Max Havoc: Ring of Fire (2006) - a Movie Review

Max Havoc: Ring of Fire stars Mickey Hardt as Max Havoc, a former kick-boxing champion who is now a now a world class photographer. Max is in some foreign country (I think Paris) to take pictures of beautiful tennis star Suzie Blaine played by Christina Cox. While on assignment, Max discovers a crime ring that is intent on driving the locals away so that the head baddie, named Tiger, can build a huge resort. Max uses his wit and skills to save the day. Warning: my movie review contains plot spoilers.

Max Havoc: Ring of Fire is not a bad movie but definitely not one I would watch twice. I only rented the movie because Dean Cain stars in the movie too. Dean Cain plays Roger Tarso, the owner of the resort that Max and Suzie are staying in. Besides vying for Suzie's attention with Max, Roger is also busy being the head baddie Tiger. Of course Max wins the girl, which ticks Roger off even more. Roger has a deep desire to kick Max's butt after a bar fight some years ago ended in a draw. Roger has some elaborate plan to frame Max for a murder, kill Max in a hand to hand combat fight, and even kill Suzie since she didn't pick him. Dean Cain looks extremely cute in dyed blonde hair but I just didn't get the "evil" vibe from him. I don't think he plays bad guys very well. Or perhaps I have seen too many movies of Dean being the hero so I have a hard time seeing him be the baddie. Either way, he wasn't that impressive in the film.

Rae Dawn Chong plays Sister Caroline, the owner of a mission who takes in orphans. One of her orphans Emile steals Max's camera in the beginning of the film. After an elaborate chase, Max gets his camera back and befriends Emile. Emile is played Samuel Patrick Chu. The sub plot involving Emile and Max is interesting but I was disturbed by Rae Dawn Chong. Either she has aged terribly or the make-up artists need to be fired. I know she played a nun but there was no reason to make her look like a dirty bag lady.

Max Havoc: Ring of Fire does have some pretty good fight scenes. I really wasn't impressed with the lead actor Mickey Hardt but the plot was interesting. I give the movie 3 out of 5 stars.