"Here are the rules: In the ring, there are no rules"
Added 7/31/2009
"Shootfighter" is among those included in a short list of films - including No Retreat No Surrender [VHS] and "The King of the Kickboxers", among others - that are universally venerated among martial arts fans but that few folks have actually seen. Usually, the movies on this list live up to their legend and are worth paying the chunk of change they go for nowadays on Amazon or eBay, but in the case of this karate spectacle that mixes hand-to-hand combat with weapons, I'm not entirely convinced I got my money's worth. Sure, the fighting beats the crud out of many a modern Steven Seagal or Van Damme flick, and there's a lot to be said for a film that accumulates such a large roster of legitimate kung fu talent...but as far as dynamism, utilization of resources, and actual fighting is concerned, I have seen better.
The story: Nick (Michael Bernardo, "WMAC Masters") and Ruben (William Zabka, High Voltage) are two karate-practicing buddies who misguidedly fall into the world of illegal shootfighting by way of an underground tournament concocted by the evil Mr. Lee (Martin Kove, The Karate Kid). Stuck in a circuit where the only way out is as champion or corpse, it's up to their Master Shingo (Bolo Yeung, Bloodsport) to get them out...but doing so would involve facing his past, his personal demons, and the man who killed his best friend.
On the surface, "Shootfighter" appears to be a superior low-budget actioneer: the acting isn't great but is far from sucking, the premise ties into modern society's obsession with mixed martial arts, and - my goodness! - just look at that roster of fighters! In addition to Yeung, Kove, Bernardo, and Zabka, there's Hakim Alston and Chris Casamassa (Mortal Kombat), John Barrett (American Kickboxer 1), Erik Betts ("WMAC Masters"), Thunderwolf (Bloodmatch [VHS]), Kisu ("Big Bad Beetleborgs")...and that's only considering the fighters that are given an introduction; most of the guys are legitimate kung fu champions and practitioners and could probably have put on the same show in real life as they did in the movie. What's more impressive, though, is their mastery of weapons: quarterstaffs, rattan sticks, sickles, spears, nunchukas, and swords are called forth to increase the level of violence, which occasionally peaks at gory levels that include a shredded throat, a snapped forearm, and a ripped-out heart.
With that being said, consider that the movie works better as a cumulative spectacle than as a collection of them: of the `round fifteen fights, no single one stands out in particular (with the possible exception of a nunchuka vs. rattan sticks encounter involving Kazja Patschull), due to the fights being either too short, featuring too many pauses inbetween the action, and/or the insistence on implied "realism" that takes away much of the ebb and flow of the encounters. There are plenty of cool moves, mind you, but these are generally limited to one or two per fight, and it's harder to appreciate these on their own than as of a well-rounded battle. Also, seeing as he's more or less the headlining name among the cast, it's particularly disappointing that the still-muscular Bolo Yeung has two of the worst fights of the movie, the second against baddie Martin Kove.
During the end credits, Yeung is shown practicing tai chi on a beach, and this alone is prettier and more impressive than any fight in the movie, as far as I'm concerned. When it comes to a film like this, all that matters is the action: simplistic storylines and bad acting can be forgiven if the kicks and punches are awesome, as was the case in, say, "Bloodsport", but even though this film was definitely inspired by that one, it has a lot to learn about just letting its fighters duke it out to the end. Give it a buy if you're an enthusiast, but otherwise, mainstream Hollywood has already surpassed "Shootfighter".
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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BOLO the hero?
Added 10/4/2008
This movie is pure nostalgia if you remember the first Karate Kid. The Cobra Kai are back in action. This movie also features BOLO as the hero and has a few WMAC camios.
The one thing I don't get is that BOLO is chinese, but his character "Shingo" has a japanese name. BOLO is well versed in Tai Chi, but his character is a substitute teacher at a karate school.
Despite the ignorance of the script, there is enough action to make up for these flaws.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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intense must-see martial arts action
Added 8/19/2006
Shootfighter is just about the best American-made martial arts movie ever. There is a decent story, good characters (2 from the Karate Kid movies), lots of action, and superb cage fighting - with weapons.
The movie begins in Hong Kong, with Shingo (played by Bolo Yeung) and Lee (played by Martin Kove) who are about to fight off in the Shootfighter finals. Before Lee makes it to Shingo, he is banned from Shootfighting for killing his prior opponent. Lee begins his own Shootfighting tournament in Mexico, with weapons in the final round. In order to regain his honor, Lee lures 2 of Shingo's students (William Zakba and Michael Bernardino) to participate in the tournament in hopes that Shingo will follow.
The fighting in the movie is extreme and intense, especially the weapons matches in the final round. There is plenty of blood and some gore, and the fights are lengthy, look real, and are evenly matched. There is also a lot of wonderful choreography. The finals alone last for about the final 30 minutes of the film. The scene for the tournament is in a pretty decent looking locale: an underground caged ring with a screaming dinner audience of betters.
As far as the characters go, the movie has a decent list. Most notable are Martin Kove and William Zakba from the Karate Kid movies. There are also a couple of good fighters from other movies, played by John Barret (American Kickboxer 1) and Thunderwolf (Bloodmatch). Most of the acting isn't too bad, but there are cheesy moments. Unfortunately, if you are a fan of Bolo Yeung, this is not his best role. He doesn't do the good guy much justice, especially with the plenty of dumb one-liners he has. He does get a chance to kick some butt pretty good in the end though.
Overall, Shootfighter is fast paced and above average quality as far as American-made martial art movies go. If you are looking for some of the most intense fights, look no further. This is easily an hour and half of enjoyable movie watching.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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The true art of shootfighting.
Added 10/6/2003
I am sure that 9 out of 10 reviews you will find about this movie will define it as CRAPPY, TERRIBLY BAD or even worse, but to me it is quite a great product.
While the editing sucks, that I admit, the action will make you breathlees; the fights are perfectly coreographed, and the blood factor will leave blood-thirsty people more than happy.
Here's the story:
Shingo, a great Shootfighter, has reached the finals of the tournament after beating his opponent quite easely. The other semifinal match will confront Mr. Lee and Shingo's buddy.
Despite threwing a few punches, Shingo's friend finds himself in front of a very powerful fighter, who, after punching him as if he was a PC that has just broken down, rips the poor guy's throat. Mr. Lee is then banned from Shootfighting, and decides to star his own Shootfighting bussiness in Mexico.
Ruben and Nick, Shingo's karate students,and two great fighters, are tracked by Mr. Lee who, decided to take revenge from Shingo, convinces them of participating in Shootfighting, and of course the excitement for no-ruled fighting, and the need of money (typical!) will make them sign up in a tournament where defeat means DEATH.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Extreme!!!
Added 11/14/2001
Enter the most merciless combat arena ever imagined, as international martial arts wizard BOLO YEUNG stars with WILLIAM ZABKA, MARTIN KOVE, EDWARD ALBERT JR., and MARYAM D'ABO in this bone-crushing, full contact action spectacular! Karate Champions Ruben and Nick are lured by the menacing Mr. Lee across the border to compete as "shootfighters," a forbidden sport so brutal it's banned from the civilized world. But when Ruben and Nick are forced to face each other in the ring, they realize they're only pawns in Lee's deadly masterplan: a final, fight to the death grudge match between Lee and the legendary founding father and unconquered king of shootfighting - Shingo.
1 out of 2 people found this helpful.
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"Here are the rules: In the ring, there are no rules"
Added 7/31/2009
"Shootfighter" is among those included in a short list of films - including No Retreat No Surrender [VHS] and "The King of the Kickboxers", among others - that are universally venerated among martial arts fans but that few folks have actually seen. Usually, the movies on this list live up to their legend and are worth paying the chunk of change they go for nowadays on Amazon or eBay, but in the case of this karate spectacle that mixes hand-to-hand combat with weapons, I'm not entirely convinced I got my money's worth. Sure, the fighting beats the crud out of many a modern Steven Seagal or Van Damme flick, and there's a lot to be said for a film that accumulates such a large roster of legitimate kung fu talent...but as far as dynamism, utilization of resources, and actual fighting is concerned, I have seen better.
The story: Nick (Michael Bernardo, "WMAC Masters") and Ruben (William Zabka, High Voltage) are two karate-practicing buddies who misguidedly fall into the world of illegal shootfighting by way of an underground tournament concocted by the evil Mr. Lee (Martin Kove, The Karate Kid). Stuck in a circuit where the only way out is as champion or corpse, it's up to their Master Shingo (Bolo Yeung, Bloodsport) to get them out...but doing so would involve facing his past, his personal demons, and the man who killed his best friend.
On the surface, "Shootfighter" appears to be a superior low-budget actioneer: the acting isn't great but is far from sucking, the premise ties into modern society's obsession with mixed martial arts, and - my goodness! - just look at that roster of fighters! In addition to Yeung, Kove, Bernardo, and Zabka, there's Hakim Alston and Chris Casamassa (Mortal Kombat), John Barrett (American Kickboxer 1), Erik Betts ("WMAC Masters"), Thunderwolf (Bloodmatch [VHS]), Kisu ("Big Bad Beetleborgs")...and that's only considering the fighters that are given an introduction; most of the guys are legitimate kung fu champions and practitioners and could probably have put on the same show in real life as they did in the movie. What's more impressive, though, is their mastery of weapons: quarterstaffs, rattan sticks, sickles, spears, nunchukas, and swords are called forth to increase the level of violence, which occasionally peaks at gory levels that include a shredded throat, a snapped forearm, and a ripped-out heart.
With that being said, consider that the movie works better as a cumulative spectacle than as a collection of them: of the `round fifteen fights, no single one stands out in particular (with the possible exception of a nunchuka vs. rattan sticks encounter involving Kazja Patschull), due to the fights being either too short, featuring too many pauses inbetween the action, and/or the insistence on implied "realism" that takes away much of the ebb and flow of the encounters. There are plenty of cool moves, mind you, but these are generally limited to one or two per fight, and it's harder to appreciate these on their own than as of a well-rounded battle. Also, seeing as he's more or less the headlining name among the cast, it's particularly disappointing that the still-muscular Bolo Yeung has two of the worst fights of the movie, the second against baddie Martin Kove.
During the end credits, Yeung is shown practicing tai chi on a beach, and this alone is prettier and more impressive than any fight in the movie, as far as I'm concerned. When it comes to a film like this, all that matters is the action: simplistic storylines and bad acting can be forgiven if the kicks and punches are awesome, as was the case in, say, "Bloodsport", but even though this film was definitely inspired by that one, it has a lot to learn about just letting its fighters duke it out to the end. Give it a buy if you're an enthusiast, but otherwise, mainstream Hollywood has already surpassed "Shootfighter".
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
BOLO the hero?
Added 10/4/2008
This movie is pure nostalgia if you remember the first Karate Kid. The Cobra Kai are back in action. This movie also features BOLO as the hero and has a few WMAC camios.
The one thing I don't get is that BOLO is chinese, but his character "Shingo" has a japanese name. BOLO is well versed in Tai Chi, but his character is a substitute teacher at a karate school.
Despite the ignorance of the script, there is enough action to make up for these flaws.
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
|
intense must-see martial arts action
Added 8/19/2006
Shootfighter is just about the best American-made martial arts movie ever. There is a decent story, good characters (2 from the Karate Kid movies), lots of action, and superb cage fighting - with weapons.
The movie begins in Hong Kong, with Shingo (played by Bolo Yeung) and Lee (played by Martin Kove) who are about to fight off in the Shootfighter finals. Before Lee makes it to Shingo, he is banned from Shootfighting for killing his prior opponent. Lee begins his own Shootfighting tournament in Mexico, with weapons in the final round. In order to regain his honor, Lee lures 2 of Shingo's students (William Zakba and Michael Bernardino) to participate in the tournament in hopes that Shingo will follow.
The fighting in the movie is extreme and intense, especially the weapons matches in the final round. There is plenty of blood and some gore, and the fights are lengthy, look real, and are evenly matched. There is also a lot of wonderful choreography. The finals alone last for about the final 30 minutes of the film. The scene for the tournament is in a pretty decent looking locale: an underground caged ring with a screaming dinner audience of betters.
As far as the characters go, the movie has a decent list. Most notable are Martin Kove and William Zakba from the Karate Kid movies. There are also a couple of good fighters from other movies, played by John Barret (American Kickboxer 1) and Thunderwolf (Bloodmatch). Most of the acting isn't too bad, but there are cheesy moments. Unfortunately, if you are a fan of Bolo Yeung, this is not his best role. He doesn't do the good guy much justice, especially with the plenty of dumb one-liners he has. He does get a chance to kick some butt pretty good in the end though.
Overall, Shootfighter is fast paced and above average quality as far as American-made martial art movies go. If you are looking for some of the most intense fights, look no further. This is easily an hour and half of enjoyable movie watching.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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