Performance & Direction: Desert Kickboxer Review
Last updated: January 26, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Desert Kickboxer (1992) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a FLOP with a verified audience rating of 3.9/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Desert Kickboxer features a noteworthy lineup led by John Newton . Supported by the likes of Paul L. Smith and Judie Aronson , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Desert Kickboxer (1992) is negative. With an audience rating of 3.9/10, it stands as a challenging project that may struggle to find an audience.
Story & Plot Summary: Desert Kickboxer
Quick Plot Summary: Desert Kickboxer is a Drama, Western, Action film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Ending Explained: Desert Kickboxer
Ending Breakdown: Desert Kickboxer attempts to tie together its various plot elements. The finale presents its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Desert Kickboxer reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Desert Kickboxer?
Consider Watching If:
- You're a completist for Drama films
- You're curious despite mixed reviews
- You have low expectations and want casual entertainment
Box Office Collection: Desert Kickboxer
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Worldwide Gross | $86.0 |
| Trade Verdict | FINANCIAL DISAPPOINTMENT |
Top Cast: Desert Kickboxer
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Where to Watch Desert Kickboxer Online?
Streaming Hub🎟️ Rent on
Amazon Video🏷️ Buy on
Amazon VideoDesert Kickboxer Parents Guide & Age Rating
1992 AdvisoryWondering about Desert Kickboxer age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Desert Kickboxer is 86 minutes (1h 26m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 3.9/10, and global performance metrics, Desert Kickboxer is classified as a FLOP. It remains an essential part of the 1992 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Desert Kickboxer worth watching?
Desert Kickboxer is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 3.9/10 and stands as a FLOP in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Desert Kickboxer parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Desert Kickboxer identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Desert Kickboxer?
The total duration of Desert Kickboxer is 86 minutes, which is approximately 1h 26m long.
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Critic Reviews for Desert Kickboxer
As the home video boom of the 1980's began to wind down, many smaller studios were still churning out straight-to-video flicks for a fraction of the budgets of large studio films. Unfortunately, the quality suffers as well, with a prime example being "Desert Kickboxer," also known as "Desert Hawk." John Newton is Hawk, a mixed-race Navajo who lives by himself in the desert. He arrests random pot dealers for Sheriff Larry (Biff Manard), all while having flashbacks to a kickboxing match where he let rage get the better of him and killed his opponent. In the meantime, across the nearby border in Mexico, accountant Claudia (Judie Aronson) has embezzled some money from drug lord Santos (Paul L. Smith), and she and her special needs brother Anthony (Sam DeFrancisco) flee with assorted henchmen and Santos in pursuit. Hawk takes Claudia and Anthony into custody before realizing they are not criminals, and the trio fight off the baddies while trying to survive the harsh desert conditions. Menahem Golan of Cannon Studios fame brings us another cheesy actioner that gets sillier as it goes along. Two characters survive point-blank gunshot wounds. Santos is more cuddly than menacing. Newton's Hawk is a bland blank. When he isn't kicking butt and having ringside flashbacks, the film drags to a crawl. Director Florentine obviously had zero budget here, the cast is tiny, and I couldn't care less about the plot. Golan's formula for cheap entertainment was stale at this point, and despite some eye-rollingly ridiculous scenes, there is no fun to be had. You can see the shadows of the film crew in the foreground of the climactic fight, which always takes the viewer out of the picture. The Native American/indigenous peoples angle is tossed in to try to be different, and is unnecessary. This was a blind grab out of a bin of VHS video cassettes I had in a storage room; maybe I should start being pickier about my late night entertainment choices.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.













