The Paper Tigers

I'd like to mention my Asian-American heritage as a preface to this because it's the foundation for the enjoyment I got out of watching this movie.

This movie was originally pitched to Hollywood studios who wouldn't allow them a proper budget nor a non-white actor as the lead character (they wanted Bruce Willis and Nicolas Cage, I can't make this up, look it up), and I'm really glad they didn't take the deal.

The cast had great chemistry, the characters were memorable for the most part (would've liked a bit more depth to each of the 3 main characters), and the writing didn't feel pandering, and managed to maintain balance between humor and drama.

But most importantly, I can't tell you how refreshing it is to just watch a movie where Asian-Americans aren't highlighted for being Asian; the two Asian-American characters were written as Asian-American, and not just "Asian". They had Asian-American flaws, jokes, interests, even language.

The premise of this movie makes it easy to dismiss this as "just another Asian martial arts movie", but I promise it's got much more to it than that. This is definitely a movie I'd recommend to anyone.

Definitely not a mediocre film. I knew not to expect an Ip Man or Bloodsport type of movie. I smiled and laughed throughout film.

A wonderful movie, comedy with some drama, any guy who watched action movies with martial arts and/or practiced will really enjoy this, especially if your in your over 40, as the story is about few guys who were kong fu fighters in the 90s in there youth and today, after retired from practicing for many years, are living the boring lives of middle aged men in America, stuck with their daily routines and mediocrity, until an event is forcing them to return to their true nature of kong fu. Lot's of funny moments and scenes, a must watch!

May go down in history as the first successful attempt to emulate the vibe from Cobra Kai, part martial arts, part sitcom. The cast is so appealing it is hard to look away even when nothing much is happening.

Its about a 7.5 IMHO. Standard base story we've all seen many times before (in stuff like Perfect Weapon, etc), but with the whole 'got old' brand of humour thrown in. Anyone who knows any kung fu will recognize many of the things that are lampooned gently, but it never gets mean in its humour, instead being quite respectful with the treatment of its subject matter.

Casting and characters are good, fight scenes were entertaining, and generally it was well paced. Better than any of the last few Karate Kid movies.