[Fight Scene Friday] NO WAY OUT (2020)

 The last Fight Scene Friday™ of 2022 is a gritty short film by Max Huang and his stunt team! You may know Max Huang from Mortal Kombat (2021) in which he played Kung Lao, and he is a member of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team. Here he plays an ex-convict going undercover to bust a drug cartel. As you can imagine, things go wrong and he has to fight for his life to survive. This short is awesome; not just for the action, but for the story as well. Check it out!

 

[Multimedia Monday] Christmas Haul

 It was Christmas yesterday, and I actually got a gift this year (that I didn't buy for myself)! I got a He-Man action figure from my sister! Check this bad boy out:

The rush of nostalgia I felt when I saw this!

I'm going to be needing the rest of those action figures, thank you very much.

He-Man deserves his close up:

Forty years later and He-Man is still looking good! Somehow he looks better!

I was not expecting this at all! When I first uncovered it, I really wanted to open it up and play with it! I refrained, and I've got it displayed next to my Power Rangers Funko Pops.

I loved He-Man and the Masters Of The Universe when I was younger. My brother and I had a bunch of the action figures, along with Snake Mountain (Skeletor's hideout). We never had a He-Man action figure, though, just Prince Adam (who we used as He-Man anyways).

I had no idea they were releasing updated versions of classic Masters of The Universe figures. This figure looks so awesome! It does seem slightly smaller than the original figures (though looking it up, it seems to be the same size as the original figures), and He-Man has joints on his arms and legs (which the originals did not have). That is not a problem or a criticism of the figure; I think it is beautiful! I like this figure a lot! I want to play with it! I need Skeletor now!

Tokyo Godfathers (2003) - A Review

 

Tokyo Godfathers is a different kind of Christmas movie.

Tokyo Godfathers is a dramatic comedy animated (anime) movie released in Japan in 2003. It was written (along with Keiko Nobumoto) and directed by Satoshi Kon and features the voice talents of Yoshiaki Umegaki, Tōru Emori, Aya Okamoto, and Satomi Kōrogi.

From left: Gin, Miyuki (with Kiyoko), and Hana.

 In Tokyo Godfathers, three unhoused people, Gin (voiced by Tōru Emori), Hana (voiced by Yoshiaki Umegaki) and Miyuki (voiced by Aya Okamoto) find a newborn baby in trash nearby on Christmas Eve. With the baby is note saying to take care of her, and a key that leads to clues to who the parents are. Hana, a dramatic transgender woman, wants to find the parents. Gin, an alcoholic gambler, wants to take the baby to the police. Miyuki, a teenage runaway, also wants to take the baby to the police, but she goes along with Hana's plan.

Naming the baby Kiyoko, they care of her as they make their way across the city in search of her parents. Along the way, our trio encounter some very coincidental incidents. Frankly, you could call these coincidences miracles. We find out their tragic back stories, and why they ended up in their current situation. These coincidences and their pasts intertwine to bring them closer and closer to their goal...

Like family, Gin, Miyuki, and Hana argue a lot.

Tokyo Godfathers is a beautifully animated movie, with an engaging and interesting story. The characters are complex and flawed but likable; you will hope for the best for them throughout the movie. Though a lot of the situations are somewhat serious, there is a lot of comedy in Tokyo Godfathers as well. Hana's over-emotional personality is humorous (and makes her very likable), as well as some of the situations they find themselves in. Not everything is a joke, though. The main characters are portrayed respectfully (though some of the other characters they meet are not respectful to them). Gin, Hana, and Miyuki are basically a family, though they are not related.

The situations Gin, Miyuki, and Hana get into are pretty surreal.

The animation (meaning 'fluidity of movement') is excellent; everything moves smoothly and realistically. The character design is semi-realistic, with more cartoonish flourishes during highly emotional reactions from the characters. I really like how the characters look in this, as well as the 'world' they live in. The voice acting (I watched it in its original language, with subtitles) is superb. The characters all talk realistically and naturally, with some great vocal touches that make the characters seem like real people. This movie is just art.

As you can imagine, I highly recommend watching Tokyo Godfathers! It has a touching story, interesting characters, comedy, drama, tragedy, and adventure. There are some violent scenes (and nudity) but those aren't the focal points of the movie. The movie is about family and about facing the past. The plot takes some twists and turns, too. It can get quite emotional as well. Tokyo Godfathers will leave you wondering, was everything happening by pure coincidence or was it all a miracle? Satoshi Kon was one talented person! We are lucky he left us this beautiful piece of art.

Reviewed by David Williams

Super Bodyguard A.K.A. Iron Protector (2016) - A Review

 

Super Bodyguard was a pleasant surprise. Lots of crazy action in this one!

Super Bodyguard (also known as The Bodyguard and Iron Protector) is a martial arts/action movie released in China in 2016, and stars Yue Song, Li Yu-Fei, Xing Yu, Collin Chou Ngai Sing, and Michael Chan Wai-Man. It was written and directed by Yue Song, with action directed by Xing Yu.

     Yue Song as Wu Lin, a very powerful martial artist.

In Super Bodyguard, Yue Song plays Wu Lin, a master of the Iron Feet style of martial arts. He has to wear iron boots on his feet for ten years as part of his training. One day he saves a man being attacked by thugs in an alley. Wouldn't you know it, Wu Lin's fellow martial arts friend, Li Jiang (played by Xing Yu), shows up to offer him a job as a bodyguard for the man he saved... or actually the man's daughter. As you can imagine, the man's daughter, Li Fei Fei (played by Li Yu-Fei) is a bit of a wild child party girl, loves Goldeneye, and hates bodyguards . She gives Wu Lin a lot of trouble...until she doesn't.

Li Fei Fei's father has enacted a plan which has made him and his daughter targets. Li Jiang is jealous that he wasn't chosen as the one to learn the Iron Feet style, and wants to prove he can beat Wu Lin with his Iron Fist style. Li Jiang is also in business with some shady people. With all this going on, Li Fei Fei and her father are kidnapped, and Wu Lin (who, as part of his martial arts code, devotes his life to protect Li Fei Fei) makes it his mission to rescue them.

Wu Lin devotes his life to protecting Fei Fei.

I really did not know what to expect when watching Super Bodyguard. I saw the Blu-Ray for sale at the store a few years ago, and for some reason I never bought it. It had an awesome red cover, so I always looked at it, but I just never went for it. I deeply regret that now. This movie has some great action! The story is a bit basic, but that is okay when there is so much action in it. We do find out how and why Wu Lin is the way he is, and what causes him to be such a righteous person. We also find out what motivates Li Jiang, and how he became who he is. They both have dark pasts... There is a little comedy, though some of it is a bit awkward. If you don't like the plot, stay for the action!

The action in Super Bodyguard is hard-hitting!

Super Bodyguard is filled to the brim with action! You get an idea of what type of action it will have in the first fight scene, when Wu Lin saves Li Fei Fei's father from a bunch of thugs. Wu Lin wrecks those guys! He sends them flying with his punches and kicks, and there are a lot of unprotected strikes to the face and head. The thugs go flying into crates and steel drums, damaging them. Then there is a cool chase scene where Wu Lin has to chase after a van, and he uses his highly developed martial arts skills to catch up to it. Very reminiscent of a scene Jackie Chan would do back in the day. The final fight scene is where Wu Lin goes all out against about fifty bodyguards. You can imagine how great this is! You have to see it for yourself, it's really fast and hard-hitting. Overall, the fight scenes are worth the price of admission (though a lot of reviews dislike the quick cuts during the fights. These are done to highlight the strikes hitting their targets: the face and head. Usually I don't like random quick cuts, but these ones have a purpose. Just be prepared for that.)

I really enjoyed Super Bodyguard! I recommend this movie to those who are looking for an easy movie to get through that will give you a decent plot, cool visuals, and awesome action. I'd never heard of Yue Song before this, but now he is on my radar. Can't wait to see what he does next!

Reviewed by David Williams

[Fight Scene Friday] 5 Animals Kung Fu

 It's Fight Scene Friday™, and this week's fight scene is a display of 5 Animals style kung fu! The director, choreographer, and editor of this short film is Malay Kim, and it stars Jay Kwon, Bruce Inaba, and Ryu Minami. Very cool moves and choreography in this one, and the music rocks! Check it out!

(I could not find any Christmas-themed fight scenes, or at least good ones, to post today. This scene more than makes up for that!)

 

The Fist of the Condor (2023) - Trailer

 Check out the trailer for The Fist Of The Condor: Part One, starring Marko Zaror and Jose Manuel; and written, edited, and directed by Ernesto Díaz Espinoza. Here is the synopsis:

A group of martial artists from around the world are in search of a book containing ancient secrets on overcoming the limits of the human body. That book and its very knowledge is protected by its most impenetrable gatekeeper, the chosen guardian.

I have seen this being described as a movie and as a digital series, so I am not sure what to call it. Filming finishes early next year (2023), so we will have to wait and see how it all turns out. I am really optimistic about The Fist Of The Condor, it looks really interesting!

 

The Man From Nowhere (2010) - A Review

A cool, yet brutal, action movie.

 The Man From Nowhere is a thriller/action movie released in South Korea in 2010 and stars Won Bin, Kim Sae-ron, Kim Hee-won, Kim Sung-oh, Thanayong Wongtrakul, Kim Hyo-seo, and Song Young-chang. It was written and directed by Lee Jeong-beom, with action by Park Jung-ryul.

Won Bin as the dark and brooding Cha Tae-sik.

 In The Man From Nowhere, Won Bin plays Cha Tae-sik, a quiet, brooding man who runs a pawn shop. His only friend (though he is not really friendly) is a little girl named So-mi (played by Kim Sae-ron). She is a bit of an outcast, with no friends and an... unfit mother. Though Tae-sik seems very aloof towards So-Mi, he shows that he genuinely cares about her.

Kim Sae-ron as So-mi. She is really good in this!

 One day, two thugs show up in Tae-sik's apartment. They aggressively demand an item he has in his pawn shop. He gives them what they want, but he makes the thugs pay for threatening him. Unfortunately, So-mi and her mother are kidnapped, and the only way they will be released is by Tae-sik making a drug delivery to a crime boss (played by Song Young-chang). Tae-sik makes the delivery, but everything goes wrong; he gets arrested and he learns So-mi's life may be in serious danger. He escapes the police station and starts a brutal quest to rescue So-mi...

Thanayong Wongtrakul as Ramrowan; a ruthless assassin who is determined to kill Cha Tae-sik.

The Man From Nowhere is an excellent movie. Of course, with my vague synopsis, it doesn't sound that interesting, but trust me, the plot is gripping. The movie is dark, riveting, and violent. Just when you think the villains couldn't be any more evil, they sink to a new low. Throughout the movie, we find out why Cha Tae-sik is the way he is, and it makes sense why he is so driven to save So-mi. Won Bin as Tae-sik is amazing. Though Tae-sik is a man of few words, through Won Bin's performance, you can feel and understand what he's going through and what's driving him. Kim Sae-ron as So-mi is also great. For such a young person, her performance is phenomenal. So-mi is nice, caring, and funny all while hiding the pain of dealing with a 'troubled' mother and having no friends. Not going to lie, some of her scenes are heartbreaking and may bring you to tears (I almost cried, but I successfully held it in).

 This movie is full of violence and tragedy. It is a revenge movie, basically, and there is nothing wrong with that! I've read that it is similar to Man On Fire (2004) and John Wick (2014). With regard to Man On Fire, there are some similarities (the plot of a man rescuing a little girl, using brutal violence to find her), but The Man From Nowhere is its own movie (I still haven't seen John Wick, so I cannot compare the two). To think, I saw this movie on sale for a very long time at the store years ago, but I never bought it. I did not know what I was missing!

The action is brutal and bloody.

The Man From Nowhere has some brutal action scenes. Truthfully, there are not that many action or fight scenes, but when the action scenes do occur, they hit hard. Cha Tae-sik uses guns and (his opponent's) knives, but his main weapon is a small blade that he expertly uses. The way the fights are filmed and edited is similar to Batman Begins (2005) or The Bourne (2004-2016) movies (though not that bad); the fights are shot up close, and you don't really see any of the strikes connect. There is no shaky cam, thankfully, but it seems like some interesting moves are being performed, but you can't see their effect. The final fight is filmed and edited a little better; you can see more of what the fighters are doing and the effect it has on them. Despite all of this, the action is still brutal and exciting to watch.

 I highly recommend watching The Man From Nowhere. The plot is thrilling, the characters are interesting, and the action is brutal. This movie is very emotional, as well. You may cry during certain scenes. The Man From Nowhere is just a cool movie. Won Bin and Kim Sae-ron kill it in this film. It is also one of the best movies I've watched this year. Check it out!

 

 

 

 

Reviewed by David Williams

[Fight Scene Friday] ACTION/MARTIAL ARTS 80's Style Retribution, Jackie Chan,The Raid Style Short film

 It's Fight Scene Friday™, and this week's scene is inspired by Jackie Chan and the Raid movies! Swashbuckler Studio made this short film, and they really did a good job! Nice action and choreography, and a little humor! Check it out!

 

As Good as Dead (2022) - Official Trailer

 Check out the trailer for As Good As Dead, the latest movie starring (and written by) Michael Jai White.  Here is the synopsis:

Bryant (Michael Jai White), a man with a mysterious past moves to a small Mexican border-town to start over and live the simple life. While there, he reluctantly befriends a troubled local teen who has recently lost his mother and is being recruited by the local street gang. Bryant keeps the boy on the straight and narrow by introducing him to martial arts and taking on the role of mentor, teacher and father-figure. As the story unfolds we learn that Bryant is much more than a man who moved to Mexico to live the simple life. Bryant is running from a complex, violent past that he believes he left behind. As his past catches up with him, he is forced into a life and death struggle to clear his name, save the boy and get back all that he left behind.

This movie looks pretty interesting to me! I've got to check it out! As Good As Dead premieres in theaters and on digital December 16, 2022 (TOMORROW, as of this posting).

 

The Price We Pay (2023) - Official Trailer

 Check out the trailer for The Price We Pay, the latest movie from director  Ryûhei Kitamura and starring Stephen Dorff, Emile Hirsch, Gigi Zumbado, and Vernon Wells. Here is the official synopsis:

From the director of Midnight Meat Train comes this gripping thriller starring Emile Hirsch (Into the Wild) and Stephen Dorff (Blade). After an intense holdup at a pawnshop, Grace is taken hostage by the thieves. Forced to take refuge at a remote farmhouse late at night, they discover a secret dungeon with evidence of sadistic violence—and when “Grandfather” comes home, all hell breaks loose. Can Grace muster the courage to escape the gut-wrenching fates that befall her criminal companions?

Ryûhei Kitamura has directed many popular films in Japan, so it will be interesting to see how this one came out! The Price We Pay will be released digitally and on VOD January 10, 2023 and in select theaters on January 13, 2023.

 

SAKRA 《天龙八部之乔峰传》- (2023) Movie Trailer

 Here is the trailer for Śakra, Donnie Yen's latest movie! Donnie will be directing, producing, and starring in this, so you know this is a very important movie to him. According to The Hollywood Reporter , Śakra is "an adaptation of Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, a classic wuxia novel from 1963 that is considered one of the most influential works of martial arts fiction ever [...]  with Yen starring as martial arts master Qiao Feng, one of the central figures of the Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils story universe".

As you can see from the trailer, this movie looks like it is going to be incredible! I really want to watch this one! Śakra comes out January 16, 2023!

 

Shogun's Ninja (1980) - A Review

 

An underrated ninja/martial arts movie from Japan.

Shogun's Ninja is a martial arts/ninja movie released in Japan in 1980, starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Sonny Chiba, Yuki Ninagawa, Etsuko Shihomi, and Isao Natsuyagi. It was directed by Norifumi Suzuki, with Sonny Chiba directing the action.

Hiroyuki Sanada as Takamaru.

In Shogun's Ninja, Hiroyuki Sanada plays Momochi Takamaru, the heir to the leadership of the Momochi clan (and possibly the leader of a united Japan) who escaped to China after his father was murdered by the Iga clan. Takamaru's mother sends her son away with a dagger (that is passed down to the heir of the Momochi clan), and ends her life so the Iga clan cannot get any information from her. Shiranui Shōgen (played by Sonny Chiba) is in search of the Momochi clan daggers because they have a map to the Momochi clan's hidden cache of gold.

Ten years later, Takamaru comes back to Japan, in search of the man who killed his father. He meets up with his surviving childhood friends, and together they plan to get revenge. The girl who saved his life in China and introduced him to Chinese martial arts, Ai-Lian (played by Etsuko Shihomi) has also arrived in Japan, looking for him. Unbeknownst to Takamaru, his childhood friend Otsu (played by Yuki Ninagawa) survived and is now living as the sister of Hattori Hanzō (played by Isao Natsuyagi). Hattori also wants the daggers. Takamaru has many people on his side, but is it enough to defeat  Shiranui Shōgen and his shogun?

Sonny Chiba as Shiranui Shōgen.

Shogun's Ninja is a Japanese martial arts movie that goes all out in in every way. There is a lot of action, lots of cool scenery, lots of memorable moments, and lots of memorable characters. Hiroyuki Sanada, in his first lead role, plays a great hero. He gets to show his martial arts skills throughout, and even his dancing prowess as well. He is likable, and Takamaru is a hero you can really root for. Sonny Chiba is more of a stoic villain in this movie. He is highly skilled and merciless. There is a scene where his character is torturing Takamaru, and it gets pretty painful (if you are a male, you will especially feel it)! It is always great to see Etsuko Shihomi kicking butt in movies, and she does a lot of that in Shogun's Ninja! She is a strong woman who wants to help Takamaru any way she can.

The plot is kind of basic (finding the twin daggers, which has a map to treasure engraved on them), but it really doesn't need a deep story when it has so much action in it. Takamaru just wants revenge, Shiranui Shōgen wants the daggers, and therefore the treasure and the power. Hattori Hanzō wants the daggers for the treasure, so he sends his sister to steal them. Since Otsu grew up with Takamaru, we are unsure of her motives throughout the movie. It's an interesting scenario. The resolution to everything is pretty fitting, I feel.

I have been looking for this movie for years! It's been decades since I last watched it on late night cable TV (TNT). These are the only things I could clearly remember about the movie: it was called "Ninja's Revenge", there were ninjas who crawled up and down trees like spiders, a female martial arts fighter ripped her pants when fighting some bad guys, the main character looked similar to Jackie Chan, and the main villain was played by Sonny Chiba. I looked everywhere for this movie, but as you can imagine, I wasn't finding anything under the "Ninja's Revenge" title. Finally, I see Shogun's Ninja on the American streaming site Tubi, I read the description, and I take a chance on it. Everything I remembered from back then happened in this movie! What a feeling it is when you find something after years of being unsuccessful looking for it. The only thing I didn't remember was the soundtrack to this movie. It has a very funky, jazzy soundtrack. The music is okay, I guess, but it is surprising for this type of movie! It was better than I remembered, that's for sure!

There is a lot of crazy ninja action in Shogun's Ninja!

There is a lot of action in Shogun's Ninja!  Hiroyuki Sanada gets to strut his stuff throughout the movie. His first fight in the movie is a good display of his hand to hand combat skills. He fights off a group of thugs with ease, and he does some sweet kicks and acrobatics in the process. In later fights, he mainly uses his dagger(s), which he is very proficient at. Sonny Chiba's character is a ruthless fighter, and one of his special moves is forming a human tower with twin fighters. It's very cool to see it in action! Etsuko Shihomi is great in this, and mainly uses nunchakus against her enemies. There are ninja battles high in the trees, with ninjas falling to their deaths. Lots of bloody action as well, with limbs flying and blood spurting. The action is very good in Shogun's Ninja!

If you like ninja action, swordplay, and historical Japanese stories, I think you would enjoy Shogun's Ninja. I think it is a very entertaining and enjoyable movie. This may not be considered one of Sonny Chiba's or Hiroyuki Sanada's best movies, but they are great in it. What a lead role debut for Hiroyuki Sanada in Shogun's Ninja. He really gets to show his physical talents in this, and it is like a preview of the greatness he would later achieve in movies like Ninja In The Dragon's Den (1982) and Royal Warriors (1986). Check out Shogun's Ninja, it's a wild ride!

Reviewed by David Williams

Raging Fire (2021) - A Review

Raging Fire was director Benny Chan's final film. He left us a good one!

Raging Fire is a martial arts/action movie released in China and Hong Kong in 2021, starring Donnie Yen, Nicholas Tse, Ray Lui Leung-Wai, Ben Lam Kwok-Bun, Ken Lo Wai-Kwong, and Yu Kang. It was directed by Benny Chan (in his final film), with action directed by Donnie Yen.

Donnie Yen as Bong Cheung. He always does the right thing.

In Raging Fire, Donnie Yen plays Bong Cheung, an unwavering righteous cop who refuses to deal with the shady parts of being in the Hong Kong police force. After refusing to work with some powerful (and shady) businessmen, Bong and his team are left out of a drug bust, where all of the police officers involved get killed by a crew of masked men. The men who killed these police officers are experts in their field of robbery and assassination. These masked men have a past with Bong Cheung.

Yau Kong-ngo (played by Nicholas Tse) is the leader of these masked thieves, and he has little patience for mistakes. We find out through flashbacks how Yau and Bong know each other, and why Yau and his crew are killing certain people in brutal fashion. Bong and his team have to find out who is killing these people, and stop them before they kill their next victim. As you can imagine, the conflict becomes personal between Bong Cheung and Yau Kong-ngo, and it becomes inevitable that they will have to face each other one last time...

Nicholas Tse as Ngo. He is one cool, calculated, and vicious villain.

Raging Fire is really good! It has great action, complex characters, and an interesting (if a bit basic) story. Donnie Yen plays the stoic, righteous cop who loves his wife. His character is put in tough situations, morally and physically. You really root for his character to overcome the odds that are stacked against him. Nicholas  Tse plays the morally corrupt villain who will do anything to get what he wants. He is cool, calm (for the most part), collected... and also vicious. Through flashbacks we find out how he became this way, which is pretty tragic. He is a ruthless criminal, though, so my empathy for him was limited. You can tell Bong and Yau respect each other, but their difference in morality will keep them at odds. Great performances from Donnie and Nicholas.

One thing I really liked about this movie was the scene where it shows Bong's battered and bruised body after a fight, and his wife's reaction to it, and his response to her reaction. It's something that's not regularly shown in action movies, and it really brings home the consequences of being in a fight. I also liked the flashbacks; they give the backstory of all the characters, and where their motivations come from. I can't believe some reviews complaining about the amount of flashbacks. I had no problem with them (everyone is different, though). Also, there are some parts of this movie that remind me of Jackie Chan's New Police Story (2004), which was also directed by Benny Chan.

The action in Raging Fire is top notch!

Plain and simple: The action in Raging Fire rocks! There are two main fight scenes and one shoot out, and as you can imagine, they are hard-hitting and intense. The first fight scene involves Bong being surrounded and majorly outnumbered! Bong has to fight his way out to safety, and he does not hold back against his numerous opponents. In the shoot out, it's Bong's squad against Yau's crew, and there's bullets and explosions galore. The shoot out is intense, and there aren't many that are left unscathed. The final fight between Bong and Yau is awesome. There are hard-hitting strikes, grappling, and weapons involved. There is even a little callback to SPL (2005) when Bong reveals his weapon of choice. This fight is brutal, actually and worth the price of admission. Really great stuff in this fight. There is more action in Raging Fire, I just highlighted the major scenes.

As you can guess, I highly recommend Raging Fire! It is the epitome of modern Hong Kong action. Interesting plot, complex characters, and incredible action. What more could you want? Benny Chan's last movie is one he can be proud of. Raging Fire also shows how always doing the right thing is actually very difficult. You have to deal with the consequences, and deal with those who prefer to take the easy way out. Nonetheless, Raging Fire is just great entertainment!

Reviewed by David Williams

[Fight Scene Friday] Ryōseibai (Both Sides Are at Fault) I ゲスの極み乙女。- ロマンスがありあまる

 This week's Fight Scene Friday™ scene is from the Lazy Brown Productions crew! This short film has a who's who in martial arts actors/actresses on the indie film scene! This also has some sweet music as well! As you can imagine, the choreography is excellent, since Emmanuel Manzanares is at the helm. Check it out!

 

Last Resort (2022) - Official Trailer

 Check out the trailer for Last Resort, an action movie starring John Foo! Here is the synopsis:

A former special forces soldier becomes a one-man-army when his wife and daughter are taken hostage during a bank robbery. As he brutally neutralizes the gang of thieves, the lives of millions hang in the balance when a highly lethal toxin is stolen from the vault. The Last Resort is an intense action thriller powered by breathtaking fight choreography.

Jean-Marc Minéo wrote and directed Last Resort, and it stars Foo, Alex Santi, Clayton Norcross, Julaluck Ismalone, and Angelina Ismalone. It comes out in select theaters on January 6, 2023 and comes out on demand on January 10, 2023. This movie looks pretty intriguing, I must admit. I hope the action is as good as it seems to be in the trailer!

 

Arahan (2004) - A Review

 

This Korean comedy kicks butt!

Arahan is a martial arts/fantasy/comedy movie released in South Korea in 2004 and stars Ryoo Seung-bum, Yoon So-yi, Ahn Sung-ki, Jung Doo-hong, Yoon Joo-sang, Kim Ji-young, and Ahn Gil-kang. Arahan was directed by Ryoo Seung-wan, with fight choreography by Jung Doo-hong.

Ryoo Seung-bum as Sang-hwan (in the middle). He is such a dork in this!

In Arahan, Ryoo Seung-bum plays Sang-hwan, a dorky, less than graceful rookie police officer who wants to do the right thing in his job. One day, he chases after a robber escaping on a motorcycle, but gets injured by Wi-jin (played by Yoon So-yi), a skilled martial artist, after she throws an errant Palm Blast at him. She takes Sang-hwan to her house, where her father Ja-woon (played by Ahn Sung-ki), a Tao master and the other masters use acupuncture needles to revive him and release his chi. After he recovers, he immediately shows signs that he could be the person the Tao masters are looking for to be the inspiration for martial artists around the world and become the Maruchi. The Tao masters and Wi-jin begin training him in martial arts.

Meanwhile, an old man is found meditating behind a subway wall. He escapes, and starts taking out the Tao masters who are helping Sang-hwan. This old master, Heug-woon (played by Jung Doo-hong), is looking for the key, which he suspects the Tao masters are hiding. He wants the key to restore order in the world. Sang-hwan and Wi-jin are the only ones who can stand up to him, but they are not on the same page, and Sang-hwan may not even be emotionally or mentally ready for this battle...

Yoon So-yi as Wi-jin (left) and Sang-hwan.They have great, awkward chemistry together.

Arahan is another movie I heard about in the early 2000s, and I always looked for it in my local video store but could never find it. I forgot about it eventually, but I found it on a streaming site recently, and the name came back to me. So, did Arahan live up to the hype? I would say, definitely! This movie is very enjoyable with awesome action. It is mainly a comedy, very similar to Stephen Chow's Shaolin Soccer or Kung Fu Hustle. It also reminded me of the classic 80s Hong Kong martial arts comedies. As you can imagine, I enjoyed the comedy very much (though, comedy is subjective, so you may not find it funny). The comedy is very silly, and I appreciated the references to Power Rangers, My Lucky Stars, and Dragon Ball. Was not expecting those getting shout outs! Though there is a lot of comedy in Arahan, it does get serious towards the end, when our heroes face their biggest challenge. The back story is very interesting and gives a reason for the conflict.

Ryoo Seung-bum is hilarious as Sang-hwan. He plays the well-meaning dork so effectively. Even though he seems weak and useless, he is a good guy. He gets beat up and humiliated for doing his job dealing with a gang. He goes through some harsh training, which he does not seem to be benefiting from (until he does). Sang-hwan is very easy to root for. Yoon So-yi as Wi-jin is great as well. She is a very strong and determined young woman woman, and she is very skilled in the martial arts. She has no time for Sang-hwan's foolishness. She understands the danger the world is in when Heug-woon returns, and is hard on Sang-hwan for not taking it seriously. Sang-hwan and Wi-jin are great in their scenes together. Finally, Jung Doo-hong as Heug-woon is one menacing villain. He doesn't say much, but he doesn't have to when he's defeating the Tao masters like they're nothing. You may feel a little sympathy for his character...but not much.

The action in Arahan is really good!

There are two main fight scenes in Arahan, and they are really good! The first fight scene is when we finally see how good Sang-hwan has become. The fight is fast and hard-hitting. It is very much influenced by the Hong Kong fight scenes of the 80s. Ryoo Seung-bum seems to be an actual martial artist, and he really gets to show his stuff in that fight scene. The end fight is more of an epic battle, with a lot of wire-work and special effects. It's a hard-hitting fight that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Jung Doo-hong is unstoppable in this fight! The other action in this movie are in short little bursts, and in the training sequences. Though there are only two fights, they are worth waiting for.

When I watched Arahan, I did not know what to expect. What I ended up watching was a hilarious martial arts action movie that I recommend to anyone that loves comedy, martial arts, or Asian cinema. Though this movie was released in 2004, it seems very modern. The CGI is actually pretty good, too. The plot is interesting, the comedy is funny, and the action is fun. What's not to like? Check out Arahan, it's a jolly good time!

Reviewed by David Williams

[Fight Scene Friday] Battle Of Brothers (2020) - Shaw Brothers Martial Arts Action Short Film

 This week's Fight Scene Friday™ scene is a tribute to the classic Shaw Brothers and Golden Harvest movies of the 70s and 80s. It is a story based on the legendary Wong Fei-hung, and a battle to see who is the best at Hung Ga kung fu. You see a lot of the classic/legendary moves (including a certain kick) Wong Fei-hung is known for in this short film. David Vuong directed, with Andy Trieu and David Vuong starring in it! Check it out! This is really good!

 

HYDRA (2021) - Movie Trailer

 Check out the trailer for HYDRA, an action/crime/thriller film released in Japan in 2021. Here is the synopsis:

After retiring as an assassin, Takashi leads a quiet life as a chef at a sushi bar, where he secretly watches over the daughter of a former associate. His peace is short-lived: soon, he is recruited for a final job that he simply can’t refuse.

HYDRA stars Masanori Mimoto, Miu, Tasuku Nagase, Takaya Aoyagi, and Takashi Nishina; and was directed by Kensuke Sonomura. It is available to watch in America on Digital (streaming), Blu-ray and DVD right now! This looks really good! The action looks like it's going to rock! I have to get this on Blu-Ray!