Best of the Best

I've started to write this review several times but aborted the attempts when I found myself unable to convey the quality of this movie. Mind you, I'm not necessarily talking about its theatrical value - that part's good, too, but relative - but as its quality as a genuine martial arts movie, opposed to just an action movie with kicks. It's not the only film to attain this distinction, but the fact that it manages to do so on an adult level with a mixed cast of both acclaimed and (at the time) forthcoming stars qualifies it as the grown-up version of . If this means little or nothing to you, I advise you stop reading this review, but if you, like me, believe that the fighting arts can positively affect your life and that a good movie can be made of this concept, read on.The story: a team of professional martial artists - bearing no common ground but brought together through talent - must master themselves under the tutelage of a tough coach (James Earl Jones, ) en-route to representing the United States during the national championships and an all-or-nothing battle against the formidable Korean national team.I won't deny that the movie strays into B-grade territory every now and again. Though the rest of its fights take place on the mat in a professional capacity, the film affords itself one bar brawl, similar to something you'd see in a Van Damme movie (albeit with six Jean-Claudes instead of one). The script seriously neglects at least one of the main supporting characters (David "Sonny" Agresta), and the inclusion of one main character (Sally Kirkland of as James Earl Jones' co-trainer) is unnecessary (or at least the size of her role is, in comparison to the work she does onscreen). With that said, the movie features surprisingly strong acting for any kind of martial arts film. The cast list includes no less than three Oscar-nominees in pivotal roles (Jones, Kirkland, and Eric Roberts of ), and while they're not giving the performances of a lifetime, they and the others - including Chris Penn of - are way beyond adequate. James Earl Jones' booming voice and Eric Roberts' emotional mini-speeches readily stand out as things that would have been difficult to pull off with a lesser cast and script and immediately set it apart from wannabe films that focused more on fighting.The fighting is worth more than half a glance, however. As the freshman outing of fight choreographer and quasi-villain Simon Rhee, the series of matches are a celebration of traditional tae kwon do, emphasizing forms which are realistic even if their application isn't (though they're still more true to life than almost all other blockbuster material of the time). The fighters are all real-life practitioners and collectively good (the Korean team especially is made up of recognized masters like Ho Sik Pak and Ken Nagayama), but I find myself appreciating the husky and uncharacteristically-cast Chris Penn almost more than the rest, as he goes to show that you do not have to be physically toned to excel at throwing kicks. There are a couple training scenes about, with the fights polarized to the first and fourth quarters of the film, and yet the martial arts are the subliminal driving point of the story. Each of the major characters has clasped onto a single aspect of them - for Phillip "Tommy" Rhee ( ) it's personal desire and suffering, for John "Virgil" Dye () it's the spiritual aspects, for Chris "Travis" Penn it's the building of confidence in one's self, and so on - and throughout the movie they grasp additional aspects, therein becoming better people regardless of whether they win or lose their end matches. Some of the situations these concepts are demonstrated in may be hammy, but the emotional truth is untainted. The movie sets an upstanding example.Director Robert Radler would dedicate a good number of future martial arts flicks, but none at least with the emotional and dramatic worth of this, his magnum opus. I can honestly say that I can't think of a serious karate film buff who ought to be without this little gem; it's that good, even after twenty-two years of future films to compare it to. Buy.

Do you have what it takes?

All time karate favorite!

This is a classic. Maybe it's not the greatest overall production. But for watching some great karate fighting that's believable with a plot about champions going for It against the odds and all that. It's a great Guy movie!

I have to say, as a Bromance writer, this movie stands out as one of THE BEST Brother-Friendship stories I've ever seen, especially at the end. No Spoilers, but it will get you in touch with your heart. Some cheesy over-confident moments during the actual competition, but that is really my only peeve with the film. It's easily overlooked in lieu of the story itself. The benefits of team work and how you become a 'family' is really the main lesson that the coach is trying to drill into these guys. And what transpires is both human and real at the end. You won't be sorry to see this one, especially if, like me, you love the Brother-Friend stories that are so difficult to find these days. Oh, and... get your tissues out. You'll need them. :)

I first saw this movie when it first came out, and believe it or not i can still remember the story line and the impact it had on me as a person having only seen it once,MAYBE TWICE,this movie greatly inspired me with the message it sent. But you have to watch the whole thing, especially the last 30-45 minutes of it to really grasp what that message is. Few movies(as a grown man)have ever made me angry, want to stand up and cheer, and shed tears at the same time. if you want to see a movie with people beating each other up and killing each other just for the fun of it, then this is not the one for you, but if you enjoy a good show of competition and sportsmanship,with some "on the edge of your seat action" and a heartfelt message contained therein then i defineitly absolutley recomend this one. Lets just say you might not pay much attention to your popcorn bowl!

Buncha individuals learn how to respect themselves and team concept . We see Travis Brickley (Chris Penn) change from a obnoxious individual to a team player. We see the U.S. team take on the vastly superior Korean team . We see an act of kindness from the coach of the US team that never was kind to them before. Great story line that covers the poor editing and timing of the director. I still love it though and is on my list of movies to re-watch.

Very few movies really capture the essence of 80's karate movies, but Best of the Best whisks you away to a time where a well timed montage was absolutely necessary. As coach of the US Karate Team, Coach Cuzo had very little patience for lack of respect and poor discipline. He refused to accept anything but the best from each member of the US Karate Team, and while he greatly opposed the idea of Catherine Wade joining forces, in the end found a way to let down his guard and be nice to people.No 80's movie is complete without a really boxy looking sport bike motorcycle, and Tom Cruise sunglasses. So rest assured, both are in this movie.I cannot over recommend this movie, it is a treat to watch over and over again.

Good

Very happy 😃

super film

Film molto veritiero e in cui si comprendono bene le attitudini di auto controllo che le arti marziali devono trasmetterti; l'unica cosa ormai non si trova più in italiano.

Best of the Best ist einer der wenigen Karate Filmen die auch mal etwas Hintergrundstory haben,anstatt nur sinnlose Klopperei.Es wird auf die Hauptcharaktere gut eingegangen und man erfährt von den einzelnen Kämpfern ihre Vergangenheit und Geschichte.Interessant sind die Trainingsmethoden der beiden Gegnerischen Mannschaften;während die Amerikanische Mannschaft auf herkömmliche "Schweiß und Puste" beim laufen und im fitness Studio Training macht,stählen sich die Koreaner auf unorthodoxe Art und Weise in der Natur bei Kälte,Hitze,Wasser etc.(vergleichbar mit dem Training bei Rocky 4).Interressant ist hierbei wie ein bunt zusammengewürfelter Haufen von 1. und 2. Klassigen kämpfern so langsam ein eingespieltes Team wird.Nach anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten der Kämpfer rauft sich der Haufen bis zum Turnier zu einem eingeschworenem Team zusammen.Zu Beginn des Filmes lernt man die einzelnen Hauptfiguren bei einem Karate Turnier kennen,die beiden Hauptpersonen sind Tommy Lee,dessen älterer Bruder während eines früheren Karate Turniers von einem gefürchteten Karate meister totgeschlagen wurde.Tommy hat diesen Verlust von damals bis heute noch nicht verkraftet und will seinen Bruder rächen und nimmt an den Meisterschaften teil um am Ende des Turniers gegen den Mörder seines Bruders zu kämpfen um seine Dämonen und Ängste endlich los zu werden, um wieder normal weiterleben zu können.Die andere Hauptfigur ist Alex Grady (Eric Roberts) ein früherer Karate Meister der aufgrund einer Verletzung den Sport an den Nagel hängte und mit diesem Meister Tunier sein Comeback feiert.Nach harten Wochen des Trainings,fliegt die amerikanische Nationalmannschaft nach Korea um um den Meistertitel zu kämpfen.Das End Tunier ist sehr interressant und das Finale besonders,wenn Tommy Lee gegen den Mörder seines Bruders antritt.Mir hat der Film sehr gefallen,und ich seh ihn auch nach mehreren malen immer noch gerne.Es ist endlich mal ein film der ein wenig tiefgang hat,es geht um Emotionen,Rache,Ängste und Vergebung-wobei die Action nicht zu kurz kommt.Alles in allem ein guter Mix aus solidem Karate-Actionfilm mit ner kräftigen Prise Emotion(vergleichbar mit den Rocky Filmen).Für alle die auf Karate Action mit Handlung stehen sollten auf jeden Fall zugreifen.Fanden sie diese Rezession hilfreich ? Ja Nein