Shaolin Wooden Men

 One of Jackie's more earlier films before his eye surgery.. noentheless very entertaining. Lacks a lot of humor but does perfectly when there is a little bit. Very interesting plot and good fight choreography.

RATING: 9/10

Armour of God

 I remember putting off Armour of God because of the beginning tribe scene. But this is somewhat a great movie without all of the raunchy humor. This movie unfortunately has the least fight footage of the Chan movies I've watched which is disappointing to me. But we get to see one of Jackie's best stunts - jumping off a cliff onto a hot-air balloon! That alone gives it extra points. Yeah, but Alan's songs are very good, especially Lorelei. Really made the outtakes more exciting.

9/10

Enter the Fat Dragon

 Sammo Hung's action movie form of a tribute to legend Bruce Lee who he previously worked with in Enter the Dragon. Enter the Fat Dragon's fight scenes are some of the best I've ever seen from Sammo Hung. Amazing how with his weight he is so fluent. The humor is also pretty neat too, as well as the soundtrack.

When I can, I'm watching SKINNY TIGER, FAT DRAGON.

10/10

Kung Fu Hustle

 A great mix of cartoony with wonderful action, a great morale, subtle references to Lee's films such as FIST OF FURY and WAY OF THE DRAGON. For anyone who is a martial arts enthusiast, this is the film for you.

10/10

Beverly Hills Cop III

 My second favourite BHC film. Felt slightly more childish because of Wonder World, but I absolutely love this movie!! Wish there were more uses of Axel F, and I wanted Taggart back. 

10/10

Beverly Hills Cop II

 Probably my least favourite entry to the series - the last fight scene with the guns and everything was pretty cool but everything else was extremely dull and hard to remember. If you can't remember the movie, don't bother to since that means it was probably really boring. And that's what this film was. Really boring.

5/10

Beverly Hills Cop

 I watched this film during school holidays a while ago and I really liked it. I don't know who wrote it but they are a fricking genius because this movie is great. Most people only watched it for the comedy but I watched it for the action, and appreciated both aspects of the movie.

Amazing soundtrack too.

10/10

Back To The Drawing Board: The Karate Kid Part III

 Release date: August 17, 1989

Rated PG (15+)

Now we're talking.. this Karate Kid is once again an All Valley tournament and takes place in the location from the first film. But is it really that good? Ehh.

The fight scenes and story are pretty good, but the action department is mediocre, especially the final fight scene. Mike Barnes really should've won. Daniel would have lost if the film was realistic.

 The plot twist in this film was pretty predictable and it wasn't as surprising. This film introduced Terry Silver to the Cobra Kai series, the evil moron he is.

Anyways, I still cannot get myself to completely hate this film, so I give it a 

Rating: 9/10 

 

A Whole New World, Old Characters: The Karate Kid Part II

Release date: July 31, 1986

Rated PG (15+) 

Oh waa blah blah blah the Karate Kid 2 is such a bad sequel blah blah- SHUT THE HELL UP. THIS MOVIE IS A MASTERPIECE. IT IS CRIMINNALLY UNDERATED. I WILL DEFEND IT UNTIL I DIE. HELL, I MAY EVEN DEFEND IT AFTER I DIE. 

So, I will admit, this film and it's predecessor are two completely different ideas. They take place miles away. The first one is about a boy competing in a Kung Fu tournament to prove to his bully he's strong. And this one is about that boy traveling to Japan with his master.

So of course, this film has such a different feel to it and a very unique story that's hard to follow. And I'm honestly digging it.

 

I enjoyed every fight in this film heavily. Every action sequence, every plot twist. I watched it and I loved it. Hell, I might even watch the movie again. Get it on DVD AND Blu-Ray.

Rating: 10/10

 

Cobra Kai - The Film: Is The Karate Kid That Great?

 

    Release date: Oct 27, 1984

Rated PG (15+)

AAAAARRRGGGH.

After watching the Cobra Kai series and the Jacky Chan remake, I eventually figured it was time to watch the original. Was I dazzled? No. Was I dissapointed? No.

With a cliched plot that has been copied from probably over a million films, this film is tiring in terms of plot and term of action.

With slow but for some reason, still painful hits, the action department of this film was a bit of a fail, just as with the emotion department. LaRusso is the victim of bullying while simultaneously a literal JERK. You really fail to feel bad for him, unlike with Jaden Smith, a wonderful actor and terrible rapper. Ralph Macchio didn't take on a dog poop music career, which is why I still have a hint of sympathy for him.

He yells at his mother and his kung fu teacher, Mr. Miyagi, who looks ancient but unconvincingly still can kick butt. Huh? 

My god. My opinions of this films go up and down like a Ferris Wheel. I love it! Nah, it's bad. NOW I LOVE IT! And I hate it. JUST PICK ONE, ME!

Yeah, I love it.

Rating: 7/10

JC & JC collaborate in Hidden Strike

 

 Produced by & starring Jackie Chan

Directed by    Scott Waugh
Written by    Arash Amel
Produced by   

    Esmond Ren
    Hans Canosa
    Joe Tam

Starring   

    John Cena
    Pilou Asbaek
    Ma Chunrui

Cinematography    Tony Cheung
Edited by    Scott Waugh
Music by    Nathan Furst
Production
companies
    
Changchun Film Studio

    XYZ Films
    FilmsHuaxia Film Distribution
    Epitome
    Talent International Media
    Flame Pictures Company

Distributed by Netflix
Release date: July 28, 2023

Synopsis

Two ex-special forces soldiers must escort a group of civilians along Baghdad's "Highway of Death" to the safety of the Green Zone.

Review

Let's talk about the story. The story reminds me of the 1973 classic "Enter the Dragon". But this film is nothing like that.

Let's talk about the two main stars. Jackie Chan & John Cena, what a random duo. This would surely turn out to be a horrible movie, right? Well, no. Chan and Cena have some good chemistry and great lines in the bloopers and the movie.

Let's talk about the action. The action is enjoyable, but really nothing special. It becomes less special when you release Jackie was 64 at the time this was filmed, so all his performances are mostly stunt doubles. This is an average run of the mill one of his movies where the idea of having him in a role is cool but the movie doesn't turn out to be that cool.

The dialogue is pretty funny, I can say that. But I can ALSO say that this movie relies on the dialogue and none of the action, really. There's no cool tricks or kicking, just guns and running and random punching.

I can say the film could have been a lot better but still pretty enjoyable.

Rating: 5.5/10

 

Bruce Lee is Blood And Steels in ENTER THE DRAGON

 

Starring, written and choreographed by BRUCE LEE

a ROBERT CLAUSE film
Written by    Michael Allin
Produced by    

    Fred Weintraub
    Paul Heller
    Raymond Chow

Starring    

    Bruce Lee
    John Saxon
    Ahna Capri
    Bob Wall
    Shih Kien
    Jim Kelly

Cinematography    Gilbert Hubbs
Edited by    

    Kurt Hirschler
    George Watters
    Peter Cheung

Music by    Lalo Schifrin
Production
companies
    

    Sequoia Pictures
    Concord Production Inc.
    Warner Bros.

Distributed by    

    Golden Harvest (Hong Kong)
    Warner Bros. (International)

Release dates
    

    26 July 1973 (Hong Kong)

    19 August 1973 (United States)

August 1973 (Australia)

 

Synopsis

 Lee plays a martial-arts expert determined to help capture the narcotics dealer whose gang was responsible for the death of his sister. Lee enters a kung fu competition in an attempt to fight his way to the dealer's headquarters with the help of some friends.

Review

Bruce Lee's final film, "Enter The Dragon" was the first movie to be produced by a major Hollywood company, Warner Brothers. So other companies tried to cash in the fame such as National General Pictures, re-relasing The Big Boss as Fists Of Fury like Bryanstron Productions, which in 1974, released Way of Dragon as The Return of the Dragon. This film sure does crap on Return of the Dragon (just a joke. I love both films) or whatever you call it.

Yesterday (January 25, 2023) I went to the home video shop to get some movies. They only had Enter the Dragon on Blu-Ray, resulting in my first Blu-ray. And gosh, do I love this film. If I had the chance I'd rewatch it! (I'll do it another day.) 

The film has some appearances from Sammo Hung (he gets to fight Bruce Lee) and Jackie Chan (he gets to get a butt-whupping by Lee) This film is so amazing I'm doubting it being made by humans. You can feel every single hit through the screen!

Jim Kelly's character dies not long into the movie, but his lines feel natural, and he brings a light hearted feel to the movie, but this isn't a comedy. Just some really good action and dialogue from the actors.

 

Not to mention the funky Lalo Schrifin soundtrack, which got 5 hundred thousand copies sold. Enter the Dragon has a soundtrack that uses a lot of bass and piano, and it has resemblance to Kevin Bassinson's score for Police Story, but this is actually way better. Shih Khen has a wonderful performance as a villian

The choreography by Bruce is the best in all of his movies, and that counts Game of Death II (I've never watched Game of Death.). This film is an absolute masterpiece and you NEED to watch it. I know that whenever an actor's films is really popular like Rumble in the Bronx [Jackie Chan] and Lethal Weapon III [Joe Pesci] It turns out to be crappy. But, trust me. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. Enter the Dragon is one of the best movies in the world. I don't care rather it's with piracy, VHS, DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, Netflix, WATCH THE GODDAMN FILM!!

Rating: 10/10 (best. bruce lee film. EVER!!!)

SUB VS. DUB #1: Police Story (Fortune Star's 2010 Japanese Blu-Ray vs. Cinema Group's 1988 American VHS)

Police Story is the 1985 Hong Kong movie that people love so much that it has 2 re-edits and 4 dubs. Today we're going to be looking at one of those re-edits, the 1986 international export dub!

Original version is the Japanese Bluray on the 2010 Fortune Star DVD. I figure since the credits say 2010 on the SBS on Demand version it's the right release. 

Trailers

Export Trailer

1986

Media Asia

International

 Theatrical trailer

1985 

Media Asia

Hong Kong

The Hong Kong trailer - spoils all the big stunts but doesn't actually tell you anything about the movie. Also is way too long, a trailer should be 1 minutes & 30 seconds at max if it's in cinema. Of course, the background music "Hero Story" by Jackie Chan is completely amazing, but it's in Cantonese, and the trailer has no subtitles (this is a DVD version on the video so that's why it does) That might suck if you watched the movie and weren't from China. 7/10

The USA trailer - Gives away the plot in a good, short, sweet way that is easy to understand and that doesn't spoil much at all with amazing kick-butt music by Kevin Bassington. The trailer also shows clips that will make the average viewer hella excited to watch the film. 10/10

VIDEO QUALITY

BLU-RAY

 VHS

 So.. how is it that a VHS released 22 years before a Blu-Ray has better color quality? 

 

SCRIPT 

On the SBS on Demand version, the script adds a bunch of un-needed, unnatural words. The re-release also adds some unnecessary profane words like "b1tch" which actually makes Kevin sound like a jerk and it turn, makes the scenes with May more funnier. The re-dub actually has funnier dialogue, as well. I guess it's better when you understand the language.

In turn - the re-dub script's better.

CUT / SWAPPED SCENES 

The US dub has a lot of cut scenes, so I will list every cut scene here.    

• All the scenes with the agitated Frank (the cop who shoots a mirror). A few seconds of Kevin after one of the scenes.

  
  
  
  

• The photo-shoot scene is cut out, thus resulting in 47 seconds of the film gone.
• In the Hong Kong version during the fake murder attempt, you get more shots of tired Selina. 
• Mars bumping his head on the lights.
  
• Kevin biting his way into the mask.
• 46 seconds in the courtroom are removed.
  
• Koo watching Kevin on the news in his office.
• The entire phone scene. However, a few seconds before this scene (Kevin getting told what to do, asking a question, getting an answer and talking to a cop who works for Chu on the phone and telling him he only has 3 days.) are still there.
• The angry speech Kevin makes in Li's office.  

The Japanese version is 1 hour & 48 minutes.

The original Hong Kong version is 1 hour & 36 minutes. 

The export version is 1 hour and 27 minutes.

13 minutes have been cut out from the theatrical version.

ADDED SCENES

In the US theatrical version, a shot of Selina clicking "record" on the tape recorder is added. 1 second long, which does fix a minor minor MINOR plothole.

 MUSIC

The original score is composed by Lai Siu-tin, and the re-dub score is composed by Kevin Bassington.

Lai-Siu Tin's score - Inspired by the main theme song, and has a lot of re-used tracks. Still a banger and is definetly worth listening too. Especially the tracks with Ondes Martinot.

Bassington's score - A slap-bass synthesizer score that is incredibly 80s and satisfying to listen too. Sometimes a bit of the instruments get a little bit annoying and go on for a while though.

Lai Siu Tin's score: 11/10

Bassington's score: 7/10

COVERS

VHS

 BLU-RAY

The VHS cover is more exciting and summarizes up the film on the back well. 

OVERALL: THE RE-DUB VHS FROM 1988 WINS!!

 

Beneath the Dragon's Shadow: A Review of The Heroic Trio

 



a JOHNNY TO film

Screenplay by    Sandy Shaw
Produced by    Ching Siu-tung
Starring   
    Michelle Yeoh
    Anita Mui
    Maggie Cheung
    Damian Lau
Cinematography   
    Poon Hang-Sang
    Tom Lau
Edited by Kam Wah
Music by William Hu
Production
companies
    
    China Entertainment Films
    Paka Hill Productions
Release date: 12 February 1993 (Hong Kong)

Synopsis

Michelle Yeoh (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), Anita Mui (Rumble in the Bronx) and Maggie Cheung (Clean) form an unstoppable combination as three powerful martial arts experts each with her own secret superhero identity-who band together to battle the ultimate evil. Their foe is a demented but powerful wizard who believes that if he kidnaps all the babies in China, he can build a demonic ruling class and eventually dominate the world. With everything on the line, it's up to The Heroic Trio of Shadow Fox, Mercy and Invisible Woman to rise up and stop him.

Review

Suspend your disbelief and get ready for some wondrous entertainment.

Wow. This is a very unique film. With at times, some very amazing work with wires and crappy editing and weird flashbacks and CGI, this is a pretty solid foreign superhero movie. I'm pretty sure when everyone thinks of a superhero movie that wasn't produced in the United States, they think of those Bollywood films with bad acting, unrealistic scenes and bad CGI. Well, this film is nothing like that. With cringe-inducing fight scenes and a powerful soundtrack, The Heroic Trio is a film that will not dissapoint you! Maggie Cheung was introduced to the Girl with Gun sub-genre in this film and hell does she have a good performance. No joke, I was like "What the hell's Ka-Kui's girlfriend doing with a gun??" when I first saw her in the movie. But don't take my dumb joke for your final opinion, watch the film yourself!

Rating: 8/10

WATCH

"THE HEROIC TRIO"

ON 

 https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movie/the-heroic-trio/2240022595543 (Cantonese audio, English subtitles)

Miramax 2002 re-release trailer

---------------------------------------------

NOW INTRODUCING - SUB VS. DUB!

 Welcome to Action Movie Review Mondays.. of course, you know what site you're on. 

Now, in-between the regular action film reviews, we also get to see comparisons of action movies with more then two main versions. So far, on the time-line we have:

DRUNKEN MASTER II vs. THE LEGEND OF DRUNKEN MASTER

POLICE STORY (2010 Fortune Star DVD) vs. JACKIE CHAN'S POLICE FORCE

OPERATION CONDOR 2: THE ARMOUR OF THE GODS vs. ARMOUR OF GOD

So keep out for that!!

The Karate Kid - A classic redefined for new generations

 

Directed byHarald Zwart
Screenplay by    Christopher Murphey
Story by    Robert Mark Kamen
Produced by   
    Jerry Weintraub
    Will Smith
    Jada Pinkett Smith
    James Lassiter
    Ken Stovitz
Starring   
    Jaden Smith
    Jackie Chan
    Taraji P. Henson
Cinematography    Roger Pratt
Edited by    Joel Negron
Music by  James Horner
Production
companies
    
    Columbia Pictures
    China Film Group

Overbrook Entertainment

JW Productions
Distributed by Sony Pictures Releasing

Release date (Australia): July 8, 2010

Synopsis

When Dre Parker (Jaden Smith) and his mother (Taraji P. Henson) move from Detroit to China, Dre feels lost in a world very different from what he knows. Bullied and beaten up by some fellow students in his school, Dre is rescued by his apartment building's handyman, Mr. Han (Jackie Chan), a man who is mourning
a devastating loss. Mr. Han takes pity on Dre and agrees to teach him kung fu to defend himself. Training together, teacher and student learn to trust each other, and ultimately form a friendship that heals them both.

   Review 

Okay, so my opinions on this film are HIGHLY ridden by nostalgia, the first time I watched this was in 2019. I remember those days. Re-watching this movie, using Incredibox on my Dad's laptop, twirling around in the chair, the air-con on, researching Bruce Lee.. ahh. But nevertheless, it is a good movie.

The Karate Kid is one of the most highly-known American action drama films ever, especially the first three films from 1984, '86, and '89. The 2010 sequel is the least discussed film.. oh.. yeah. Next Karate Kid 1994. Never mind. Anyways, the Karate Kid 2010 is a reboot starring Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith which is hated, but in my opinion pretty good. 

I think the acting in this movie is realistic and natural, and Mr Han's backstory makes the film better and there is also a lesson in the film thanks to the scenes. The direction with the music is amazing. The soundtrack makes the film feel better, unlike other films I've watched, with the soundtrack not being good enough. This is perfect.

Anyways, good film.

Rating: 8/10

 

 

Royal Warriors - Crime, sadness, and some butt-kicking

 

executive producer.............................Dickson Poon

producer..................................................John Sham

director......................................David Chung

starring..........................................Michelle Yeoh

                                                         Henry Sanada

                                                         Micheal Wong

Distributed by.........................................D&B Films

Synopsis

When a Hong Kong policewoman, a Japanese Interpol-agent and an air security officer botch a plane hijacking fempt by a militia fanatic, his veteran friends vow revenge. In order to stop the terrorist attacks and also to save their own lives, the three heroes most team up once again to fight their gun-totting adversaries.

Review

The morning I wrote this, I woke up early today so I could get in my fix on action movies. The first movie I watched was Royal Warriors, which is the sequel to Yes, Madam! The movie met my exceptions.
 

Sure the movie is now missing Carrie, Aspirin (Mang Hoi who portrayed Aspirin directed the action choreography in this movie and won a Hong Kong Film Award for it.) & Strepsil, now bringing a less humourous feeling to the movie. But all the action and scenes with Micheal Wong make up for it! 

This movie is in particular one of the greatest Michelle Yeoh movies ever. If you have an old copy lying around, you need to pop it in your PS3 and watch it immediately.  I recommend watching the film for the shootout and the final fight. You can feel the anger in the three main characters during these two scenes. The acting is natural and great!

Rating: 9.5/10

WATCH

 'ROYAL WARRIORS' 

aka

"IN THE LINE OF DUTY"

aka 

"POLICE ASSASSINS"

at the 

https://archive.org/details/in-the-line-of-duty-2-royal-warriors 

(Tai Seng VHS rip version)

Export Trailer

End of Believe series [So far]

 Due to unpopular demand, the series with Believe has stopped and no new episodes will come.. until next time!

A review of the 1986 Michelle Yeoh film "Royal Warriors" will come out instead.

If I have more episodes lying around soon I'll do it again.

However, a new series is coming soon [not featuring any of my family members]..

Interviewing my brother on Spider-Man 2

 -i was in a loud place while transcribing this, so apologies if you can't understand-

 O: They say sequels are better then the original. Well, nobody says that, except me. But it's not about me. Today we're going to be seeing what my brother thinks about Spider-Man 2, the SAM RAIMI one.

B: Wow.

O: laughs So, who is your favourite character?

B: Umm, octo-plays. I'm joking. Uh, obviously the main character, cause he's Spider-Man.

O:  Who was your LEAST favourite character?

B: I don't know! All the characters were 10/10 to be honest. 

O: Really? Even the villians?

B: Yeah.

O: Why do you say that?

B: Because the villains are on top and Spider-Man's on top too, and his Grandma on top too, so basically everyone's on top.

O: Who was your favou- NO. What was your favourite scene?

B: Basically, I don't have any favourite scenes.

O: What was your least favourite scene?

B: I don't have a least favourite scene.

O: So you think every scene is good and bad at the same time?

B: Yeah.

O: WHA- If they ever made a Spider-Man 2 II, would you wa-

B: NO??? 

O: laughs Okay, and lastly, what is your overall rating of Spider-Man 2?

B: Um, probably.. probably 8.

O: What did it need to make it a ten?

B: I'm not telling you.

O: Why? I'm your brother. 

B: I hate Mary-Jane.

O: laughs Honestly, I do too. But it's still-

B: Wait, wait, wait, I should've said every character was good except Mary-Jane.

O: Yeah, I hate Mary-Jane, but it's not about me, it's about Believe, and we're going to see more of his opinions on ACTION.. MOVIE..

B: TOTALL.. DRAMA...

O: ACTION MOVIE REVIEW.. mONdAAAySSS

Interviewing my brother, Believe on RUSH HOUR 2

O: Rush Hour 2! The sequel to my brother's favourite Jackie Chan movie. So let's start. Is this movie better then Rush Hour 1?

 

B: No.

O: Why do you think that?

B: Because Rush Hour 1 is a classic. 

O: Really?

B: Yeah.

O: A 2011 KID. SAYING A 1999 MOVIE IS A CLASSIC.

B: And you say Tobey Maguire has the best Spider-Man movies.

O: Shut up. Okay. Secondly, who was your favourite character?

 

B: My favourite character..

O: In Rush Hour 2.

B: Carter.

O: Really??

B: Yeah.

O: Every single Rush Hour movie, and Car- okay. Why?

B: Because Carter on top, bro.

O: What was your favourite scene?

B: I don't know. OH WAIT- when Jackie Chan says the N-word. OHH, was that in the-

O: Yes, that was in Part ONE!

B: Oh. Okay.

O: So what was your favourite scene in Part 2?

 

B: Favourite scene? I don't know. OH, WAIT, WAIT. Where, uh, Carter tries to rizz the girl up when they're fighting.

O: Nahh bro. Yeah, that scene. Carter has negative rizz. I'm sorry for saying the word 'rizz' on an action movie review blog. If they ever made a Part 2 to a Part 2, which in this case is Rush Hour 2, would you watch it?

B: No?? That's so stupid. laughs

O: Okay, what would you rate RUSH HOUR II out of ten? 

B: Five.

O: What did it need to make it a 10?

B: Five... more people.

O: laughs Okay thank you for watching, bye.