In a genre where very few British actors are present, it's always nice to see a superior martial artist like Gary Daniels flying the flag for England.  After seeing him put in strong performances in films like 'City Hunter' and 'Fist Of The North Star', I was more than happy to hand over the low asking price for this straight to DVD (or video) movie.

When the British Ambassador's daughter is kidnapped there is only one man he can rely on to deliver the ransom and attempt a rescue; Shane Alcot!  A retired member of the SAS and holder of numerous Martial Arts trophies, Alcot is also an ex-boyfriend which gives him an alterior motive for accepting this mission.  Unfortunately, it looks like he will have to enter gangland territory armed with little more than his fists and pray that luck is on his side.

If you don't expect too much then you can't really go wrong with a film like 'Riot'.  It's quite clearly low budget and the acting is often cheesy to say the least but it comes packaged with enough fun action and a no-brainer plot to allow you to emerge with a favourable opinion.  Daniels is easily the most enlightening performer involved and waltzes through the movie displaying some lightening kicks and punches that would be equally suited in any of the top class productions.  He is accompanied by former pro-boxer Sugar Ray Leonard in his first film role who puts in a commendable debut, although would perhaps be better suited to an action television series rather than the big screen.  They are consequently surrounded by numerous recognisable television bit-part players that all help to lower the tone of the movie but are solid enough to keep the whole affair moving at a relatively good pace.

Ultimately, as is so often the case with American fight flicks, it's the editing that really lets the film down in the action department.  Daniels' moves are clean and precise with some fresh looking combinations but each time he makes contact with his opponent the camera inexplicably switches to an alternate angle that completely obscures the point of impact.  No one knows why American directors seem to insist on doing this (the stuntwork can't be that obvious can it??) but it is so often the downfall of a potentially enjoyable film such as this. When will they realise that the audience wants to be able to see the talent of the actors (or stuntmen) displayed properly and not have them stifled by an awkwardly cut selection of shots so please, for the sake of my sanity, stop doing this!

That aside, 'Riot' is certainly worth a watch for fans of Gary Daniels but just don't expect this to be his breakout movie.  It's far from original with some cringeworthy acting and serious stereotyping of various cultures (particularly in it's poor portrayal of the English and Irish) but it does follow a successful action movie formula and provide a night off for your brain.