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 The Best of the Best
Genre: Action
Directed by: Robert Radler
Staring: Eric Roberts, Phillip Rhee, James Earl Jones, Chris Penn, John Dye, David Agresta, Simon Rhee
Released: November 10, 1989
THE GENERAL IDEA
A team from the United States is going to compete against Korea in a Tae Kwon Do tournament. The team consists of fighters from all over the country–can they overcome their rivalry and work together to win?
THE GOOD
The national pride and sportsmanship in this movie sets it apart from the typical martial arts film. Instead of a “above the law” throw down. We get a team hand picked for the US National Karate team for an exhibition match against the Koreans. While the film shows a difference in cultures, the Koreans are not “the badguys” which is refreshing for an action film from a film in the late 80s.
The movie has some caricatured personalities but it just serves to illustrate that this hand picked team was not chosen for its personalities, but (mostly) abilities. Its their personalities that causes them conflict with each other and keeps things interesting.
The late Chris Penn is awesome in this as the cowboy Karate fighter with a temper. And the dynamic and fast paced moves of Phillip Rhee is always a pleasure to watch. But the real action is with Eric Roberts. His particular style of fighting is a lot of fun to watch.
But when you hear James Earl Jones speak it gives you shivers. This guy could recite the alphabet and its still intimidating.
The real impact is the ending. I cannot say this enough. I can’t watch this and not cry. I am man enough to admit it, but when you see the end of this movie, it will catch you off guard.
THE BAD
Sally Kirkland’s character is completely useless. If they deleted every scene she spoke in, this movie would not change at all. I don’t know why they paid her to even be on set.
Aside from that everything else in this movie is enjoyable.
OVERALL
A lot of great action, some comedy and charm. One of the few movies to move me to tears, and considering its an 80s action flick, that says a LOT about the movie.
A little trivia, Phillip Rhee wrote and stars in this, and his brother plays his adversary in the movie. I kind of wish they didn’t have to put an eyepatch on him to make him look evil. But it works.
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.
