Few titles have been more eagerly awaited that this sequel to 1989’s View To a Thrill. And for good reasons – the original title boasted an all-star cast, high production values, hot action, state-of-the-art technical quality, and a plot, reminiscent of James Bond films, that stopped in mid-stream.

All of these qualities apply equally to Man With a Golden Rod, including an unresolved plot. But this time writer Allister Crane has provided a genuine cliffhanger instead of a so-so interlude for the conclusion: Is newcomer Blade Thompson a bad guy, out to steal the royal jewels, or is he a double agent for the British? We’ll all have to wait until the end of the year (when the final entry is scheduled for release) to learn the answer. In addition to a better script, this sequel also contains one scene that is raised to the level of videographic art by expert editing: the cleverly choreographed and finely acted “underwater” solo by Dcota, overlaid by double exposure with Dcota’s seduction of Rex Chandler. Dcota has never looked so good – or performed so seductively.

But for most viewers, the most obvious advantage of the sequel will be the debut of Blade Thompson, who combines the ruggedness of a young Steve McQueen with a screen presence uniquely his own. Thompson wrote as well as performs the rap song that opens the video – and it’s a marvel of erotic intensity, both verbally and visually. Add to this a sexual versatility that is delightfully surprising, a winning way with dialogue, and the rare ability to stay in character even during the sex scenes (among current stars, only Ryan Yeager has consistently demonstrated the same talent). The sum total spells “super star” – and Thompson steals this video without even stretching.