CYBER TRACKER 2 is not a great sci-fi film, but it is notably better than its underwhelming precursor. The rating I give it is somewhat generous, but for both action fans and Don Wilson devotees, this energetic robot schlock is not among the worst movies you could rent.
The story: The returning Eric (Wilson) and Connie (Stacie Foster) are framed for murder by robot lookalikes controlled by an evil arms dealer (Anthony De Longis).
Compared to the original film, this movie's best attribute is that it actually does something with its premise of assassin robots, which have been made into more interesting killing machines and are definitely utilized more creatively. One of them (Jim Maniaci) even has something of a personality, and Don makes a pretty good TERMINATOR knockoff. However, there is no DOUBLE IMPACT moment wherein Don is fighting himself, and to build on this, the movie's worst attribute is that missed opportunities like this pile up: characters are underutilized (e.g. non-fighting karate prodigy Eboni Adams), fights are often over before they begin (e.g. the Super Tracker showdown), and the examination of civil rights from the first film is lost on this one.
Most of the film's action content is in the form of shootouts, which are almost unanimously overlong and unimaginative. This has the surprising effect of making Don Wilson's questionable fights seem a little better than usual, at least as the movie progresses. Anthony De Longis, who had that cool swordfight with Jet Li in FEARLESS, is presented as a suit but then shows off some surprisingly mighty martial arts and makes for a surprisingly formidable opponent against Don in the finale. Enforcer Athena Massey has only one fight, but it's not terrible.
While the level of energy slackens at times, the bright setting and occasionally fun special effects help keep the film alive to the end. I'm not heartbroken that this series has apparently ended, but it's heartening to be reminded of what a difference that small improvements can make.
