Thanks for checking out our Forgotten Fridays feature. This is a feature to review some older films that maybe you have forgotten about or maybe never got around to seeing that we just want to share. They may not be old, maybe not forgotten, but they are not new. Just fun to share.
Today, we review No Retreat, No Surrender
Genre: Action
Directed by: Corey Yuen
Staring: Kurt McKinney, Kathie Sileno, Jean-Claude Van Damme
Released: May 2. 1986
THE GENERAL IDEA
Jason Stillwell, a Bruce Lee fan, is beaten numerous times and trains from the ghost of Lee. Jason then must use his newly acquired skills to save Seattle from a crime syndicate, whose top martial artist is the deadly Ivan.
THE GOOD
Nothing. But that’s what makes this work so well. Its a bad movie, bad acting, and cheesey as all hell.
The guy gets trained by the ghost of Bruce Lee! Jason’s getting serious!!
That and this is the first actual role for Jean Claude Van Damme. While Van Damme was in Breakin as an extra 2 years before this (and a couple French films), this is his first role as a character in the film. Mind you, he is just the hired martial arts thug for a crime lord, and doesn’t speak in the movie short of some now iconic Van Damme grunts and splits, this is his first role.
THE BAD
Everything. But its so bad its good. Honestly. I cant call it bad when it contributes to the super cheese of this film.
OVERALL
So bad its good, you have to see it. And if you are a Van Damme fan and HAVEN’T seen it, then shame on you.
If you can find it, rent it. If I see this, its getting bought. I still cant find it in stores.
Since all of these Forgotten Friday reviews are going to be what I would already give a high rating to, I had a Tv, Rent or Buy scale going on, but it would seem that an overwhelming majority of my picks get a BUY rating. So with every Forgotten Friday you see from now on, you get to rate your anticipation for yourself!
TV – If you are at least a little curious, catch it if it comes on TV.
Rent – If it is something you have heard of and forgotten, or just remember enjoying this as much as I did once upon a time, go rent it.
Buy – But if you are like me, and you agree with my review you should go buy it. If its featured here, I already have.
