Virtual Combat aka Grid Runners (1995) starring Don "The Dragon" Wilson and Michael Bernardo

High concept meets low budget in this bonkers mishmash of virtual reality, cyborg hunting, video games, and martial arts tournaments from director Andrew Stevens (whose mom, Stella, pops up as our hero's virtual assistant).

The charisma-free Don “The Dragon” Wilson stars as David Quarry, a “Grid Runner” who protects the borders in a slightly futuristic vision of the western United States. One of the fringe benefits of Quarry’s gig is unlimited use of a virtual reality system overseen by Dr. Cameron (old-time movie star Turhan Bey). But while Quarry’s partner John (Ken McCleod) enjoys the fruits of cyber-sex, the by-the-book Quarry prefers to battle martial arts opponents in a virtual reality tournament he can never quite win.

But things get real when Dr. Cameron discovers a way to use a tub full of neon slime to bring the virtual creations to life. When Cameron’s boss sees what the goo can do, he immediately has him create two of the cyber-babes in order to make a fortune selling obedient sex slaves to rich weirdoes. What Cameron doesn’t know is that the goo has also unleashed Dante (Michael Bernardo), Quarry’s unbeatable adversary from the dreaded Level 10, who has designs on bringing his fellow VR baddies into this world.

Will Quarry defeat Dante and his minions before its too late? Can a Grid Runner find true love with a virtual reality sex-bot? Why does slightly futuristic Las Vegas look just like it did in 1995, except everybody has an oversized flip phone? How come Dante sounds just like the Klingon from STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION? And, wait, was that the disembodied head of Rip Taylor?

You’ll barely have time to ponder these questions as VIRTUAL COMBAT zips along from one ridiculous scene to the next and efficiently wraps itself up in 87 minutes. – Dan Taylor