’s central control. Jason and Zoey continue to pursuit them until they are confronted by the Picassos. The two managed to hold off the gang as long as possible, however, Niki finds a secret panel with an Uzi inside. Nick open fires on the two but accidentally shoots one of his men. Nick continues firing on Jason and Zoey until he has them pin down at a pillar. Little do Jason and Zoey know that there’s another gunman hidden in shadows behind them. The open fires and shoots Zoey in the back; Jason attends to her but unfortunately she dies. This incident however has provided a volunteer for the TC 2000 X project.
Back on the surface world Sumai runs into a MasterBlaster wannabe beating up a boy and a woman. Of course this pisses off Sumai and proceeds to fix this problem. That’s right Sumai is a real Kenshiro in this movie which means that not-MasterBlaster is gonna get fucked beyond Thunderdome…..BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! The two began fighting but it seems that not-MasterBlaster has the upper hand. Sumai fights back like a badass but still being overpowered by not-MasterBlaster. Sumai managed to get to an opening with one Sweet Chin Music to the chest; knocking not-MasterBlaster permanently on his ass. Back in the Underworld Jason checks out a video from Zoey’s shoulder cam and sees Niki holding the PDR. This confirms Zoey’s suspicions about the leak in security. Shortly after Zoey’s funeral Jason approaches the Controller asking to see her one last time but he denies that request. Saying that she’s listed as classified information; Jason is not too happy about that considering that the Picassos have access to the Underworld. Jason declares that he’s sticking around watching other getting killed off so the Controller recommends him for a full deprograming. Resigning from TC as it were; Jason undergoes surgery to have his chip impacts removed. He soon recovers at his place but still pretty groggy from the surgery. However, it appears that wasn’t the Controller’s plan as it turns out he ordered Johnson to have Jason died during the surgery but he couldn’t do it. So now Bigalow has sent his men to kill Jason. They break into his place but Jason is all for them as he quickly dispatches them. He then escapes via air vent as more of Bigalow’s men show up. Well now he knows how John McClane felt like.
Jason makes it to the security laser grid leaving straight to the surface world. So nobody didn’t reprogram the grid to keep Jason from escaping the Underworld I mean the thought never cross no one’s mind at all? Then again it would’ve been a short movie if he got fried at the grid. Later the Controller notifies TC with misinformation that Jason is a traitor and has defected to the surface world. Soon after Controller reveals to the public the TC 2000 X who turns out to be Zoey in an outfit straight from American Gladiators. And apparently she has FMV vision. On the surface world Jason arrives at a competitive street fight between Sumai and a new challenger with a plastic bag of clean water as the prize. As the fight starts Sumai immediately has the challenger on the ropes. Seriously fighting Chong Li is like fighting Bruce Lee while he’s blindfolded, you might as well throw in the towel already. Therefore the challenger decides to cheat using a knife; he has Sumai dodging away from him giving the challenger an opening for the kill. Luckily Jason blocks the kill stab then punches the challenger on his ass. The fight is interrupted as a TC Unit show up along with Zoey. Jason is glad to see them; however, it’s not exactly a reunion as they quickly incapacitate him. Luckily Sumai takes out the Unit and carries Jason away to safety as the Picassos show up. Niki orders them to capture Zoey but she quickly dispatches them; Niki stops Zoey asking her to join him and she does. We cut to Sumai’s place as he brings Jason on in; apparently Jason has gain Sumai’s respect. Jason asks for info about Niki who’s been terrorizing the surface world for years. The only gangs that can rival the Picassos are the Lifers but won’t team up with anyone. And apparently the Lifers’ hideout is the Terminal Station; a chemical warfare plant that was meant to wipeout the population of the surface world. Jason decides to go after Niki alone but Sumai advise him to go by day. And by day he does as Jason infiltrates Niki’s hideout but he’s not alone as Sumai soon arrives to help. They made it to a tower above a window to the hideout; Jason goes rappelling down into the hideout and catches Niki off guard. Jason is about to take him out as payback for killing Zoey but Niki informs him that she’s still alive and calls her. Jason is shocked to see Zoey alive but once again the reunion is cut short as she starts kicking his ass. She soon starts to glitch out as tidbits of her memories are kicking in but her programming immediately overrides them. Zoey continues the ass kicking until she kicks Jason out of the hideout.
Back at the Underworld the Controller has been monitoring Zoey’s progress; apparently she’s meant to infiltrate the Picassos, use them to take out the Lifers and gain control of Terminal Station. Not to mention that the Overlord of Underworld is unaware of the Controller’s plan. Jason awakes at Sumai’s place, recovering from the ass kicking. But not to worry Jason will be feeling a lot better with…..you guess it A TRAINING MONTAGE YAAAAAAAAAAAY! We even get to see Sumai’s badass Magic Death Punch. Afterwards Jason mentions Zoey’s last name which Sumai recognizes to be her father’s. Apparently her father built Terminal Station to help repair the atmosphere but was turned into a weapon when her father was murdered. Back at the Underworld Johnson is not too comfortable turning into a weapon but the Controller doesn’t care. It’s revealed that it was the Controller who shot Zoey dead as he shoots Johnson in the head. Back on the surface world Jason and Sumai are planning to enter Terminal Station, but first they need gather some Redshirts……I MEAN some good men to fight against the Lifers. Back at the Underworld the Controller is called in by the Overlord; apparently he’s not too happy of him using TC 2000 X for personal agendas. But the Controller doesn’t seem to care as he orders Bigalow to break the Overlord’s neck. Cut to Terminal Station the Picassos began their attack on the Lifers as Jason, Sumai and their gang standby in the shadows. The Picassos have wiped out the Lifers as the Controller and his men soon arrived at the scene. Terminal Station is accessed with the help from Zoey who apparently is the key to the station. Jason and the others follow suit into the station.
Inside Terminal Station Jason and the others make their attack on the douchebags and just as I thought Jason’s guys are easily taken out by the Picassos. Like I said Redshirts. Jason and Sumai managed to take out the Picassos like they’re the fucking Bad Dudes. They made to the “Killzone” which is guarded by the Controller’s men. Jason engages two of Controller’s men while Sumai engages Bigalow. Meanwhile, Controller, Zoey and Niki have entered the Killzone; basically this place is a silo which houses a special launcher. This launcher fires six chemicals; by themselves they’re harmless but mix in the atmosphere becomes deadly for 48 hours. Controller activates the Surface World Cleansing sequence then he activates a laser security grid to protect the launcher controls from intruders. Jason is being tag-teamed but eventually defects them. Meanwhile, Bigalow decides to be a pussy and run away but Sumai chases after him. Bigalow goes through a door then blocks it shut; preventing Sumai from getting through. But does that stop him, HELL NO! Sumai unleashes his Magic Death Punch on the door but hits Bigalow in the process; killing him instantly. Back at the Killzone Controller tries to escape via silo elevator but Niki follows him all the way to the top of the silo. Niki wraps a rope around the Controller’s neck, throws him off and the Controller dies instantly. Jason and Sumai arrived at the Killzone and managed to get pass the laser grid. Jason confronts Zoey to stop her but she glitches again; this time her programming shuts down completely, returning to her normal self. With only seconds remaining Jason and Zoey are trying to stop the sequence; Zoey thinks that it might be stopped with a password. Jason tried certain words that might work but no good. Then Sumai approaches the control and types in LIFE and apparently it worked and sequence has stopped. Turns out Zoey’s father told Sumai the password a long time ago. So the surface world is safe, our heroes rejoice while enjoying the sunrise; apparently nature has been healing itself and the Controller knew the whole time. And as for Niki, well he’s having some elevator trouble. End of movie.
My Final Verdict: The thing about low budget post-dystopia movies is if done right you can get away with a decent story and TC 2000 is no exception. This movie maybe cheesy but still enjoyable to watch when you’re having a rainy day or just bored. The fight scenes are entertaining for the most part; sure they’re not on par with The Raid but still noteworthy fight scenes. Now the acting maybe questionable at times given that most of the actors started out as martial artists. Not having any acting chops under their belt but in this movie the acting is forgivable. Seeing Bolo Yeung as a protagonist was a different change of pace though I’m a bit confused that he’s top billing in the credits yet he gets less screen time. Not sure if TC 2000 was his first or last movie where he’s the protagonist but I’m there’s probably more out there somewhere. Now I like bring up actress Bobbie Phillips; she starred in a trilogy in the late 90s called Chameleon. And they knida have the same vibe as TC 2000.
So that’s that but I think I’m in the mood for one more cheesy action flick from the 90s. Next time it’s Bloodfist VI: Ground Zero, stay tuned.
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